More big employers in the U.S. are offering high-deductible health plans as part of their workers' health plan options, according to a recent Watson Wyatt and National Business Group on Health survey, Reuters reports. According to the survey, which polled 585 employers, nearly 30% of large and mid-size companies currently are offering the plans, compared with 7% of companies responding to a Watson Wyatt survey in 2004. The 2006 survey also finds that 60% of companies thought high-deductible health plans would be somewhat effective in controlling health care cost increases. Further, 24% of companies required significant increases in employee contributions last year, compared with 32% who did in 2004 (Dixon, Reuters, 3/16). A press release about the survey is available online.