O2 Science teams with Nevada Respiratory

TEMPE, Ariz. - O2 Science, a regional provider of respiratory services and home healthcare products, forged a joint venture last month with Nevada Respiratory, based in Las Vegas. Nevada Respiratory has been providing respiratory care and services throughout the Las Vegas area for three years. "The combination of Nevada Respiratory's resources with those of O2 Science will create a stronger, well equipped provider, and patients will witness firsthand the benefits from the alliance of our two organizations," added John Russo, Nevada Respiratory's founder. O2 Science operates 13 locations in the West and Southwest United States. N.Y. licensure bill passes both houses ALBANY, N.Y. - The New York Assembly and Senate approved HME licensure last month and now all that remains to set it in motion is the governor's signature. As with other states that have approved licensure, the goal in New York is to raise the industry's profile by holding medical equipment providers to higher standards, said Jackie Negri, executive director of the New York Medical Equipment Providers (NYMEP) association. Once the governor signs the bill, hopefully by year's end, next up will be developing standards, establishing an advisory council, determining what state agency will oversee it and implementing it, Negri said. Lincare expresses optimism, buys back stock CLEARWATER, Fla. - Lincare's board of directors has authorized the company to repurchase up to $100 million of its outstanding common stock. Lincare recently completed the remainder of a $200 million share repurchase program authorized by its board of directors in June of 1999. Companies frequently repurchase stock as a way to bolster investor confidence and, in turn, the price of the stock.