Members of the Senate Budget Committee heard from Doug Elmendorf, the director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, to discuss growing concerns over long-term budget deficits, and the potential impact of health care reform on the deficit.

Senator Warner asked Elmendorf if the CBO factors in real-life examples, such as health and wellness programs adopted by many leading companies that successfully lowered the employer's health care costs.

The two discussed the example of Safeway, a regional grocery chain that has been able to control health care costs by promoting employee wellness programs. Elmendorf acknowledged programs such as these can help alter unhealthy behaviors such as smoking -- behavior that typically leads to higher health care costs.

Senator Warner also discussed his legislation addressing end-of-life issues, and asked that the CBO look into the cost-saving potential of his proposal.

Mr. Elmendorf admitted that the end-of-life area was a "gap in our health care work, and a gap we are eager to fill."

Here is the exchange: