August 27, 2002

Circuit Court Judge William J Giovan has dismissed sexual harassment lawsuit against Ford Motor Co because plaintiff Justine Maldonado and her lawyers had discussed with reporters evidence that court deemed inadmissable, even though much of information was made matter of public record; Giovan says Maldonado and her lawyer disseminated information about defendant Daniel P Bennett's previous conviction in attempt to prejudice potential jurors, and in violation of Michigan laws; Maldonado plans to appeal (M)

Jennifer Dunning reviews Zaccho Dance Theater performance; photo (M)

Employers and Congressional leaders, concerned that millions of workers are losing their health insurance coverage at time when health costs are surging, say next great health care debate will be over how to help uninsured; Sen John B Breaux and leaders of nation's largest pension plans are trying to drum up support for universal health insurance, proposal that has received little attention, except from labor unions and liberals, since collapse of Clintons' health plan; House Republican leaders--House Speaker J Dennis Hastert and Rep Dick Armey--have been working on package of less sweeping measures, including tax credits for uninsured, in hopes of defusing issue before Congressional elections this fall; Kate Sullivan, health policy director of US Chamber of Commerce, predicts that issue will heat up next month when Census Bureau announces number of uninsured last year, which may climb above 40 million--from 38.4 million in 2000--and when Kaiser Family Foundation reports latest double-digit increases in health costs; graph (M)

Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted more money since June than in previous nine months to those affected by 9/11; agency has eased its eligibility criteria to include more New Yorkers, not just residents of Lower Manhattan; critics say rules are still arbitrary and too onerous on low-income workers, who may have trouble getting required documents; there are concerns that thousands of people who tried to get relief and failed may have lost trust in process and will not consider trying again even if restrictions are eased; photo; chart compares amount given over two discrete time periods, before and after easing of requirements (M)

Some potential suitors for Hershey Foods appear to be balking at company's high asking price and controversy surrounding auction; Cadbury Schweppes has already told Hershey that it will probably not submit offer; Nestle and Kraft Foods are wavering about whether they can afford to meet Hershey's asking price, more than $11 billion, without significantly diluting their earnings; some board members of trust that controls Hershey are reconsidering auction; without lucrative sale price, some board members have begun privately discussing possibly ending auction and buying back stock instead; Pfizer Inc plans to put its Adams confectionary unit up for sale, hoping to receive bids from many of potential buyers of Hershey; Adams could bring $4 billion or more, so some suitors are considering whether to bid for Hershey now or wait to try to buy Adams; Pfizer had hoped to begin its auction this summer but decided to wait until after Hershey completes its sale; photos (Market Place column) (M)