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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David McDonough
Phone: 703-243-9262

HIGPA APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF SAFETY NEEDLE LEGISLATION; URGES IMMEDIATE SENATE ACTION & WHITE HOUSE SIGNATURE

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 13, 2000) - The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA) applauds the recent passage of legislation (HR 1578) in the House of Representatives that would help protect health care workers from unnecessary needlestick injuries. HIGPA commends the House for acting in a bipartisan manner to expand and codify standards for medical devices that can reduce, or even eliminate, needlestick injuries.

"The House of Representatives acted responsibly in passing the Needlestick Safety and Protection Act and I hope that the Senate moves quickly to approve companion legislation that has been introduced in that chamber," said HIGPA Executive Director Robert Betz, Ph.D. "This important bill is a positive step towards strengthening critical protections of health care workers against exposure to bloodborne pathogens that can be transmitted by accidental needlesticks."

HIGPA believes that despite the tight time considerations that Congress is operating under, HR 1578 should be quickly passed in the Senate and sent to President Clinton's desk before the legislature adjourns for the session. "Protecting hospital workers should not be delayed for any reason. Congress and the president should immediately finish the House's work and make this bill law," Betz said.

HIGPA's Trading Partner Members include many of the nation's leading health care product and medical supply manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers. HIGPA's Industry Members include for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, purchasing groups, associations, multi-hospital systems, and health care provider alliances. According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals saved patients up to $19 billion in 1999 by purchasing products through group contracts.

HIGPA is a national chartered trade association of approximately 180 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations that serve approximately three out of every four U.S. acute care hospitals, as well as most of the long term care, home care and medical group practice markets. To learn more about HIGPA, visit our web site -- www.higpa.org -- or call 703-243-9262.

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