Summary:
G.M., which is one of the biggest providers of health insurance outside of the federal government, said it would reduce its health care liabilities by about $15 billion, or 25 percent, under the deal with the U.A.W. The company’s annual expense for providing medical care for 750,000 employees, retirees and their family members would decrease by $3 billion before taxes.

The company has been losing market share to foreign rivals that operate at lower costs, partly because Japan, Germany and other governments provide universal health care for all their citizens.