Hospital Costs pg.A25  
heightened cost conscious behavior mitigated the inflationary problemÛÓcausing the rate of increase in hospital costs to turn down before the introduction wage-price controls.</br></br>Our hospitals are actively engaged in efforts to contain their costs by continuing to improve their management techniques, installing cost control programs, and focusing on ways to increase the efficiency of their operations.</br></br>Currently, the hospital industry is successfully performing a dual role: It is holding the line on price increases, while at the same time maintaining the high quality of care which the people of this country deserve and expect.</br></br>As president of the American Hospital Association and on behalf of its 7,-000 member hospitals, I would like to set the record straight regarding the performance of the hospital industry in combating inflation.</br></br>Contrary to the article by John Twiname (ÛÏHealth Costs: Out of Control/Ûª Post, Aug. 11), hospitals are continuing to act responsibly and are exercising self-restraint in containing price increases.