Bethlehem Steel Corporation
For Immediate Release

BETHLEHEM, Pa., February 26, 2001 -- The Bethlehem Steel Family Health Center has been recognized by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc. for quality and comprehensive health care.

The center, established in 1993 for Bethlehem Steel employees, retirees and eligible dependents, received a three-year accreditation that "reflects our confidence in your commitment to continual self-evaluation and improvement," said William H. Beeson, M.D., president, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The accreditation is the highest level of recognition available to health centers.

The accreditation was based on completion of a survey that measured professionalism and efficient delivery of a wide range of ambulatory care services. Included in that assessment were protocols that addressed patients' rights, administration, quality management and clinical records. Also measured were procedures that determine the professionalism of facilities and services, such as pharmaceutical, pathology, medical laboratory and diagnostic imaging.

"The Bethlehem Steel Family Health Center has again demonstrated its ability to deliver professional and appropriate health care services to patients insured by Bethlehem Steel. In this era of rapidly rising health care costs, this accreditation supports our efforts to provide a wide range of quality services in a cost-effective manner," said Dorothy L. Stephenson, vice president, human resources, Bethlehem Steel.

The Center, located in the Lehigh Valley Corporate Center, employs 50 full-time equivalent health-care professionals and assistants serving 16,000 people insured by Bethlehem Steel. CHD Meridian Health Care, a leading provider of directly contracted health care centers, manages the health center, which offers a full range of primary care, diagnostic and pharmacy services.

Bethlehem Steel also participates in a family health center for its insured population of employees, retirees and eligible dependents in Northwest Indiana. The Steel Family Health Care Center of Chesterton, Ind., is a joint venture between Bethlehem, National Steel and U.S. Steel. The center, also managed by CHD Meridan Health Care, opened in January 2001.

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