Nov 25, 2002
Guidant Applauds HHS Advisory Committee's Regulatory Reform Recommendations

Reforms to Promote Patient Access to Advanced Medical Technologies

Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, commends the report of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform intended to improve the quality of and patient access to health care.

The 255 recommendations are detailed in a report entitled "Bringing Common Sense to Health Care Regulation: Final Report of the Secretary''s Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform" that was presented to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson during the Committee''s final meeting in Washington, D.C. The report is posted on the HHS website at http://www.regreform.hhs.gov/meetinginfo/finalreport.htm.

"We applaud Secretary Thompson for his leadership in convening this group to address important issues that are affecting the quality of health care received by all Americans," commented Ronald W. Dollens, president and CEO, Guidant Corporation. "When implemented, the reforms will foster continued medical innovation that will save and improve patient lives."

Key recommendations include:

• Promoting coordination between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expedite independent reviews of innovative technologies;

• Improving the Medicare coverage process, and maintaining a strong local coverage process;

• Promoting greater use of reliable third-party clinical data in coverage and payment decisions.

"We were pleased to contribute to the work of this committee. While its members represented diverse segments of the health care sector, the committee was focused on identifying unnecessarily burdensome and duplicative regulations that impede beneficiary access to quality care and stifle medical innovation. We are particularly pleased with the provisions adopted by the committee to advance FDA and CMS coordination," continued Dollens. "As HHS moves forward in implementing these recommendations, Guidant will work with the department to ensure that progress is realized."

Dollens represented the medical technology sector while serving on this committee of leaders from across the health care industry.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of more than 10,000 employees, develops, manufactures and markets a broad array of products and services that enable less invasive care for some of life''s most threatening medical conditions. For more information visit www.guidant.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information about Guidant, including its products and services, please visit the company''s newsroom at www.guidant.com/newsroom.