August 6, 2002

Buyer for Hospitals Agrees To Change Its Practices Under pressure from Congress, Premier, a company that helps about a quarter of the nation's hospitals buy drugs, medical devices and other supplies, has agreed to change the way it does business. Premier has agreed to contract with more companies, stop investing in supply companies and limit how much money it accepts from companies that receive contracts. Negotiators are trying to reach a similar agreement with another buying group, Novation. [Page A1.]

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column contends that New York Mets should have spent more money on acquiring solid starting pitchers instead of on veteran fielders that have not produced; photo (M)

Deaths of illegal Mexican immigrants from drowning or searing summer heat while trying to cross border into US reaches record levels in more unguarded but desolate deserts of Arizona and eastern California; 67 migrants died in June along southwest border, barely habitable land that covers most of southern Arizona, and 52 since October 2001 in mountainous El Centro sector of border, which includes vast Imperial Desert; deaths could outpace 2001 record of 95 fatalities; rising toll is more remarkable because illegal immigration from Mexico has fallen 29 percent, largely because of faltering US economy and tighter security; map; photo (M)

Taiwan's stock market falls sharply in response to deteriorating relations with China; graphs (M)

Iraq Rebuffed The United Nations said it would not send weapons monitors to Iraq unless Baghdad agreed to abide by rules on conducting inspections, and Congressional leaders refused an invitation to visit. PAGE A9 Alibi for a Microbe Pfiesteria piscicida, a marine microbe blamed for killing fish and endangering humans, may be innocent on both counts, some scientists say. SCIENCE TIMES, PAGE F1