News Details

HCA Appoints R. Milton Johnson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

July 22, 2004

HCA (NYSE: HCA) today announced the appointment of R. Milton Johnson as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

In his new position, Johnson is responsible for financial operations of the company including treasury, government reimbursement, tax, accounting, insurance and risk management, and financial reporting. The newly created position at HCA reports to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jack O. Bovender, Jr.

"Milton has proven his keen insight and financial acumen as a critical member of HCA's executive team," said Bovender. "His appointment streamlines the company's financial operations by consolidating a number of key areas under a leader with considerable talent who has repeatedly demonstrated the values on which HCA is based."

Johnson, 47, previously served as senior vice president and controller. In that position he was the company's chief accounting officer and was responsible for tax, accounting, insurance and risk management, and financial reporting.

A 22-year HCA veteran, Johnson joined the company in 1982 as Tax Manager in the research and planning area and later served as Director of Tax for HealthTrust, which spun off from HCA in 1987. He returned to HCA as Vice President/Tax when the company merged with HealthTrust in 1995. He was named Senior Vice President and Controller in 1998. Prior to joining HCA, Johnson worked for Ernst and Young.

A Certified Public Accountant since 1981, Johnson has held various offices within professional organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the McNeilly Center for Children and the HCA Foundation.

A native of Nashville, Johnson received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Belmont University. He and his wife Denice reside in Nashville and have two children, Lyndsey and Tyler.

All references to "Company" and "HCA" as used throughout this document refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding HCA's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

www.hcahealthcare.com

Investors, Mark Kimbrough, +1-615-344-2688, or
Media, Jeff Prescott, +1-615-344-5708, both of HCA