News Details

HCA Becomes First U.S. Healthcare Provider in American Cancer Society's Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program

March 7, 2006

HCA (NYSE: HCA) announced today it has become the first healthcare provider in the country recognized as a national participant in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program encourages companies to form teams across the nation to support the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. A company qualifies for the program when, in one calendar year, it has more than 50 teams in two or more states, has raised more than $100,000, and provides company support for the project.

"We are pleased to be part of such a worthy cause," said Jack O. Bovender, Jr., Chairman and CEO of HCA. "Through this relationship with the American Cancer Society and its other Relay National Team Program participants, we are committed to actively participate in the fight against cancer. I hope employees at all our facilities that have a team get involved in Relay For Life events."

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity and plays a key role in meeting the Society's mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Since Relay began in 1985, teams across the country have joined together to walk or run laps throughout an entire nightto honor those lost to the disease, celebrate those who have survived, and heighten awareness of cancer prevention and early detection. In 2005, 16 corporations raised nearly $6 million through the Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program.

"The Society is grateful for HCA's participation in the Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program," said Sally West Brooks, chairman of the American Cancer Society National Board of Directors. "When these companies and their employees support the American Cancer Society through Relay, they empower us to make a real difference in the lives of every American facing cancer - and to make significant strides toward a future in which the disease no longer threatens the people we love."

"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.

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