Reuters:  “The U.S. government can save $540 billion in healthcare costs in the next decade by taking 15 steps, such as pushing use of high quality, cost-efficient doctors, a major health insurer said in a report on Wednesday.

“The UnitedHealth Group Inc policy center’s report followed the industry’s pledge to help President Barack Obama find $2 trillion in savings to help fund medical coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.

“Simon Stevens, who heads the UnitedHealth Group Center for Health Reform and Modernization, said the report “puts some flesh on the bones” of the pledge, adding that the 15 steps were being used by the insurer to save costs and could be applied to the Medicare health program for the elderly.”