Aetna commits to cornerstones.

When HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt addressed the Business Roundtable summit last November (see above), he brought paper for attendees--specifically, a Purchaser Statement of Support for employers to sign, indicating their commitment to the four cornerstones of value-driven healthcare. Less than two weeks later, Aetna publicly declared itself the first health plan and one the first U.S. Fortune 100 employers to commit to purchasing healthcare for its 30,000 employees based on value, quality and efficiency. Aetna, which provides healthcare benefits to 29.8 million people, was one of the first major payers to publicly release physician-specific information on costs and quality and to provide a personal health record for covered members. In making the announcement, Aetna Chairman, CEO and President Ronald Williams said, "We are encouraging our employer clients to support the 'Four Cornerstones' because we believe that they will help employers get the most value for their healthcare dollars by directing them [toward] organizations and providers who are committed to improving the quality and value of health care in America."