A plan to improve healthcare and limit costs

The issue of healthcare costs usually comes up for discussion right after the economy as costs for businesses and consumers continue to climb. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association insures 102 million Americans and has networks that include 90% of the nation's providers and 80% of its hospitals. The association's board just adopted a four-point initiative aimed at containing healthcare costs and improving care, with the goals ranging from eradicating hospital infections to pushing for healthcare coverage for everyone. In this interview with the New York Times, Scott Serota, the association's president and chief executive, discusses the new goals.