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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Hickey
Phone: 703-243-9262

Arlington, VA (October 30, 2002) - Two Washington DC-based consultants-Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy & Strategy Associates and Marvin Cetron, Ph.D., president of Forecasting International-informed the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association's (HIGPA) 2002 International EXPO attendees on the current trends and drivers influencing the health care system.

Mr. Laszewski stated that health care trends are "driven by policy and the market." There is no consensus on policy and regulations, therefore there will be no major changes coming from Washington in the next several years. Change will likely be driven by the market with smaller issues getting attention, said Laszewski.

Dr. Cetron's presentation focused on the trends and their implications to the health care system-such as life expectancy, consumerism, changes in the economy, medical advances, late retirement and future generations. For an industry that is undergoing changes so rapidly and experiences pervasive influence from the government and other external forces, Dr. Cetron recommended that health care leaders direct the course of change by anticipating important issues and react appropriately to regulators, lawmakers and other influential parties.

Following Mr. Laszewski and Dr. Cetron's discussion, Allan Fine, principal of Peterson Consulting and Candace Littell, president of the Littell Group, Inc., paralleled this discussion to insurance reimbursements for new medical technologies. Both recommended to the audience, composed of executives from leading health care companies, strategic guidelines for ensuring their new product is covered under public and private insurance plans. The four speakers spoke on October 18, during the Third General Session.

HIGPA's annual International EXPO was held this year in Orlando, Florida. Over 640 executives and senior managers from health care related companies attended this three-day educational and networking event, including leading Silver Sponsors Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Merck & Company.

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of approximately 165 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations. HIGPA's Industry Members include purchasing groups, associations, and health care provider alliances. HIGPA's Trading Partner members include many of the world's leading health care product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers. According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals save patients over $30 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.

To learn more about HIGPA or the group purchasing industry, visit www.higpa.org or call 703-243-9262.

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