ON PETITION FOR REHEARING

(Opinion September 23, 1977, 5 Cir., 1977, 559 F.2d 1019).

Before THORNBERRY, AINSWORTH and RONEY, Circuit Judges.

In response to appellees’ petition, we write briefly to clarify two points. First, as we stated in our initial opinion, “[t]he amendment to 28 U.S.C. § 1331(a) removes the amount-in-controversy requirement as to the federal defendant but it has no effect on the HSA.” 559 F.2d at 1023. This is so whether appellees cast their argument in terms of pendent jurisdiction or in terms of the legislative history of the amendment to § 1331(a). Second, we wish to make clear that on remand the appellees have the opportunity to demonstrate that the harm to the individual appellees exceeded the jurisdictional amount.

In all other respects, IT IS ORDERED that the petition for rehearing filed in the above entitled and numbered cause be and the same is hereby DENIED.