A Federal program established to control wages and prices. On August 15, 1971, all wages and prices were frozen for a period of ninety days. During that period a system of wage and price controls administered through a Cost of Living Council was implemented. Controls continued, with periodic changes in the flexibility and the intensity with which they were enforced until their legislative authority ultimately expired in April, 1974. Wages and prices in the health care industry were controlled through a specialized series of regulations. The 32½ months the controls were in effect is the only period in which medical care price increases have slowed markedly- since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid; during that period increases in medical care prices were limited to 4.3 percent.