Suite 800

700 13th Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20005

June 2, 1993

Telephone

202 508-5800

Facsimile

202 508-5858

Other Offices

Atlanta

London

Brussels

Direct Dial

202 508-5850

Hon. John W. Clark

Acting Assistant Attorney

General, Antitrust Division

U.S. Department of Justice

10th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear General Clark:

National Cardiovascular Network, Inc. ("NCN") respectfully requests the expedited response of the Antitrust Division, pursuant to the Business Review Procedure established in 28 C.F.R. Section 50.6 and the Pilot Business Review Program for joint ventures announced on December 1, 1992, with respect to the proposed conduct of NCN as described in the enclosed materials. NCN is a national network of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and cardiac care institutions formed for the purpose of contracting with national, regional and local third-party payer organizations for the delivery of high quality cardiovascular care, at DRG-specific package prices or for capitation payments, in a treatment environment designed to reduce costs through volume-related efficiencies and standardized treatment protocols.

The enclosed document entitled "Business Plan" describes the proposed organization and operation of NCN generally. The Appendix, beginning at tab 10 of the Business Plan, includes the following documents:

1. Restated Articles of Incorporation

2. Bylaws

3. Wall Street Journal Article Dated March 2, 1992

4. Proposed Participation Agreement

5. Proposed Payer Contract

6. NCN Provider Group List

7. Map of Initial Provider Program Locations

8. AHA 1992 List of Hospitals with Cardiac

Catheterization Labs, Open-heart Surgery Programs and Angioplasty Programs

1. Antitrust Evaluation Memorandum

Hon. John W. Clark

June 2, 1993

Page 2

Also enclosed is a Supplementary Appendix containing all documents responsive to specifications 2, 3 and 4 of the "All documents" portion of the Pilot Business Review Program itemization of information and documents to be submitted for joint ventures. NCN hereby represents that it has undertaken a good faith search for the documents specified and is providing herewith all responsive material in its possession except superseded drafts of the documents provided.

The enclosed materials constitute all of the documents described in the Pilot Program announcement as required for proposed joint ventures. If you have any questions, we will be happy to respond. For further information please contact the undersigned or David M. Zacks, Esq., Knox & Zacks, 1800 First Union Tower, 999 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309, (404) 892-4900.

Third-party payer interest has been substantial since publication of the Wall Street Journal article. Therefore, we urge the Department to act promptly on this request.

Very truly yours,

Frederick H. von Unwerth

Enclosure

FHV/mel

cc: William D. Knopf M.D.

Michael J. Lanzilotta

David M. Zacks, Esq.