Oral Cancer Now Covered under Specialty Benefits Dental Plans

`Early Warning' for Oral Cancer Now Covered under UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits Dental Plans

Coverage Applies to New Screening Test Used by Dentists

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.-- May 13, 2008 --UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits now provides coverage under all of its insured dental plans for a new oral cancer screening test for potential abnormalities inside the mouth, including premalignant lesions and oral cancer.

The test, which uses light-contrast technology, can improve a dentist's ability to identify, evaluate and monitor lesions that are difficult to see using visual inspection under conventional lighting.

"Evidence shows that dentists can serve as a valuable 'early warning' system for patients who have signs of oral cancer," said Dr. Michael Weitzner, vice president of clinical product development for UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits dental unit.

More than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. The death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high - not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Studies confirm that survival does correlate with stage, making early diagnosis and treatment optimal for this disease and may have a positive impact on an individual's medical costs (Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol. 132, Nov. 2001).

By covering this type of oral cancer screening, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits dental unit is renewing its longstanding commitment to early detection of oral cancer. In addition to oral cancer screening, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits dental plans have covered brush biopsies since 2005 when the American Dental Association first introduced a current dental terminology (CDT) code for the procedure. Screening is covered once a year for individuals, starting at age 30. UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits' focus on wellness continues to build programs and plan enhancements that promote individuals' ability to better manage their overall health as well as their future medical and dental costs.

About UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits

UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits offers a broad array of specialty benefits, including vision, dental, group and voluntary insurance, worksite individual insurance and non-insurance programs. UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits is a business unit of OptumHealth, the health and wellness unit of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (NYSE:UNH). More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.optumhealth.com/.

Contacts

OptumHealth
Ann Fleischauer, Director, External Communications
763-797-2652

List of Largest Baltimore Title Companies Ranks Equitable Land Title Group Fourth

Equitable Land Title Group Ranks Fourth in List of Largest Baltimore Title Companies

Equitable Land Title Group, a Baltimore-based title company that now serves customers nationwide, ranks fourth among the largest title companies in the Baltimore Business Journal's Book of Lists.

Baltimore, MD - May 9, 2008 -- Equitable Land Title Group (ELTG) has been serving customers nationwide since last year, but that doesn't mean they have lost any focus on doing business in their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. The group recently ranked fourth among the largest title companies in Baltimore for the Baltimore Business Journal's Book of Lists.

The Baltimore Business Journal's Book of Lists is an annual publication that includes essential information on the leading buyers, businesses and employers in Baltimore. The book provides a look at the local economy, including contact information and important facts for top businesses, industries, professions, governmental units and nonprofit organizations. Making the list of top title companies in the Baltimore area is an honor for ELTG, whose star has been on the rise in recent years. After the demand for their services led the company to expand nationwide last year, they're clearly still on top of the local market. 
ELTG provides comprehensive real estate title and settlement services, thanks to their industry-leading technology and a team of highly resourceful problem solvers. The company serves homeowners, mortgage lenders and the real estate community with an efficient Web-based ordering and processing system that ensures greater accuracy and faster turnaround. Their commitment to service, coupled with leading technology, has enabled them to expand their business nationally.
"We are a technological leader in the title industry while making all of our clients feel as if they are our only client," according to Steven Lenet, Director of Operations.

For more information about ELTG and their services, visit www.eltg.net.

About Equitable Land Title Group:

ELTG is a Baltimore-based company that services real estate title needs nationwide. Located in Baltimore, Maryland and operating nationwide, ELTG keeps lenders, brokers and realtors in control of their settlements.

ELTG is unique. They provide the staff and technology to get settlements done efficiently and right the first time. They pride themselves on superior service and commitment to innovative technology solutions that improve the speed, efficiency and accuracy of title transactions.

Large volume, small volume, simple or complex - they can handle it all.

Practice-Changing Clinical Data Anticipated By Medtronic

Medtronic Anticipates 'Practice-Changing' Clinical Data for Interventional Cardiologists at EuroPCR

ENDEAVOR II Four-Year Results, Updated ENDEAVOR Pooled Safety Analysis, One-Year Results from E-Five Registry and TAPAS Trial - All Feature on Meeting's Scientific Program

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 12, 2008 --Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT), today announced plans for the release of new clinical data on the Endeavor® Zotarolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System and the Export® Aspiration Catheter at EuroPCR in Barcelona this week, May 13-16.

"New data from the ENDEAVOR clinical program and the TAPAS trial have the potential to be practice-changing for interventional cardiology," said Prof. Anthony Gershlick of University Hospitals of Leicester in the UK. "As the evidence from this clinical research continues to build, it shows more and more definitively the advantages of the Endeavor drug-eluting stent for a broad range of patients with coronary artery disease and of thrombus aspiration with the Export Aspiration Catheter for a specific group of patients suffering myocardial infarction."

A summary of the data presentations related to Medtronic's product portfolio for interventional cardiology at EuroPCR follows:

    * On Tuesday, May 13, the late-breaking clinical trials session from 15:30 - 18:30 in Room 1 includes presentations by:

- Dr. Jean Fajadet (at approximately 15:45) of the four-year results from ENDEAVOR II, a prospective, randomized, multicenter, controlled trial that compared the Endeavor drug-eluting stent to the Driver bare-metal stent.
                                                        
- Prof. Bart de Smet (at approximately 16:30) of one-year results from TAPAS, a single-center trial designed to evaluate the effect of thrombus aspiration preceding percutaneous coronary intervention by using the Export Aspiration Catheter in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

    * On Thursday, May 15, the Medtronic-sponsored symposium titled "Patients and Stents: Learning and Progress," 5:00 - 6:30 pm in Room 1, features presentations by:

- Prof. Martin Rothman on the one-year results of 8,300 patients in E-Five, an international registry that investigated the performance of the Endeavor drug-eluting stent in routine clinical practice.
                                                        
- Prof. Ian Meredith on the updated ENDEAVOR pooled safety analysis, which includes 2,132 Endeavor patients (from ENDEAVOR I, II, II continued access, III and IV) - 678 of whom have now been followed for four years, 1,271 for three years, 1,290 for two and 2,093 patients for one year.

All times are local to Barcelona. Room numbers are for The Forum CCIB Convention Center, the venue for EuroPCR.

"The data we're presenting this week at EuroPCR illustrate the depth of innovation within the CardioVascular business at Medtronic and the growing breadth of our offering to interventional cardiologists," said Scott Ward, senior vice president of Medtronic and president of the CardioVascular business. "We are particularly excited to share the long-term results from the ENDEAVOR clinical program, which continue to illustrate significant performance advantages for patients and physicians, positioning Medtronic for market leadership in coronary stents."

In addition to attending these data presentations and other educational and scientific sessions, EuroPCR participants are encouraged to visit the Medtronic exhibit (booth #D04), which will feature highlights of the company's current and future cardiovascular innovations, including the:

    * Endeavor and Endeavor Resolute Zotarolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent Systems
    * Sprinter Legend Balloon Catheter
    * Export XT Aspiration Catheter
    * Defender Embolic Protection Filter
    * Complete SE (Self-Expanding) Peripheral Stent
    * Assurant Cobalt Balloon-Expandable Iliac Stent
    * Melody Transcatheter Pulmonic Heart Valve

Information on Medtronic's programs designed to foster "Innovation through Collaboration" in the fields of educational development (Academia) and clinical science (Scientia) will also be available at EuroPCR.

"As the trend of closer collaboration across medical specialties continues, our CardioVascular business is uniquely positioned to forge the partnerships necessary to find novel solutions to unmet patient needs," Ward added. "As the theme of our EuroPCR exhibit, 'Better Together,' suggests, we know from decades of experience the profound power of collaboration with the clinical community in the service of patients with chronic diseases."

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts

Medtronic, Inc.
Joe McGrath, 707-591-7367 (Public Relations)
Jeff Warren, 763-505-2696 (Investor Relations)

Health Insurance Advisor On Clinton-Obama Health Insurance Plans

Florida Health Insurance Advisor On Clinton-Obama Health Insurance Plans

With about two dozen reporters crammed in a press room, Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton outlined her universal health care plan, which "would provide tax credits to make insurance more affordable" and "require businesses to offer insurance to workers or pay into a pool for people without it." Florida's health insurance advisor Morgan Moran added 'her opponent, Barack Obama thinks her plan is just talk'.

November 29 -- Florida health insurance web, a health insurance information web site, in its November 2008 political report says "Hillary Clinton plans to expand Medicare and the federal employees' health insurance plan" and to cover those without adequate workplace insurance. Moran, a Florida health insurance consultant said, Democratic presidential candidate "Barack Obama is casting doubt on Clinton's ability to enforce a requirement in her plan that every American buy health insurance."

"Clinton's plan is the most sweeping universal plan offered by any of the 2008 candidates." According to Moran, her campaign is pulling out all the stops on the health insurance issue.

FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com, reporting on each of the presidential candidates positions on healthcare said, "Clinton and Obama are the latest to argue over healthcare. 'The upcoming elections will impact Florida's health care system as far as benefits and rates are concerned' said Moran, 'whichever candidate takes the White House in 2009, Florida residents may end up with better health care than they have today'. "Health insurance is finally on the bargaining table and we all may benefit from it."

Clinton points to her web site where her position on healthcare is clearly stated. On her website www.hillaryclinton.com she has posted the following points:

(1) If you have an insurance plan you like, you can keep it. If you want to change plans or aren't currently covered, you can choose from dozens of the same plans available to members of Congress, or you can opt into a public plan option like Medicare. And working families will get tax credits to help pay their premiums.

(2) Small businesses are the engine of new job growth in the U.S. economy but face bigger challenges when it comes to providing health care for their employees. Hillary would give tax credits to small businesses that provide health care to their workers to help defray their coverage costs. This will make small businesses more competitive and help create good jobs with health benefits that will stay here in the US.

(3) Insurance companies won't be able to deny you coverage or drop you because their computer model says you're not worth it. They will have to offer and renew coverage to anyone who applies and pays their premium. And like other things that you buy, they will have to compete for your business based on quality and price. Families will have the security of knowing that if they become ill or lose their jobs, they won't lose their coverage.

(4) Nobody has worked harder or longer to improve health care than Hillary Clinton. From her time in Arkansas when she improved rural health care to her successful effort to create the SCHIP Children's Health Insurance program which now covers six million children, Hillary has the strength and experience to ensure that every man, woman and child in America has quality, affordable health care.

"Clinton has been criticizing Obama's health care plan for falling short of universal health coverage" said Moran, because unlike her plan, "Obama's (plan) would not require every American to buy insurance". Obama claims "his plan would lower the cost of insurance and guarantee access", removing the obstacles most often faced by people without insurance.

This week Obama argued that his rival (CLINTON) has been unwilling to say how she would enforce the mandate to buy health insurance. Without enforcement, "Obama said, it is nothing more than an empty 'political talking point'."

"Sen. Clinton still hasn't explained what this mandate is: What's she going to do if somebody doesn't purchase health care? Is she going to fine them? Is she going to garnish their wages?" Obama said.

"One of the problems with Clinton's health insurance approach, is that she hasn't been straight with the American people about how she's going to 'impose this mandate'. And without an enforcement mechanism, there is no mandate. It's just a political talking point," he continued.

A spokesman for the Clinton campaign, Lori Singer commented, "The fact remains that Sen. "Obama is going around saying he has a universal health care plan that in fact excludes 15 million Americans." Obama's own health care plan does include a requirement that families purchase insurance for their children.

Shortly after, Obama sent out a memo noting that in Massachusetts, the only state so far to require residents to buy health insurance, "hundreds of thousands of people have not purchased insurance despite a fine levied on those who fail to do so through their tax returns".

About Morgan Moran and FHI-Web
Florida Health Insurance Web is a health insurance consulting service. Find out about health insurance from the experts in a free online or phone consultation. Florida health insurance web is a source of health insurance news, agents, and insurance carriers covering individuals in the state of Florida. Individuals can get insurance quotes, search rates online by city, read current insurance news and events. For a directory and archive of Florida Health Insurance News or Consultants, or free health insurance quotes, please visit www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com.

Press Contact: Morgan Moran
Company Name: Florida Health Insurance Consulting
Phone: (800) 554-9142
Website: http://www.floridahealthinsuranceweb.com

Working Capital Finance Services for Growing Companies

Far West Capital Announces Working Capital Finance Services for Growing Companies

Texas-based factoring company provides working capital financing services for customers across the United States, through accounts receivable factoring, asset-based lending and similar services.

Cedar Park, TX  -  October 12, 2007 -- Small businesses in need of working capital financing have a new option. Far West Capital provides invoice factoring, asset based lending, and similar services designed to provide growing companies with much-needed working capital. Based in Texas, the company serves customers nationwide.

Far West Capital is a specialty finance company that provides highly customized working capital services to small and medium-sized companies. These services can benefit any business with accounts receivable (invoices) that needs capital for sustained operation and continued growth. Companies can use the working capital they obtain through this service for a variety of business needs -- material acquisition, operating capital, turnaround financing, recapitalization and more.

Working Capital Finance, Explained

Working capital refers to liquid assets a company has with which to operate. By extension, working capital financing refers to various financial services that provide businesses with the capital they need to maintain their operations.

"Essentially, we provide companies with the cash flow they need to keep their businesses going," said Cole Harmonson, the company's president, "so our primary service is referred to as working capital financing."

Far West Capital provides financing through several channels:
* Factoring of Accounts Receivable - Customers sell their outstanding invoices or receivables in exchange for cash / working capital for their business. Also commonly referred to as invoice factoring services.
* Asset Based Lending - Customers present a borrowing base, which consists of their existing and ongoing accounts receivable and inventory. The customer then receives funding upon presentation of that base.
* Purchase Order Financing - Far West Capital assumes the customer's purchase orders in exchange for cash / working capital for their business.

A Factoring Company With a Difference

Leading Far West Capital is Cole Harmonson, who has more than 11 years' experience in the world of working capital financing and factoring. Harmonson explained what it is that makes Far West Capital different from other factoring companies within the working capital finance industry:

"We customize the relationship based on the needs of our clients. A lot of factoring companies preach that, but we practice it as well. Each client is different, so we start the process with this in mind, and then we create a financing solution around their individual needs. It's challenging for us, but it helps us differentiate our company by providing a more flexible service to clients."

Like Harmonson, the other members of Far West Capital are equally experienced in the world of working capital finance. In fact, the entire Far West team formerly worked together managing the Working Capital Finance Group of State Bank. Combined, the team has more than 25 years' experience with accounts receivable financing, invoice factoring, and other aspects of working capital.

An Educational Approach to Finance

Far West Capital also takes an educational approach to their business. Their website is packed with information that explains their services, and they've even started a working capital blog (a first of its kind) to further educate potential customers on the ins and outs of working capital financing. Visit the blog at http://www.farwestcap.com/blog/

"A lot of companies need our services without even realizing it," Harmonson explained. "They want to convert their accounts receivable into working cash flow, but they don't know how to go about it. Some have never even heard of factoring. That's one of the reasons we focus so heavily on customer education ... to connect our services with the needs of our potential customers."

About the Company
Far West Capital provides working capital to growing companies through accounts receivable and inventory financing tools. Based in Cedar Park, Texas, the company serves growing businesses across the United States. To learn more about the company and their financial services, please call or visit them online:

www.FarWestCap.com
info(at)farwestcap.com
512-528-1490

Safe Harbor Statement:
This release includes forward-looking statements about the company's products and services. All such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual products and services to differ from those in forward-looking statements.

Press Contact: Melissa Cornett
Company Name: Far West Capital
Phone: (512) 528-1629
Website: http://www.farwestcap.com