Financials Horizon Records Loss for Third Quarter: Horizon Pharmacies, Denison, Texas, posted a loss of $1.9 million, or 32 cents a share, for the third quarter of 2000 ended Sept. 30. That compares with a net loss of $477,000, or 8 cents a share, for the same quarter in 1999. The company reached an agreement with Congress Financial to secure a revolving credit facility of $35 million to refinance debt, provide working capital and fund acquisitions.

Apria Reports Boost in Net Income: Apria Healthcare, Costa Mesa, Calif., posted net income for the third quarter of 2000 ended Sept. 30 of $14.8 million, or 28 cents a share, compared with net income of $11 million, or 20 cents a share, for the same quarter of 1999.

Transworld Loses Nearly $25M: Transworld Healthcare of New York recorded a loss of $24.9 million, or $1.38 a share, for fiscal 2000 ended Sept. 30 compared with a loss of $7.3 million, or 42 cents a share, the year before. The company attributed the loss to charges related to the sale of Mail-Order Operations and a $5.1 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the prior owners of Respiflow, MK Diabetic Support Services and related subsidiaries. It also posted a $2.7 million charge related to the sale of Amcare, the United Kingdom-based operating subsidiary it sold in November to Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings for about $14.2 million in cash.

Option Care Net Income Balloons in Third Quarter: Strong growth in its core infusion business sent Bannockburn, Ill.-based Option Care's net income spiraling upward in the third quarter of 2000 ended Sept. 30. The company posted net income of $2.3 million, or 18 cents a share, a 69 percent increase compared with net income of $1.3 million, or 11 cents a share, for the same quarter in 1999.

Matria to Repurchase More Common Stock: Matria Healthcare, Marietta, Ga., intends to repurchase up to $3 million in common stock, officials said. The company has already purchased 1.187 million shares. Timing and amounts of the additional purchases will depend on the market price of the stock and overall market conditions.

People & Places VGM Group Expands to England:

The VGM Group, Waterloo, Iowa, is growing its international operations by forming an entity that will be based in Kettering, England, and has the working name VGM UK. Officials said a new name is in the works.

National Seating & Mobility Branches Out: Chattanooga, Tenn.-based National Seating and Mobility has opened branch offices in Memphis, Tenn., Little Rock, Ark., and Springdale, Ark. The provider of specialized rehabilitation equipment for severely physically challenged people now has 48 branches throughout the United States.

Infu-Tech Has New President: Daniel Rosen is the new president of Carlstadt, N.J.-based Infu-Tech and chief executive officer of Infu-Tech subsidiary Smartmeds.com. Formerly with the Walt Disney Internet Group, Rosen will be responsible for Smartmeds.com health care communication and for establishing relationships with carriers and manufacturers of wireless applications.

Jumping on Board AHP: Donald Millard is the newest member of Brentwood, Tenn.-based American HomePatient's board of directors. Millard, chief financial officer of Duluth, Ga.-based Agco, a manufacturer of agricultural and related replacement parts, previously served as chief executive officer of Marietta, Ga.-based Matria Healthcare.

Making the List: Two home health care providers ranked in Inc. magazine's 2000 list of 500 fastest-growing private U.S. companies. New Albany, Ohio-based Express-Med, which sells mail-order medical supplies, was 110th on the list. It boasts a five-year growth rate of 1900 percent and revenue of $30.3 million in 1999! Progressive Medical, a Westerville, Ohio, company offering durable medical and electromedical equipment, as well as home health care, IV therapy and pharmaceutical supplies, ranked 351st. It's five-year growth rate was 700 percent and its 1999 revenue $17.6 million.

Ohio Company Recognized as a Top Grower: Cambridge Home Health Care, Akron, Ohio, received the Weatherhead 100 award, which recognizes the fastest and most consistently growing Northeast Ohio companies.