American Specialty Health Awards Two Acupuncture Scholarships

San Diego, CA (August 21, 2003) -- American Specialty Health, Incorporated, the nation's leading complementary health care benefits organization, today announced the winners of its second annual acupuncture scholarship program: Karina Beleno from the Academy of Oriental Medicine of Austin, and Ryan Milley from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.

Criteria for the $2,500 scholarships included grade point average, a written essay, financial need, and participation in various professional activities.

The winning essays were "Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine into Mainstream Healthcare" by Karina Beleno, and "What is Required for Integration of Complementary Healthcare into the Mainstream Healthcare Delivery System" by Ryan Milley.

"We are extremely pleased to be able to offer these scholarships which recognize academic excellence and enthusiasm towards complementary medicine," said George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of American Specialty Health. "This program helps broaden our commitment to education by providing financial assistance to those who will one day become our future leaders."

Students pursuing careers in various aspects of complementary health care may apply for scholarships totaling $45,000 in American Specialty Health's 2003 scholarship program. Qualifying students are those studying chiropractic, dietetics, naturopathy, massage therapy or acupuncture at any accredited institution in the country. In 2002, American Specialty Health awarded scholarships in the areas of chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, naturopathy, and dietetics.

Information and applications for upcoming scholarships may be found at www.ashproviders.com.

American Specialty Health, Incorporated and its subsidiaries are the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care–providing benefit, health education, and affinity network programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. The company's subsidiary American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc., which operates in California, is the nation's first and largest specialty health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture. Based in San Diego, American Specialty Health has over 500 employees and more than 9 million members in benefit programs nationwide. For more information about American Specialty Health, visit its Web site at www.ashcompanies.com.