Table 1.

Timeline of major CREST-related events

Date	Event
March 1996	Grant application development
Jan 1997	HCFA letter of support for CREST group
Feb 1997	1st NIH grant application submitted
Sept 1997	1st NIH grant application review
May 1998	Revised grant application submitted to NIH
May 1998	Negotiations with device companies
July 1998	2nd NIH grant application review
Jan 1999	Grant awarded
May 2000	HCFA withdraws support
June 2000	Executive order for HCFA participation in clinical
	trials
August 2000	HCFA support reinstated
December 2000	First patient enrolled
March 2001	HCFA decision for modification of noncoverage
	policy
July 2001	Effective date for HCFA reimbursement policy