Health News 2003

JANUARY | 2003

• Occupational Health Programs Implement New OSHA Hearing Requirements
• January 31, 2003: Training Deadline for Medical Review Officers and DOT Urine Specimen Collectors

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FEBRUARY | 2003

• Concentra Acquires EM3

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MARCH | 2003

• SEC Charges Richard Scrushy and HealthSouth with "Massive" Fraud

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APRIL | 2003

• Brooklyn Hospital to Pay $5.425 Million to Settle Sexual Harassment Complaints Concerning Employment–Related Physical Examinations
• HIPAA Privacy Regulations Take Effect on April 14, 2003

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MAY | 2003

• President Bush Signs Smallpox Compensation Bill and Releases $100 Million to Help Jumpstart Smallpox Immunization Program

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JUNE | 2003

• Spinal Manipulation Found to Be No Better, No Worse than Other Therapies for Low Back Pain
• DOT Changes Definition of "Substituted" Specimen in Urine Drug Testing
• Bridium to Discontinue Development of ClickOn® Care Software Product
• HIPAA Rules Do Not Require Employee Disclosure Authorization in DOT Drug Testing Programs

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JULY | 2003

• More HealthSouth Executives Plead Guilty as Probe Expands

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AUGUST | 2003

• Washington State Referendum to Test Popular Support for Ergonomic Regulations

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SEPTEMBER | 2003

• CMS Delays Implementation of Mandatory Compliance with HIPAA’s Electronic Transmission Rule

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OCTOBER | 2003

• US Supreme Court Hears Arguments to Decide Long–Term Implications of a Positive Drug Test

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NOVEMBER | 2003

• Washington Voters Reject Ergonomics Rules
• National Safety Council Pulls Out of Ergonomic Standards Process
• HealthSouth’s Richard Scrushy Indicted
• Smallpox Immunization Program "Ceased"

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DECEMBER | 2003

• Workplace Illnesses and Injuries Hit Record Low in 2002

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