The costs of medical care continue to escalate and are a matter of grave national concern. Inflation, recent adjustments in salaries for workers who previously were underpaid and the great surge in public demands for increased services are important factors. In addition, surgical care in particular is criticized because operative procedures are expensive and often require new, costly equipment as well as highly trained personnel. It is imperative that these costs be controlled. The American Surgical Association (ASA) is convinced that surgeons must involve themselves deeply in these efforts and makes the following recommendations: Surgeons should participate actively and co-operate . . .