Health News 1999

JANUARY | 1999

• U.S. Court of Appeals Re–Affirms ADA Decision on HIV
• FDA Approves Celebrex—Should be Available in Six Weeks
• Justice Department Joins Suit Against Columbia/HCA

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FEBRUARY | 1999

• Aetna Verdict Heightens ERISA Debate
• Study Finds Problems with HIV Post–Exposure Prophylaxis
• Moody’s Lowers Concentra’s Credit Rating
• NovaCare to Restructure
• New Web Site to Feature Practice Guidelines
• Supreme Court Developments: Hears Workers Compensation Arguments and Decides to Further Clarify ADA

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MARCH | 1999

• US Supreme Court Upholds Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Reform
• Continuing Medical Education Poised to Undergo Dramatic Change
• Concentra Agrees to Be Acquired
• US–Canada Accord on Drivers Takes Effect March 30, 1999
• Application of New Drug Testing Opiate Threshold Levels Not Uniform in Non–Federal Programs
• IRS Questions Tax–Exempt Status in Mergers
• Clinton Administration to Propose New Protections for Workplace Whistleblowers

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APRIL | 1999

• US Supreme Court Justices Ponder ADA Definitions
• Proposed Ergonomics Standard Meets Strong Opposition

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MAY | 1999

• HealthPower Announces Acquisition of Anthem’s Workers’ Compensation MCO
• OSHA Notifies High Risk Workplaces
• OSHA Announces to Combat Needle Sticks
• FDA Approves Vioxx

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JUNE | 1999

• 10th Circuit Court: ADA Provides Preference to Disabled Workers in Re–assignment for Vacant Job
• HealthSouth Board Gives Preliminary Approval to Split Outpatient and Inpatient Operations
• US Supreme Court Substantially Limits Reach of ADA

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JULY | 1999

• Showdown Nearing on Ergonomics Standard
• Jury Finds Two Columbia/HCA Executives Guilty of Fraud
• California Law Mandating Safety Needles Takes Effect
• HeathSouth Sues On–Line Critics

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AUGUST | 1999

• Congressional Opponents Win Battle over OSHA Ergonomic Standard
• DEA Reclassification of Marinol® Raises Concerns for Medical Review Officers
• NovaCare to Restructure and Sell Occupational Health Business
• Concentra Stockholders Approve Merger
• New Study Finds High Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Symptoms in the General Population

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SEPTEMBER | 1999

• Occupational Physicians Lose Turf Battle over Medical Examinations
• HealthSouth Changes Course, Announces Reorganization, Is Downgraded and Loses 28% of Value in One Day

OCTOBER | 1999

• NovaCare Sells Occupational Health Business
• Rate of Positive Workplace Drug Tests

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NOVEMBER | 1999

• UnitedHealth Group’s Decision Re–Shapes Managed Care
• OSHA Revises Bloodborne Pathogens Compliance Directive
• New Study Provides Insight into Chronic Pain
• OSHA Unveils Ergonomics Program Standard

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DECEMBER | 1999

• NIOSH Issues Needlestick Alert
• Columbia/HCA Executive Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
• OSHA’s Adoption of CDC Recommendations Makes Occupational Medicine Clinics Re–Evaluate their Methods of Treating Previous Hepatitis B Immunization Non–Responders
• Workplace Illnesses and Injuries Hit a New Low in 1998

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