e10vq
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
Commission file number 001-15925
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   13-3893191
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification Number)
     
4000 Meridian Boulevard   37067
Franklin, Tennessee   (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)    
(Registrant’s telephone number)
615-465-7000
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
     Indicated by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 126-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
     As of April 21, 2010, there were outstanding 94,879,765 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value.
 
 

 


 

Community Health Systems, Inc.
Form 10-Q
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
     
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 EX-4.1
 EX-4.2
 EX-12
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2010     2009  
ASSETS
               
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 480,066     $ 344,541  
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,447,229 and $1,417,188 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    1,712,107       1,617,903  
Supplies
    303,531       302,609  
Prepaid income taxes
    13,865       45,414  
Deferred income taxes
    78,962       80,714  
Prepaid expenses and taxes
    98,104       89,475  
Other current assets
    190,975       194,339  
 
           
Total current assets
    2,877,610       2,674,995  
 
           
Property and equipment
    7,886,970       7,787,256  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,775,913 )     (1,655,010 )
 
           
Property and equipment, net
    6,111,057       6,132,246  
 
           
Goodwill
    4,159,097       4,157,927  
 
           
Other assets, net
    1,052,848       1,056,304  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 14,200,612     $ 14,021,472  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 69,781     $ 66,470  
Accounts payable
    499,875       428,565  
Deferred income taxes
    28,431       28,397  
Accrued interest
    85,455       145,201  
Accrued liabilities
    847,787       789,163  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    1,531,329       1,457,796  
 
           
Long-term debt
    8,831,849       8,844,638  
 
           
Deferred income taxes
    474,748       475,812  
 
           
Other long-term liabilities
    887,340       858,952  
 
           
Total liabilities
    11,725,266       11,637,198  
 
           
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
    374,486       368,857  
 
           
EQUITY
               
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
           
Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 95,667,995 shares issued and 94,692,446 shares outstanding at March 31, 2010, and 94,013,537 shares issued and 93,037,988 shares outstanding at December 31, 2009
    957       940  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,183,306       1,158,359  
Treasury stock, at cost, 975,549 shares at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
    (6,678 )     (6,678 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (228,112 )     (221,385 )
Retained earnings
    1,089,406       1,019,399  
 
           
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity
    2,038,879       1,950,635  
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
    61,981       64,782  
 
           
Total equity
    2,100,860       2,015,417  
 
           
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 14,200,612     $ 14,021,472  
 
           
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Net operating revenues
  $ 3,160,722     $ 2,912,749  
 
           
 
               
Operating costs and expenses:
               
Salaries and benefits
    1,282,831       1,173,440  
Provision for bad debts
    378,074       337,768  
Supplies
    430,452       405,637  
Other operating expenses
    584,253       544,977  
Rent
    64,421       60,328  
Depreciation and amortization
    147,679       135,561  
 
           
Total operating costs and expenses
    2,887,710       2,657,711  
 
           
Income from operations
    273,012       255,038  
Interest expense, net
    160,456       163,913  
Gain from early extinguishment of debt
          (2,412 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    (12,588 )     (12,917 )
 
           
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    125,144       106,454  
Provision for income taxes
    40,148       35,634  
 
           
Income from continuing operations
    84,996       70,820  
 
           
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
               
Income from operations of hospitals sold and hospitals held for sale
          2,485  
Loss on sale of hospitals, net
          (405 )
 
           
Income from discontinued operations
          2,080  
 
           
Net income
    84,996       72,900  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    14,989       13,985  
 
           
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.
  $ 70,007     $ 58,915  
 
           
 
               
Basic earnings per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.76     $ 0.63  
Discontinued operations
          0.02  
 
           
Net income
  $ 0.76     $ 0.65  
 
           
 
               
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.75     $ 0.63  
Discontinued operations
          0.02  
 
           
Net income
  $ 0.75     $ 0.65  
 
           
 
               
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    91,615,275       90,604,767  
 
           
Diluted
    92,836,451       90,885,140  
 
           
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Cash flows from operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 84,996     $ 72,900  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    147,679       135,894  
Stock-based compensation expense
    9,763       12,286  
Loss on sale of hospitals and partnership interest, net
          405  
Excess tax benefit relating to stock-based compensation
    (4,349 )      
Gain on early extinguishment of debt
          (2,412 )
Other non-cash expenses, net
    (3,957 )     (4,488 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
               
Patient accounts receivable
    (94,204 )     (18,013 )
Supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (6,908 )     (7,592 )
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes
    167,470       68,170  
Other
    (1,130 )     2,277  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    299,360       259,427  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Acquisitions of facilities and other related equipment
    (180 )     (17,053 )
Purchases of property and equipment
    (126,553 )     (136,021 )
Proceeds from disposition of hospitals and other ancillary operations
          89,909  
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    346       326  
Increase in other non-operating assets
    (36,991 )     (36,344 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (163,378 )     (99,183 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    24,007        
Excess tax benefit relating to stock-based compensation
    4,349        
Deferred financing costs
          (57 )
Stock buy-back
    (40 )      
Proceeds from noncontrolling investors in joint ventures
    1,255       21,922  
Redemption of noncontrolling investments in joint ventures
          (167 )
Distributions to noncontrolling investors in joint ventures
    (16,874 )     (6,595 )
Borrowings under credit agreement
          200,000  
Repayments of long-term indebtedness
    (13,154 )     (63,870 )
 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (457 )     151,233  
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    135,525       311,477  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    344,541       220,655  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 480,066     $ 532,132  
 
           
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
     The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Community Health Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In the opinion of management, such information contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2009, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
     Noncontrolling interests in less-than-wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the parent are presented as a component of total equity to distinguish between the interests of the parent company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. Noncontrolling interests that are redeemable or may become redeemable at a fixed or determinable price at the option of the holder or upon the occurrence of an event outside of the control of the company are presented in mezzanine equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
     During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company decided to retain a hospital and related businesses previously classified as held for sale. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 have been restated to include this retained hospital and related businesses, which previously were reported as discontinued operations.
     Throughout these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements, Community Health Systems, Inc., (the “Parent”), and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to on a collective basis as the “Company.” This drafting style is not meant to indicate that the publicly-traded Parent or any subsidiary of the Parent owns or operates any asset, business, or property. The hospitals, operations and businesses described in this filing are owned and operated, and management services provided, by distinct and indirect subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc. References to the Company may include one or more of its subsidiaries.
2. ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
     Stock-based compensation awards are granted under the Community Health Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Award Plan (the “2000 Plan”) and the Community Health Systems, Inc. 2009 Stock Option and Award Plan (the “2009 Plan”).
     The 2000 Plan allows for the grant of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), as well as stock options which do not so qualify, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-based shares or units, phantom stock and other share awards. Persons eligible to receive grants under the 2000 Plan include the Company’s directors, officers, employees and consultants. To date, all options granted under the 2000 Plan have been “nonqualified” stock options for tax purposes. Generally, vesting of these granted options occurs in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date. Options granted prior to 2005 have a 10 year contractual term, options granted in 2005 through 2007 have an eight year contractual term and options granted in 2008 through 2010 have a 10 year contractual term. The exercise price of all options granted under the 2000 Plan is equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the option grant date. As of March 31, 2010, 1,091,253 shares of unissued common stock were reserved for future grants under the 2000 Plan.
     The 2009 Plan, which was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Parent as of March 24, 2009 and approved by stockholders on May 19, 2009, provides for the grant of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the IRC and for the grant of stock options which do not so qualify, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-based shares or units and other share awards. Persons eligible to receive grants under the 2009 Plan include the Company’s directors, officers, employees and consultants. The duration of any option granted under the 2009 Plan will be determined by the Company’s compensation committee. Generally, however, no option may be exercised more than 10 years from the date of grant, provided that the compensation committee may provide that a stock option may, upon the death of the grantee, be exercised for up to one year

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
following the date of death even if such period extends beyond 10 years. As of March 31, 2010, no grants had been made under the 2009 Plan, with 3,500,000 shares of unissued common stock remaining reserved for future grants.
     The following table reflects the impact of total compensation expense related to stock-based equity plans on the reported operating results for the respective periods (in thousands):
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Effect on income from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ (9,763 )   $ (12,286 )
 
           
 
               
Effect on net income
  $ (5,931 )   $ (7,464 )
 
           
     At March 31, 2010, $74.3 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 28 months. Of that amount, $18.2 million relates to outstanding unvested stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 24 months and $56.1 million relates to outstanding unvested restricted stock, restricted stock units and phantom shares expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 29 months. There were no modifications to awards during the three months ended March 31, 2010.
     The fair value of stock options was estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions and weighted-average fair values during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
                 
    Three months ended
    March 31,
    2010   2009
Expected volatility
    33.5 %     40.1 %
Expected dividends
    0       0  
Expected term
  3.1 years     4 years  
Risk-free interest rate
    1.48 %     1.63 %
     In determining expected term, the Company examined concentrations of option holdings and historical patterns of option exercises and forfeitures, as well as forward looking factors, in an effort to determine if there were any discernable employee populations. From this analysis, the Company identified two employee populations, one consisting primarily of certain senior executives and the other consisting of all other recipients.
     The expected volatility rate was estimated based on historical volatility. In determining expected volatility, the Company also reviewed the market-based implied volatility of actively traded options of its common stock and determined that historical volatility did not differ significantly from the implied volatility.
     The expected term computation is based on historical exercise and cancellation patterns and forward-looking factors, where present, for each population identified. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The pre-vesting forfeiture rate is based on historical rates and forward-looking factors for each population identified. The Company adjusts the estimated forfeiture rate to its actual experience.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     Options outstanding and exercisable under the 2000 Plan as of March 31, 2010, and changes during the three months then ended were as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):
                                 
                    Weighted -        
                    average        
            Weighted -     remaining     Aggregate  
            average     contractual     intrinsic  
            exercise     term     value as of  
    Shares     price     (in years)     March 31, 2010  
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    8,954,081     $ 30.19                  
Granted
    1,255,500       33.90                  
Exercised
    (891,366 )     26.93                  
Forfeited and cancelled
    (69,012 )     28.09                  
 
                             
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2010
    9,249,203     $ 31.02     6.0 years   $ 61,212  
 
                       
 
Exercisable at March 31, 2010
    6,061,160     $ 31.07     4.8 years   $ 40,390  
 
                       
     The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, was $8.47 and $6.06, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value (the number of in-the-money stock options multiplied by the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the reporting period ($36.93) and the exercise price of the respective stock options) in the table above represents the amount that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2010. This amount changes based on the market value of the Company’s common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $9.7 million. No stock options were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2009. The aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest approximates that of the outstanding options.
     The Company has also awarded restricted stock under the 2000 Plan to its directors and employees of certain subsidiaries. The restrictions on these shares generally lapse in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date. Certain of the restricted stock awards granted to the Company’s senior executives contain a performance objective that must be met in addition to any vesting requirements. If the performance objective is not attained, the awards will be forfeited in their entirety. Once the performance objective has been attained, restrictions will lapse in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date. Notwithstanding the above-mentioned performance objectives and vesting requirements, the restrictions will lapse earlier in the event of death, disability or termination of employment by the Company for any reason other than for cause of the holder of the restricted stock, or change in control of the Company. Restricted stock awards subject to performance standards are not considered outstanding for purposes of determining earnings per share until the performance objectives have been satisfied.
     Restricted stock outstanding under the 2000 Plan as of March 31, 2010, and changes during the three months then ended were as follows:
                 
            Weighted -  
            average  
            grant date  
    Shares     fair value  
Unvested at December 31, 2009
    1,897,541     $ 24.09  
Granted
    1,047,000       33.90  
Vested
    (826,174 )     26.97  
Forfeited
    (2,000 )     29.22  
 
             
Unvested at March 31, 2010
    2,116,367       27.81  
 
             
     On February 25, 2009, under the 2000 Plan, each of the Company’s outside directors received a grant of shares of phantom stock equal in value to $130,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that date ($18.18), or 7,151 shares per director (a total of 42,906 shares of phantom stock). Pursuant to a March 24, 2009 amendment to the 2000 Plan, future grants of this

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
type will be denominated as “restricted stock unit” awards. On May 19, 2009, the newly elected outside director received a grant of 7,151 restricted stock units under the 2000 Plan, having a value at the time of $180,706 based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that date of $25.27. On February 24, 2010, six of the Company’s seven outside directors each received a grant of 4,130 restricted stock units under the 2000 Plan, having a value at the time of $140,000 based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that date of $33.90. One outside director, who is not standing for reelection in 2010, did not receive a grant on February 24, 2010. Vesting of these shares of phantom stock and restricted stock units occurs in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date. 14,298 shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2010 at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $18.18. None of these grants were canceled during the three months ended March 31, 2010. As of March 31, 2010, there were 60,539 shares of phantom stock and restricted stock units unvested at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $25.45.
     Under the Directors’ Fees Deferral Plan, the Company’s outside directors may elect to receive share equivalent units in lieu of cash for their directors’ fees. These units are held in the plan until the director electing to receive the share equivalent units retires or otherwise terminates his/her directorship with the Company. Share equivalent units are converted to shares of common stock of the Company at the time of distribution. The following table represents the amount of directors’ fees which were deferred and the equivalent units into which they converted for each of the respective periods (in thousands, except units):
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Directors’ fees earned and deferred into plan
  $ 45     $ 20  
 
           
Equivalent units
    1,218.522       1,303.781  
 
           
     At March 31, 2010, a total of 21,321.552 units were deferred in the plan with an aggregate fair value of $0.8 million, based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at March 31, 2010 of $36.93.
3. COST OF REVENUE
     The majority of the Company’s operating costs and expenses are “cost of revenue” items. Operating costs that could be classified as general and administrative by the Company include the Company’s corporate office costs, which were $37.8 million and $41.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Included in these amounts is stock-based compensation expense of $9.8 million and $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
4. USE OF ESTIMATES
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
5. ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
     Acquisitions
     On December 31, 2009, one or more subsidiaries of the Company completed an affiliation transaction providing $54.2 million of financing to Rockwood Clinic, P.S., a multi-specialty clinic with 32 locations across the Inland northwest region of eastern Washington and western Idaho. This transaction was accounted for as a purchase business combination as required by U.S. GAAP.
     Effective June 1, 2009, one or more subsidiaries of the Company acquired from Akron General Medical Center the remaining 20% noncontrolling interest in Massillon Community Health System, LLC not then owned by one or more subsidiaries of the Company. This entity indirectly owns and operates Affinity Medical Center of Massillon, Ohio. The purchase price for this noncontrolling interest was $1.1 million in cash. Affinity Medical Center is now wholly-owned by these subsidiaries of the Company.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     Effective April 30, 2009, one or more subsidiaries of the Company acquired Wyoming Valley Health Care System in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This healthcare system includes Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, a 392-bed, full-service acute care hospital located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and First Hospital Wyoming Valley, a behavioral health facility located in Kingston, Pennsylvania, as well as other outpatient and ancillary services. The total consideration for fixed assets and working capital of Wyoming Valley Health Care System was approximately $179.1 million, of which $153.7 million was paid in cash, net of $14.2 million of cash in acquired bank accounts, and approximately $25.4 million was assumed in liabilities. This acquisition transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
     Effective April 1, 2009, one or more subsidiaries of the Company acquired from Share Foundation the remaining 50% equity interest in MCSA L.L.C., an entity in which one or more subsidiaries of the Company previously had a 50% unconsolidated noncontrolling interest. One or more subsidiaries of the Company provided MCSA L.L.C. certain management services. This acquisition resulted in these subsidiaries of the Company owning a 100% equity interest in that entity. MCSA L.L.C. owns and operates Medical Center of South Arkansas (166 licensed beds) in El Dorado, Arkansas. The purchase price was $26.0 million in cash. As of the acquisition date, one or more subsidiaries of the Company had a liability to MCSA L.L.C. of $14.1 million, as a result of a cash management agreement previously entered into with the hospital. Upon completion of the acquisition, this liability was eliminated in consolidation.
     Effective February 1, 2009, one or more subsidiaries of the Company completed the acquisition of Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital (73 licensed beds), located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, from the City of Siloam Springs. The total consideration for this hospital consisted of approximately $0.1 million paid in cash for working capital and approximately $1.0 million of assumed liabilities. In connection with this acquisition, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a lease agreement for the existing hospital and agreed to build a replacement facility at this location, with construction required to commence by February 2011 and be completed by February 2013. As security for this obligation, a subsidiary of the Company deposited $1.6 million into an escrow account at closing and agreed to deposit an additional $1.6 million by February 1, 2010, which the Company’s subsidiary deposited in January 2010. If the construction of the replacement facility is not completed within the agreed time frame, the escrow balance will be remitted to the City of Siloam Springs. If the construction of the replacement facility is completed within the agreed time frame, the escrow balance will be returned to one of these subsidiaries of the Company.
     Approximately $0.6 million and $1.0 million of acquisition costs related to prospective and closed acquisitions were expensed during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
   Discontinued Operations
     Effective March 31, 2009, the Company, through its subsidiaries Triad-Denton Hospital LLC and Triad-Denton Hospital LP, completed the settlement of pending litigation which resulted in the sale of its ownership interest in a partnership, which owned and operated Presbyterian Hospital of Denton (255 licensed beds) in Denton, Texas, to Texas Health Resources for $103.0 million in cash. Also included as part of the settlement, these subsidiaries of the Company transferred certain hospital related assets. The Company has classified the results of operations for this hospital as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     Net operating revenues and income from discontinued operations for the respective periods are as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Net operating revenues
  $     $ 42,028  
 
           
Income from operations of hospitals sold or held for sale before income taxes
          3,831  
Loss on sale of hospitals, net
          (644 )
 
           
Income from discontinued operations, before taxes
          3,187  
Income tax expense
          1,107  
 
           
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $     $ 2,080  
 
           
     Interest expense and loss on early extinguishment of debt was allocated to discontinued operations based on sale proceeds available for debt repayment.
     During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company decided to retain a hospital and related businesses previously classified as held for sale. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009, have been restated to include this retained hospital and related businesses, which were previously reported as discontinued operations.
6. INCOME TAXES
     The total amount of unrecognized benefit that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was approximately $8.9 million as of March 31, 2010. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits in its condensed consolidated statements of income as income tax expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company decreased interest and penalties by approximately $0.4 million. A total of approximately $1.5 million of interest and penalties is included in the amount of the liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2010.
     The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that approximately $5.9 million of its current unrecognized tax benefit may be recognized within the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities.
     The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company has extended the federal statute of limitations for Triad Hospitals, Inc. (“Triad”) for the tax periods ended December 31, 1999, December 31, 2000, April 30, 2001, June 30, 2001, December 31, 2001, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2003. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS regarding the federal tax return of Triad for the tax periods ended December 31, 2004, December 31, 2005, December 31, 2006 and July 25, 2007. The Company believes the results of this examination will not be material to its consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state income tax examinations for years prior to 2006 and federal income tax examinations with respect to Community Health Systems, Inc. federal returns for years prior to 2006.
     Prior to January 1, 2009, income attributable to noncontrolling interests was deducted from earnings before arriving at income from continuing operations. With the adoption of certain updates to U.S. GAAP related to consolidations effective January 1, 2009, the income attributable to noncontrolling interests has been reclassified below net income and therefore is no longer deducted in arriving at income from continuing operations. However, the provision for income taxes does not change because those less than wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries attribute their taxable income to their respective investors. Accordingly, the Company will not pay tax on the income attributable to the noncontrolling interests. As a result of separately reporting income that is taxed to others, the Company’s effective tax rate on continuing operations before income taxes, as reported on the face of the financial statements is 32.1% and 33.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. However, the actual effective tax rate that is attributable to the Company’s share of income from continuing operations before income taxes (income from continuing operations before income taxes, as presented on the face of the condensed consolidated statement of income, less income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests of $15.0 million and $13.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively) is 36.4% and 38.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received, resulted in net cash paid of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and a net cash refund of $62.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
7. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
     The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2010, are as follows (in thousands):
         
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 4,157,927  
Goodwill acquired as part of acquisitions during 2010
    686  
Consideration adjustments and purchase price allocation adjustments for prior year’s acquisitions
    484  
 
     
Balance as of March 31, 2010
  $ 4,159,097  
 
     
     Goodwill is allocated to each identified reporting unit, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below the operating segment (referred to as a component of the entity). Management has determined that the Company’s operating segments meet the criteria to be classified as reporting units. At March 31, 2010, the hospital operations reporting unit, the home care agency operations reporting unit, and the hospital management services reporting unit had approximately $4.1 billion, $34.3 million and $33.3 million, respectively, of goodwill.
     Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at the same time every year and when an event occurs or circumstances change that, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. There is a two-step method for determining goodwill impairment. Step one is to compare the fair value of the reporting unit with the unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. If this test indicates the fair value is less than the carrying value, then step two is required to compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The Company has selected September 30 as its annual testing date. The Company performed its last annual goodwill evaluation as of September 30, 2009, which evaluation took place during the fourth quarter of 2009. No impairment was indicated by this evaluation.
     The Company estimates the fair value of the related reporting units using both a discounted cash flow model, as well as an EBITDA multiple model. The cash flow forecasts are adjusted by an appropriate discount rate based on the Company’s weighted-average cost of capital. These models are both based on the Company’s best estimate of future revenues and operating costs and are reconciled to the Company’s consolidated market capitalization, with consideration of the amount a potential acquirer would be required to pay, in the form of a control premium, in order to gain sufficient ownership to set policies, direct operations and control management decisions.
     The gross carrying amount of the Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization was $77.5 million at March 31, 2010 and $76.2 million at December 31, 2009, and the net carrying amount was $44.8 million at March 31, 2010 and $47.0 million at December 31, 2009. The carrying amount of the Company’s other intangible assets not subject to amortization was $42.7 million and $44.4 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Other intangible assets are included in other assets, net on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Substantially all of the Company’s intangible assets are contract-based intangible assets related to operating licenses, management contracts, or non-compete agreements entered into in connection with prior acquisitions.
     The weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets subject to amortization is approximately nine years. There are no expected residual values related to these intangible assets. Amortization expense on these intangible assets was $3.3 million during each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. Amortization expense on intangible assets is estimated to be $9.4 million for the remainder of 2010, $6.8 million in 2011, $5.7 million in 2012, $4.3 million in 2013, $2.8 million in 2014 and $15.8 million in 2015 and thereafter.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
8. EARNINGS PER SHARE
     The following table sets forth the components of the numerator and denominator for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for income from continuing operations, discontinued operations and net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders (in thousands, except share data):
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Numerator:
               
Income from continuing operations, net of tax
  $ 84,996     $ 70,820  
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes
    14,989       13,631  
 
           
Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders — basic and diluted
  $ 70,007     $ 57,189  
 
           
 
               
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $     $ 2,080  
Less: Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes
          354  
 
           
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders — basic and diluted
  $     $ 1,726  
 
           
 
               
Denominator:
               
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding — basic
    91,615,275       90,604,767  
 
               
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Restricted stock awards
    324,389       38,745  
Employee options
    879,305       241,628  
Other equity based awards
    17,482        
 
           
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding — diluted
    92,836,451       90,885,140  
 
           
 
               
Dilutive securities outstanding not included in the computation of earnings per share because their effect is antidilutive:
               
Employee options
    5,360,231       9,584,719  
9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
     Authorized capital shares of the Company include 400,000,000 shares of capital stock consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Each of the aforementioned classes of capital stock has a par value of $0.01 per share. Shares of preferred stock, none of which were outstanding as of March 31, 2010, may be issued in one or more series having such rights, preferences and other provisions as determined by the Board of Directors without approval by the holders of common stock.
     On December 9, 2009, the Company commenced a new open market repurchase program for up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, not to exceed $100 million in repurchases. This program will conclude at the earliest of three years from the commencement date, when the maximum number of shares has been repurchased or when the maximum dollar amount has been expended. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company did not repurchase any shares under this program.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     The following schedule presents the reconciliation of the carrying amount of total equity, equity attributable to the Company, and equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 (in thousands):
                                                                   
              Community Health Systems, Inc. Stockholders                
                                      Accumulated                        
    Redeemable               Additional             Other                     Total  
    Noncontrolling       Common     Paid-in     Treasury     Comprehensive     Retained     Noncontrolling     Stockholders’  
    Interests       Stock     Capital     Stock     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Interests     Equity  
Balance, December 31, 2009
  $ 368,857       $ 940     $ 1,158,359     $ (6,678 )   $ (221,385 )   $ 1,019,399     $ 64,782     $ 2,015,417  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                 
Net income
    11,158                                 70,007       3,831       73,838  
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps
                              (11,357 )                 (11,357 )
Net change in fair value of available for sale securities
                              155                   155  
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components
                              4,475                   4,475  
 
                                                 
Total comprehensive income
    11,158                           (6,727 )     70,007       3,831       67,111  
Net distributions to noncontrolling interests
    (10,007 )                                     (5,594 )     (5,594 )
Other reclassifications of noncontrolling interests
    1,038                                       (1,038 )     (1,038 )
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests
    3,440               (3,440 )                             (3,440 )
Issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options
            9       23,967                               23,976  
Cancellation of restricted stock for tax withholdings on vested shares
            (3 )     (9,692 )                             (9,695 )
Tax benefit from exercise of
                  4,349                               4,349  
options
                                                                 
Share-based compensation
            11       9,763                               9,774  
 
                                                 
Balance, March 31, 2010
  $ 374,486       $ 957     $ 1,183,306     $ (6,678 )   $ (228,112 )   $ 1,089,406     $ 61,981     $ 2,100,860  
 
                                                 

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
10. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
     The following table presents the components of comprehensive income, net of related taxes (in thousands):
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Net income
  $ 84,996     $ 72,900  
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps
    (11,357 )     12,910  
Net change in fair value of available for sale securities
    155       (1,250 )
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components
    4,475       440  
 
           
Comprehensive income
    78,269       85,000  
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    14,989       13,985  
 
           
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.
  $ 63,280     $ 71,015  
 
           
     The net change in fair value of the interest rate swaps, the net change in fair value of available for sale securities and the amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
11. EQUITY INVESTMENTS
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company owned equity interests of 27.5% in four hospitals in Las Vegas, Nevada, and 26.1% in one hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, in which Universal Health Systems, Inc. owns the majority interest, and an equity interest of 38.0% in three hospitals in Macon, Georgia in which HCA Inc. owns the majority interest. Effective April 1, 2009, one or more subsidiaries of the Company acquired from Share Foundation the remaining 50% equity interest in MCSA L.L.C., an entity in which one or more subsidiaries of the Company previously had a 50% unconsolidated noncontrolling interest. One or more subsidiaries of the Company provided MCSA L.L.C. certain management services. This acquisition resulted in these subsidiaries of the Company owning 100% equity interest in that entity. MCSA L.L.C. owns and operates Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado, Arkansas. The results of operations for MCSA L.L.C. were included in the consolidated financial statements effective April 1, 2009.
     Summarized combined financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, for these unconsolidated entities in which the Company owns an equity interest is as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Three months ended
    March 31,
    2010   2009
Revenues
  $ 357,478     $ 375,698  
Operating costs and expenses
    324,520       324,674  
Net income
    32,932       51,038  
     The summarized financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was derived from the unaudited financial information provided to the Company by those unconsolidated entities.
     The Company’s investment in all of its unconsolidated affiliates was $408.8 million and $399.4 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and is included in other assets, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Included in the Company’s results of operations is the Company’s equity in pre-tax earnings from all of its investments in unconsolidated affiliates, which was $12.6 million and $12.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
12. LONG-TERM DEBT
   Credit Facility and Notes
     In connection with the consummation of the acquisition of Triad on July 25, 2007, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. (“CHS”) obtained approximately $7.2 billion of senior secured financing under a new credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of financial institutions led by Credit Suisse, as administrative agent and collateral agent and issued approximately $3.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.875% senior notes due 2015 (the “Notes”). The Company used the net proceeds of $3.0 billion from the Notes offering and the net proceeds of approximately $6.1 billion of term loans under the Credit Facility to acquire the outstanding shares of Triad, to refinance certain of Triad’s indebtedness and the Company’s indebtedness, to complete certain related transactions, to pay certain costs and expenses of the transactions and for general corporate uses. Specifically, the Company repaid its outstanding debt under the previously outstanding credit facility, the 6.50% senior subordinated notes due 2012 and certain of Triad’s existing indebtedness. During the third quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a pre-tax write-off of approximately $13.9 million in deferred loan costs relative to the early extinguishment of the debt under the previously outstanding credit facility and incurred tender and solicitation fees of approximately $13.4 million on the early repayment of the Company’s $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior subordinated notes due 2012 through a cash tender offer and consent solicitation.
     The Credit Facility consists of an approximately $6.1 billion funded term loan facility with a maturity of seven years, a $400 million delayed draw term loan facility with a maturity of seven years and a $750 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of six years. As of December 31, 2007, the $400 million delayed draw term loan facility had been reduced to $300 million at the request of CHS. During the fourth quarter of 2008, $100 million of the delayed draw term loan was drawn by CHS, reducing the delayed draw term loan availability to $200 million at December 31, 2008. In January 2009, CHS drew down the remaining $200 million of the delayed draw term loan. The revolving credit facility also includes a subfacility for letters of credit and a swingline subfacility.
     The Credit Facility requires quarterly amortization payments of each term loan facility equal to 0.25% of the outstanding amount of the term loans, if any, with the outstanding principal balance payable on July 25, 2014.
     The term loan facility must be prepaid in an amount equal to (1) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and dispositions by the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and reinvestment rights, (2) 100% of the net cash proceeds of issuances of certain debt obligations or receivables based financing by the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and (3) 50%, subject to reduction to a lower percentage based on the Company’s leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility generally as the ratio of total debt on the date of determination to the Company’s EBITDA, as defined, for the four quarters most recently ended prior to such date), of excess cash flow (as defined) for any year, commencing in 2008, subject to certain exceptions. Voluntary prepayments and commitment reductions are permitted in whole or in part, without any premium or penalty, subject to minimum prepayment or reduction requirements.
     The obligor under the Credit Facility is CHS. All of the obligations under the Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and certain existing and subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries. All obligations under the Credit Facility and the related guarantees are secured by a perfected first priority lien or security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company, CHS and each subsidiary guarantor, including equity interests held by the Company, CHS or any subsidiary guarantor, but excluding, among others, the equity interests of non-significant subsidiaries, syndication subsidiaries, securitization subsidiaries and joint venture subsidiaries.
     The loans under the Credit Facility bear interest on the outstanding unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to an applicable percentage plus, at CHS’s option, either (a) an Alternate Base Rate (as defined) determined by reference to the greater of (1) the Prime Rate (as defined) announced by Credit Suisse or (2) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined) plus one-half of 1.0%, or (b) a reserve adjusted London interbank offered rate for dollars (Eurodollar Rate) (as defined). The applicable percentage for term loans is 1.25% for Alternate Base Rate loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar rate loans. The applicable percentage for revolving loans is 1.25% for Alternate Base Rate revolving loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar revolving loans, in each case subject to reduction based on the Company’s leverage ratio. Loans under the swingline subfacility bear interest at the rate applicable to Alternate Base Rate loans under the revolving credit facility.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     CHS has agreed to pay letter of credit fees equal to the applicable percentage then in effect with respect to Eurodollar rate loans under the revolving credit facility times the maximum aggregate amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit outstanding under the subfacility for letters of credit. The issuer of any letter of credit issued under the subfacility for letters of credit will also receive a customary fronting fee and other customary processing charges. CHS was initially obligated to pay commitment fees of 0.50% per annum (subject to reduction based upon the Company’s leverage ratio) on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. For purposes of this calculation, swingline loans are not treated as usage of the revolving credit facility. With respect to the delayed draw term loan facility, CHS was also obligated to pay commitment fees of 0.50% per annum for the first nine months after the closing of the Credit Facility, 0.75% per annum for the next three months after such nine-month period and thereafter, 1.0% per annum. In each case, the commitment fee was paid on the unused amount of the delayed draw term loan facility. After the draw down of the remaining $200 million of the delayed draw term loan in January 2009, CHS no longer pays any commitment fees for the delayed draw term loan facility. CHS paid arrangement fees on the closing of the Credit Facility and pays an annual administrative agent fee.
     The Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties, subject to limitations and exceptions, and customary covenants restricting the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability, subject to certain exceptions, to, among other things (1) declare dividends, make distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock, (2) prepay, redeem or repurchase other debt, (3) incur liens or grant negative pledges, (4) make loans and investments and enter into acquisitions and joint ventures, (5) incur additional indebtedness or provide certain guarantees, (6) make capital expenditures, (7) engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (8) conduct transactions with affiliates, (9) alter the nature of the Company’s businesses, (10) grant certain guarantees with respect to physician practices, (11) engage in sale and leaseback transactions or (12) change the Company’s fiscal year. The Company is also required to comply with specified financial covenants (consisting of a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio) and various affirmative covenants.
     Events of default under the Credit Facility include, but are not limited to, (1) CHS’s failure to pay principal, interest, fees or other amounts under the credit agreement when due (taking into account any applicable grace period), (2) any representation or warranty proving to have been materially incorrect when made, (3) covenant defaults subject, with respect to certain covenants, to a grace period, (4) bankruptcy events, (5) a cross default to certain other debt, (6) certain undischarged judgments (not paid within an applicable grace period), (7) a change of control, (8) certain ERISA-related defaults and (9) the invalidity or impairment of specified security interests, guarantees or subordination provisions in favor of the administrative agent or lenders under the Credit Facility.
     The Notes were issued by CHS in connection with the Triad acquisition in the principal amount of approximately $3.0 billion. The Notes will mature on July 15, 2015. The Notes bear interest at the rate of 8.875% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, commencing January 15, 2008. Interest on the Notes accrues from the date of original issuance. Interest is calculated on the basis of 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
     Except as set forth below, CHS is not entitled to redeem the Notes prior to July 15, 2011.
     On and after July 15, 2011, CHS is entitled, at its option, to redeem all or a portion of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years set forth below:
         
Period   Redemption Price
2011
    104.438 %
2012
    102.219 %
2013 and thereafter
    100.000 %

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     In addition, any time prior to July 15, 2010, CHS is entitled, at its option, on one or more occasions to redeem the Notes (which include additional Notes (the “Additional Notes”), if any, which may be issued from time to time under the indenture under which the Notes were issued) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 108.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds (as defined) from one or more Public Equity Offerings (as defined) (provided that if the Public Equity Offering is an offering by the Company, a portion of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof equal to the amount required to redeem any such Notes is contributed to the equity capital of CHS); provided, however, that:
1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than the Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its subsidiaries); and
2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date of the related Public Equity Offering.
     CHS is entitled, at its option, to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to July 15, 2011, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium (as defined), and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, as of the applicable redemption date.
     Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into at the time of the issuance of the Notes, as a result of an exchange offer made by CHS, substantially all of the Notes issued in July 2007 were exchanged in November 2007 for new notes (the “Exchange Notes”) having terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Notes (except that the Exchange Notes were issued under a registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended). References to the Notes shall also be deemed to include the Exchange Notes unless the context provides otherwise.
     During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company repurchased on the open market and cancelled $126.5 million of principal amount of the Notes. This resulted in a net gain from early extinguishment of debt of $2.7 million with an after-tax impact of $1.7 million.
     On April 2, 2009, the Company paid down $110.4 million of its term loans under the Credit Facility. Of this amount, $85.0 million was paid down as required under the terms of the Credit Facility with the net proceeds received from the sale of the ownership interest in the partnership that owned and operated Presbyterian Hospital of Denton. This resulted in a loss from early extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million with an after-tax impact of $0.7 million recorded in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2009. The remaining $25.4 million was paid on the term loans as required under the terms of the Credit Facility with the net proceeds received from the sale of various other assets. This resulted in a loss from early extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million with an after-tax impact of $0.2 million recorded in continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.
     As of March 31, 2010, the availability for additional borrowings under the Credit Facility was $750 million pursuant to the revolving credit facility, of which $101.0 million was set aside for outstanding letters of credit. CHS also has the ability to add up to $300 million of borrowing capacity from receivable transactions (including securitizations) under the Credit Facility, which has not yet been accessed. CHS also has the ability to amend the Credit Facility to provide for one or more tranches of term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $600 million, which CHS has not yet accessed. As of March 31, 2010, the weighted-average interest rate under the Credit Facility, excluding swaps, was 2.85%.
     The Company paid interest of $220.2 million and $232.9 million on borrowings during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
     The fair value of financial instruments has been estimated by the Company using available market information as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and valuation methodologies considered appropriate. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange (in thousands):
                                 
    March 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Carrying   Estimated Fair   Carrying   Estimated Fair
    Amount   Value   Amount   Value
Assets:
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 480,066     $ 480,066     $ 344,541     $ 344,541  
Available-for-sale securities
    28,182       28,182       28,025       28,025  
Trading securities
    31,781       31,781       22,777       22,777  
Liabilities:
                               
Credit facilities
    6,032,979       5,889,696       6,043,847       5,681,216  
Tax-exempt bonds
    8,000       8,000       8,000       8,000  
Senior notes
    2,784,331       2,784,822       2,784,331       2,881,783  
Other debt
    39,405       39,405       38,015       38,015  
     Cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments (less than three months).
     Available-for-sale securities. Estimated fair value is based on closing price as quoted in public markets.
     Trading securities. Estimated fair value is based on closing price as quoted in public markets.
     Credit facilities. Estimated fair value is based on information from the Company’s bankers regarding relevant pricing for trading activity among the Company’s lending institutions.
     Tax-exempt bonds. The carrying amount approximates fair value as a result of the weekly interest rate reset feature of these publicly-traded instruments.
     Senior notes. Estimated fair value is based on the average bid and ask price as quoted by the bank who served as underwriter in the sale of these notes.
     Other debt. The carrying amount of all other debt approximates fair value due to the nature of these obligations.
     Interest Rate Swaps. The fair value of interest rate swap agreements is the amount at which they could be settled, based on estimates calculated by the Company using a discounted cash flow analysis based on observable market inputs and validated by comparison to estimates obtained from the counterparty.
     The Company assesses the effectiveness of its hedge instruments on a quarterly basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company completed an assessment of the cash flow hedge instruments and determined the hedges to be highly effective. The Company has also determined that the ineffective portion of the hedges do not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operations or cash flows. The counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements expose the Company to credit risk in the event of non-performance. However, at March 31, 2010, since the majority of the swap agreements entered into by the Company were in net liability positions so that the Company would be required to make the net settlement payments to the counterparties, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by those counterparties. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
Interest rate swaps consisted of the following at March 31, 2010:
                             
    Notional            
    Amount   Fixed Interest   Termination   Fair Value
Swap #   (in 000’s)   Rate   Date   (in 000’s)
1
  $ 200,000       2.8800 %   September 17, 2010   $ (2,827 )
2
    100,000       4.9360 %   October 4, 2010     (2,759 )
3
    100,000       4.7090 %   January 24, 2011     (3,696 )
4
    300,000       5.1140 %   August 8, 2011     (18,040 )
5
    100,000       4.7185 %   August 19, 2011     (5,543 )
6
    100,000       4.7040 %   August 19, 2011     (5,521 )
7
    100,000       4.6250 %   August 19, 2011     (5,405 )
8
    200,000       4.9300 %   August 30, 2011     (11,917 )
9
    200,000       3.0920 %   September 18, 2011     (6,582 )
10
    100,000       3.0230 %   October 23, 2011     (3,332 )
11
    200,000       4.4815 %   October 26, 2011     (11,500 )
12
    200,000       4.0840 %   December 3, 2011     (10,738 )
13
    100,000       3.8470 %   January 4, 2012     (5,136 )
14
    100,000       3.8510 %   January 4, 2012     (5,144 )
15
    100,000       3.8560 %   January 4, 2012     (5,153 )
16
    200,000       3.7260 %   January 8, 2012     (9,886 )
17
    200,000       3.5065 %   January 16, 2012     (9,155 )
18
    250,000       5.0185 %   May 30, 2012     (21,224 )
19
    150,000       5.0250 %   May 30, 2012     (12,752 )
20
    200,000       4.6845 %   September 11, 2012     (16,473 )
21
    100,000       3.3520 %   October 23, 2012     (4,971 )
22
    125,000       4.3745 %   November 23, 2012     (9,543 )
23
    75,000       4.3800 %   November 23, 2012     (5,811 )
24
    150,000       5.0200 %   November 30, 2012     (14,247 )
25
    200,000       2.2420 %   February 28, 2013     (1,377 ) (1)
26
    100,000       5.0230 %   May 30, 2013     (10,237 )
27
    300,000       5.2420 %   August 6, 2013     (33,633 )
28
    100,000       5.0380 %   August 30, 2013     (10,597 )
29
    50,000       3.5860 %   October 23, 2013     (2,824 )
30
    50,000       3.5240 %   October 23, 2013     (2,715 )
31
    100,000       5.0500 %   November 30, 2013     (10,906 )
32
    200,000       2.0700 %   December 19, 2013     (74 )
33
    100,000       5.2310 %   July 25, 2014     (12,157 )
34
    100,000       5.2310 %   July 25, 2014     (12,157 )
35
    200,000       5.1600 %   July 25, 2014     (23,719 )
36
    75,000       5.0405 %   July 25, 2014     (8,519 )
37
    125,000       5.0215 %   July 25, 2014     (14,099 )
38
    100,000       2.6210 %   July 25, 2014     (1,225 )
39
    100,000       3.1100 %   July 25, 2014     (1,529 ) (2)
40
    100,000       3.2580 %   July 25, 2014     (1,633 ) (3)
41
    100,000       3.0050 %   November 30, 2016     753  
 
(1)   This interest rate swap becomes effective September 17, 2010, concurrent with the termination of swap #1.
 
(2)   This interest rate swap becomes effective October 4, 2010, concurrent with the termination of swap #2.
 
(3)   This interest rate swap becomes effective January 24, 2011, concurrent with the termination of swap #3.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are entered into to manage interest rate fluctuation risk associated with the term loans in the Credit Facility. Companies are required to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated statement of financial position. The Company designates interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transactions affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
     Assuming no change in March 31, 2010 interest rates, approximately $215.8 million of interest expense resulting from the spread between the fixed and floating rates defined in each interest rate swap agreement will be recognized during the next 12 months. If interest rate swaps do not remain highly effective as a cash flow hedge, the derivatives’ gains or losses resulting from the change in fair value reported through other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings.
     The following tabular disclosure provides the location of pre-tax loss recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheet through other comprehensive income and reclassified into interest expense on the condensed consolidated statement of income during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
                                         
                    Location of Loss   Amount of Pre-Tax Loss Reclassified from
    Amount of Pre-Tax Loss Recognized in OCI   Reclassified from   Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective
Derivatives in Cash Flow   on Derivative (Effective Portion)   Accumulated OCI into   Portion)
Hedging Relationships   For the three months ended March 31,   Income (Effective Portion)   For the three months ended March 31,
    2010   2009           2010   2009
Interest rate swaps
  $ (70,908 )   $ (9,826 )   Interest expense, net   $ (53,164 )   $ (29,998 )
     The fair values of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):
                                     
    Asset Derivatives       Liability Derivatives
    March 31, 2010   December 31, 2009       March 31, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Balance       Balance           Balance       Balance    
    Sheet       Sheet           Sheet       Sheet    
    Location   Fair Value   Location   Fair Value       Location   Fair Value   Location   Fair Value
 
  Other       Other           Other       Other    
Derivatives designated as
  assets,       assets,           long-term       long-term    
hedging instruments
  net   $—   net   $—       liabilities   $333,777   liabilities   $316,033
14. FAIR VALUE
Fair Value Hierarchy
     Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the Company utilizes the U.S. GAAP fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumption about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following fair value hierarchy:
          Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
          Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
          Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 includes values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques reflecting the Company’s own assumptions.
     In instances where the determination of the fair value hierarchy measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment of factors specific to the asset or liability.
     The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):
                                 
    As of                    
    March 31,                    
    2010     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 28,182     $ 28,182     $     $  
Trading securities
    31,781       31,781              
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 59,963     $ 59,963     $     $  
 
                       
 
                               
Fair value of interest rate swap agreements
  $ 333,777     $     $ 333,777     $  
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $ 333,777     $     $ 333,777     $  
 
                       
 
                               
                                 
    As of                    
    December 31,                    
    2009     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 28,025     $ 28,025     $     $  
Trading securities
    22,777       22,777              
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 50,802     $ 50,802     $     $  
 
                       
 
                               
Fair value of interest rate swap agreements
  $ 316,033     $     $ 316,033     $  
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $ 316,033     $     $ 316,033     $  
 
                       
     Available-for-sale securities and trading securities classified as Level 1 are measured using quoted market prices. The valuation of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using market valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each agreement. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the agreement, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including forward interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined by netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments). The variable cash receipts (or payments) are based on the expectation of future interest rates based on observable market forward interest rate curves and the notional amount being hedged.
     The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments (“CVAs”) to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance or credit risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance or credit risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its interest rate swap agreements for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of any netting features included in the agreements. The CVA on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements at March 31, 2010 resulted in an increase in the fair value of the related liability of $17.7 million and an after-tax adjustment of $11.4 million to other comprehensive income.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
     The majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate swap agreements, including the forward interest rate curves and market perceptions of the Company’s credit risk used in the CVAs, are observable inputs available to a market participant. As a result, the Company has determined that the interest rate swap valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
15. SEGMENT INFORMATION
     The Company operates in three distinct operating segments, represented by hospital operations (which includes its general acute care hospitals and related healthcare entities that provide inpatient and outpatient healthcare services), home care agency operations (which provide in-home outpatient care), and hospital management services (which provides executive management and consulting services to non-affiliated acute care hospitals). Only the hospital operations segment meets the criteria as a separate reportable segment. The financial information for the home care agencies and management services segments do not meet the quantitative thresholds for a separate identifiable reportable segment and are combined into the corporate and all other reportable segment.
     The distribution between reportable segments of the Company’s revenues and income from continuing operations before income taxes is summarized in the following tables (in thousands):
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Revenues:
               
Hospital operations
  $ 3,092,550     $ 2,851,047  
Corporate and all other
    68,172       61,702  
 
           
 
  $ 3,160,722     $ 2,912,749  
 
           
 
               
Income from continuing operations before income taxes:
               
Hospital operations
  $ 160,535     $ 141,757  
Corporate and all other
    (35,391 )     (35,303 )
 
           
 
  $ 125,144     $ 106,454  
 
           
16. CONTINGENCIES
     The Company is a party to various legal proceedings incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, any ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
     In a letter dated October 4, 2007, the Civil Division of the Department of Justice notified the Company that, as a result of an investigation into the way in which different state Medicaid programs apply to the federal government for matching or supplemental funds that are ultimately used to pay for a small portion of the services provided to Medicaid and indigent patients, it believes the Company and three of its New Mexico hospitals have caused the State of New Mexico to submit improper claims for federal funds in violation of the Federal False Claims Act. In a letter dated January 22, 2008, the Civil Division notified the Company that based on its investigation, it has calculated that these three hospitals received ineligible federal participation payments from August 2000 to June 2006 of approximately $27.5 million. The Civil Division also advised the Company that were it to proceed to trial, it would seek treble damages plus an appropriate penalty for each of the violations of the False Claims Act. This investigation has culminated in the federal government’s intervention in a qui tam lawsuit styled U.S. ex rel. Baker vs. Community Health Systems, Inc. The federal government filed its complaint in intervention on June 30, 2009. The relator filed a second amended complaint on July 1, 2009. Both of these complaints expand the time period during which alleged improper payments were made. The Company filed motions to dismiss all of the federal government’s and the relator’s claims on August 28, 2009. On March 19, 2010, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss as to the relator’s complaint. The court has not ruled on the Company’s motion to dismiss the federal government’s complaint in intervention. The Company is vigorously defending this action.
     On June 12, 2008, two of the Company’s hospitals received letters from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York requesting documents in an investigation it was conducting into billing practices with respect to kyphoplasty procedures performed during the period January 1, 2002, through June 9, 2008. On September 16, 2008, one of the Company’s hospitals in South

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) — (Continued)
Carolina also received an inquiry. Kyphoplasty is a surgical spine procedure that returns a compromised vertebrae (either from trauma or osteoporotic disease process) to its previous height, reducing or eliminating severe pain. The Company has been informed that similar investigations have been initiated at unaffiliated facilities in Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana and other states. The Company believes that this investigation is related to a qui tam settlement between the same U.S. Attorney’s office and the manufacturer and distributor of the Kyphon product, which is used in performing the kyphoplasty procedure. The Company is cooperating with the investigation by collecting and producing material responsive to the requests. The Company is continuing to evaluate and discuss this matter with the federal government.
17. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     In connection with the consummation of the Triad acquisition, CHS obtained approximately $7.2 billion of senior secured financing under the Credit Facility and issued the Notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $3.0 billion. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of CHS and are guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company and by certain of its existing and subsequently acquired or organized 100% owned domestic subsidiaries.
     The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis. The following condensed consolidating financial statements present Community Health Systems, Inc. (as parent guarantor), CHS (as the issuer), the subsidiary guarantors, the subsidiary non-guarantors and eliminations. These condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared and presented in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.”
     The accounting policies used in the preparation of this financial information are consistent with those elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements of the Company, except as noted below:
    Intercompany receivables and payables are presented gross in the supplemental consolidating balance sheets.
 
    Cash flows from intercompany transactions are presented in cash flows from financing activities, as changes in intercompany balances with affiliates, net.
 
    Income tax expense is allocated from the parent guarantor to the income producing operations (other guarantors and non-guarantors) and the issuer through stockholders’ equity. As this approach represents an allocation, the income tax expense allocation is considered non-cash for statement of cash flow purposes.
 
    Interest expense, net has been presented to reflect net interest expense and interest income from outstanding long-term debt and intercompany balances.
     The Company’s intercompany activity consists primarily of daily cash transfers for purposes of cash management, the allocation of certain expenses and expenditures paid for by the parent on behalf of its subsidiaries, and the push down of investment in its subsidiaries. The Company’s subsidiaries generally do not purchase services from one another and therefore the intercompany transactions do not represent revenue generating transactions. All intercompany transactions eliminate in consolidation.
     From time to time, the Company sells and/or repurchases noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries, which changes subsidiaries from guarantors to non-guarantors. Amounts for prior periods are restated to reflect the status of guarantors or non-guarantors as of March 31, 2010.

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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2010
                                                 
    Parent             Other     Non-              
    Guarantor     Issuer     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $     $ 412,441     $ 67,625     $     $ 480,066  
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
                965,602       746,505             1,712,107  
Supplies
                181,399       122,132             303,531  
Deferred income taxes
    78,962                               78,962  
Prepaid expenses and taxes
    13,865       65       71,352       26,687             111,969  
Other current assets
          26       123,327       67,622             190,975  
 
                                   
Total current assets
    92,827       91       1,754,121       1,030,571             2,877,610  
 
                                   
Intercompany receivable
    1,168,486       9,247,492       1,658,975       2,213,435       (14,288,388 )      
 
                                   
Property and equipment, net
                3,638,019       2,473,038             6,111,057  
 
                                   
Goodwill
                2,407,912       1,751,185             4,159,097  
 
                                   
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization
          137,273       380,729       534,846             1,052,848  
 
                                   
Net investment in subsidiaries
    1,300,614       5,684,581       3,431,875             (10,417,070 )      
 
                                   
Total assets
  $ 2,561,927     $ 15,069,437     $ 13,271,631     $ 8,003,075     $ (24,705,458 )   $ 14,200,612  
 
                                   
 
                                               
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $     $ 44,004     $ 22,957     $ 2,820     $     $ 69,781  
Accounts payable
                339,229       160,646             499,875  
Deferred income taxes
    28,431                               28,431  
Interest payable (receivable)
          85,285       167       3             85,455  
Accrued liabilities
    8,283       567       527,290       311,647             847,787  
 
                                   
Total current liabilities
    36,714       129,856       889,643       475,116             1,531,329  
 
                                   
Long-term debt
          8,774,065       37,151       20,633             8,831,849  
 
                                   
Intercompany payable
          4,531,127       10,553,503       6,692,485       (21,777,115 )      
 
                                   
Deferred income taxes
    474,748                               474,748  
 
                                   
Other long-term liabilities
    11,586       333,777       350,311       191,666             887,340  
 
                                   
Total liabilities
    523,048       13,768,825       11,830,608       7,379,900       (21,777,115 )     11,725,266  
 
                                   
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
                282       374,204             374,486  
 
                                   
Equity:
                                               
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
                                               
Preferred stock
                                   
Common stock
    957             1       2       (3 )     957  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,183,306       565,628       538,930       68,694       (1,173,252 )     1,183,306  
Treasury stock, at cost
    (6,678 )                             (6,678 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (228,112 )     (228,112 )     (14,495 )           242,607       (228,112 )
Retained earnings
    1,089,406       963,096       917,634       116,965       (1,997,695 )     1,089,406  
 
                                   
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity
    2,038,879       1,300,612       1,442,070       185,661       (2,928,343 )     2,038,879  
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
                (1,329 )     63,310             61,981  
 
                                   
Total equity
    2,038,879       1,300,612       1,440,741       248,971       (2,928,343 )     2,100,860  
 
                                   
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 2,561,927     $ 15,069,437     $ 13,271,631     $ 8,003,075     $ (24,705,458 )   $ 14,200,612  
 
                                   

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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2009
                                                 
    Parent             Other     Non-              
    Guarantor     Issuer     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $     $ 238,973     $ 105,568     $     $ 344,541  
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
                885,853       732,050             1,617,903  
Supplies
                179,773       122,836             302,609  
Deferred income taxes
    80,714                               80,714  
Prepaid expenses and taxes
    45,414       114       73,508       15,853             134,889  
Other current assets
          26       120,230       74,083             194,339  
 
                                   
Total current assets
    126,128       140       1,498,337       1,050,390             2,674,995  
 
                                   
Intercompany receivable
    1,119,696       9,222,173       1,718,144       2,340,088       (14,400,101 )      
 
                                   
Property and equipment, net
                3,650,950       2,481,296             6,132,246  
 
                                   
Goodwill
                2,348,710       1,809,217             4,157,927  
 
                                   
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization
          143,292       385,889       527,123             1,056,304  
 
                                   
Net investment in subsidiaries
    1,239,622       5,526,569       3,321,021             (10,087,212 )      
 
                                   
Total assets
  $ 2,485,446     $ 14,892,174     $ 12,923,051     $ 8,208,114     $ (24,487,313 )   $ 14,021,472  
 
                                   
 
                                               
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $     $ 43,471     $ 17,646     $ 5,353     $     $ 66,470  
Accounts payable
                225,935       202,630             428,565  
Deferred income taxes
    28,397                               28,397  
Interest payable (receivable)
          145,033       166       2             145,201  
Accrued liabilities
    8,283       567       509,904       270,409             789,163  
 
                                   
Total current liabilities
    36,680       189,071       753,651       478,394             1,457,796  
 
                                   
Long-term debt
          8,785,466       39,686       19,486             8,844,638  
 
                                   
Intercompany payable
    10,000       4,364,272       10,399,705       6,913,492       (21,687,469 )      
 
                                   
Deferred income taxes
    475,812                               475,812  
 
                                   
Other long-term liabilities
    12,319       316,033       337,345       193,255             858,952  
 
                                   
Total liabilities
    534,811       13,654,842       11,530,387       7,604,627       (21,687,469 )     11,637,198  
 
                                   
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
                299       368,558             368,857  
 
                                   
Equity:
                                               
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
                                               
Preferred stock
                                   
Common stock
    940             1       2       (3 )     940  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,158,359       561,026       542,757       65,730       (1,169,513 )     1,158,359  
Treasury stock, at cost
    (6,678 )                             (6,678 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (221,385 )     (221,385 )     (19,124 )           240,509       (221,385 )
Retained earnings
    1,019,399       897,691       868,988       104,158       (1,870,837 )     1,019,399  
 
                                   
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity
    1,950,635       1,237,332       1,392,622       169,890       (2,799,844 )     1,950,635  
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
                (257 )     65,039             64,782  
 
                                   
Total equity
    1,950,635       1,237,332       1,392,365       234,929       (2,799,844 )     2,015,417  
 
                                   
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 2,485,446     $ 14,892,174     $ 12,923,051     $ 8,208,114     $ (24,487,313 )   $ 14,021,472  
 
                                   

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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
                                                 
    Parent             Other     Non-              
    Guarantor     Issuer     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
Net operating revenues
  $     $     $ 1,829,902     $ 1,330,820     $     $ 3,160,722  
 
                                   
Operating costs and expenses:
                                               
Salaries and benefits
                696,276       586,555             1,282,831  
Provision for bad debts
                234,406       143,668             378,074  
Supplies
                244,716       185,736             430,452  
Other operating expenses
                316,169       268,084             584,253  
Rent
                31,868       32,553             64,421  
Depreciation and amortization
                86,482       61,197             147,679  
 
                                   
Total operating costs and expenses
                1,609,917       1,277,793             2,887,710  
 
                                   
Income from operations
                219,985       53,027             273,012  
 
                                               
Interest expense, net
          (29,014 )     177,104       12,366             160,456  
Loss from early extinguishment of debt
                                   
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    (70,007 )     (45,557 )     (27,621 )           130,597       (12,588 )
 
                                   
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    70,007       74,571       70,502       40,661       (130,597 )     125,144  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
          4,564       26,322       9,262             40,148  
 
                                   
Income from continuing operations
    70,007       70,007       44,180       31,399       (130,597 )     84,996  
 
                                               
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
                                               
Income from operations of hospitals sold and hospitals held for sale
                                   
Loss on sale of hospitals, net
                                   
 
                                   
Income from discontinued operations
                                   
 
                                   
Net income
    70,007       70,007       44,180       31,399       (130,597 )     84,996  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
                (639 )     15,628             14,989  
 
                                   
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.
  $ 70,007     $ 70,007     $ 44,819     $ 15,771     $ (130,597 )   $ 70,007  
 
                                   

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
                                                 
    Parent             Other     Non-              
    Guarantor     Issuer     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
Net operating revenues
  $     $     $ 1,666,034     $ 1,246,715     $     $ 2,912,749  
 
                                   
Operating costs and expenses:
                                               
Salaries and benefits
                646,684       526,756             1,173,440  
Provision for bad debts
                214,844       122,924             337,768  
Supplies
                226,743       178,894             405,637  
Other operating expenses
                286,411       258,566             544,977  
Rent
                29,712       30,616             60,328  
Depreciation and amortization
                79,867       55,694             135,561  
 
                                   
Total operating costs and expenses
                1,484,261       1,173,450             2,657,711  
 
                                   
Income from operations
                181,773       73,265             255,038  
 
                                               
Interest expense, net
          17,917       133,662       12,334             163,913  
Loss from early extinguishment of debt
          (2,412 )                       (2,412 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    (58,915 )     (56,430 )     (44,587 )           147,015       (12,917 )
 
                                   
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    58,915       40,925       92,698       60,931       (147,015 )     106,454  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
          (17,990 )     35,870       17,754             35,634  
 
                                   
Income from continuing operations
    58,915       58,915       56,828       43,177       (147,015 )     70,820  
 
                                               
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
                                               
Income (loss) from operations of hospitals sold and hospitals held for sale
                (298 )     2,783             2,485  
Loss on sale of hospitals, net
                      (405 )           (405 )
 
                                   
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
                (298 )     2,378             2,080  
 
                                   
Net income
    58,915       58,915       56,530       45,555       (147,015 )     72,900  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
                (713 )     14,698             13,985  
 
                                   
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.
  $ 58,915     $ 58,915     $ 57,243     $ 30,857     $ (147,015 )   $ 58,915  
 
                                   

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
                                                 
    Parent             Other     Non-              
    Guarantor     Issuer     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                               
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ (14,448 )   $ (24,665 )   $ 194,494     $ 143,979     $     $ 299,360  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                               
Acquisitions of facilities and other related equipment
                      (180 )           (180 )
Purchases of property and equipment
                (80,972 )     (45,581 )           (126,553 )
Proceeds from disposition of hospitals and other ancillary operations
                                   
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
                329       17             346  
Increase in other non-operating assets
                (17,276 )     (19,715 )           (36,991 )
 
                                   
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
                (97,919 )     (65,459 )           (163,378 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    24,007                               24,007  
Excess tax benefits relating to stock-based compensation
    4,349                               4,349  
Deferred financing costs
                                   
Stock buy-back
    (40 )                             (40 )
Proceeds from noncontrolling investors in joint ventures
                      1,255             1,255  
Redemption of noncontrolling investments in joint ventures
                                   
Distributions to noncontrolling investors in joint ventures
                      (16,874 )           (16,874 )
Changes in intercompany balances with affiliates, net
    (13,868 )     35,533       77,792       (99,457 )            
Borrowings under credit agreement
                                   
Repayments of long-term indebtedness
          (10,868 )     (899 )     (1,387 )           (13,154 )
 
                                   
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    14,448       24,665       76,893       (116,463 )           (457 )
 
                                   
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
                173,468       (37,943 )           135,525  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
                238,973       105,568             344,541  
 
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $     $     $ 412,441     $ 67,625     $     $ 480,066  
 
                                   

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
                                                 
    Parent             Other     Non-              
    Guarantor     Issuer     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                               
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 59,863     $ (76,391 )   $ 186,846     $ 89,109     $     $ 259,427  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                               
Acquisitions of facilities and other related equipment
                (15,100 )     (1,953 )           (17,053 )
Purchases of property and equipment
                (100,090 )     (35,931 )           (136,021 )
Proceeds from disposition of hospitals and other ancillary operations
                      89,909             89,909  
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
                195       131             326  
Increase in other non-operating assets
                (31,203 )     (5,141 )           (36,344 )
 
                                   
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
                (146,198 )     47,015             (99,183 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
                                   
Excess tax benefits relating to stock-based compensation
                                   
Deferred financing costs
          (57 )                       (57 )
Stock buy-back
                                   
Proceeds from noncontrolling investors in joint ventures
                117       21,805             21,922  
Redemption of noncontrolling investments in joint ventures
                      (167 )           (167 )
Distributions to noncontrolling investors in joint ventures
                      (6,595 )           (6,595 )
Changes in intercompany balances with affiliates, net
    (59,863 )     (61,852 )     221,686       (99,971 )            
Borrowings under credit agreement
          200,000                         200,000  
Repayments of long-term indebtedness
          (61,700 )     (391 )     (1,779 )           (63,870 )
 
                                   
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (59,863 )     76,391       221,412       (86,707 )           151,233  
 
                                   
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
                262,060       49,417             311,477  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
                156,892       63,763             220,655  
 
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $     $     $ 418,952     $ 113,180     $     $ 532,132  
 
                                   

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     You should read this discussion together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included herein.
     Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Community Health Systems, Inc., the parent company, and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to on a collective basis using words like “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company”. This drafting style is not meant to indicate that the publicly-traded parent company or any subsidiary of the parent company owns or operates any asset, business, or property. The hospitals, operations and businesses described in this filing are owned and operated, and management services provided, by distinct and indirect subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc. References to the Company may include one or more of its subsidiaries.
Executive Overview
     We are the largest publicly traded operator of hospitals in the United States in terms of number of facilities and net operating revenues. We provide healthcare services through these hospitals that we own and operate in non-urban and selected urban markets. We generate revenue primarily by providing a broad range of general hospital healthcare services to patients in the communities in which we are located. We currently have 122 general acute care hospitals. In addition, we own and operate home care agencies, located primarily in markets where we also operate a hospital, and through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Quorum Health Resources, LLC, or QHR, we provide management and consulting services to non-affiliated general acute care hospitals located throughout the United States. We are paid for our services by governmental agencies, private insurers and directly by the patients we serve.
     Our net operating revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased to approximately $3.2 billion, as compared to approximately $2.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Income from continuing operations, before noncontrolling interests, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased 20.0% over the three months ended March 31, 2009. This increase in income from continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009, is due primarily to the growth in revenues from recently acquired hospitals as well as those owned throughout both periods coupled with our effective management of operating expenses. Our successful physician recruiting efforts have also been a key driver in the execution of our operating strategies. Total inpatient admissions for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased 3.0%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009, and adjusted admissions for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased 4.7%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009. This increase in inpatient and adjusted admissions was due primarily to acquisitions during the past twelve months.
     Self-pay revenues represented approximately 11.4% and 11.6% of our net operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The value of charity care services relative to total net operating revenues was approximately 4.0% and 3.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
     The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or PPACA, was signed into law on March 23, 2010. In addition, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, or Reconciliation Act, which contains a number of amendments to PPACA, was signed into law on March 30, 2010. These healthcare bills, referred to collectively as the Reform Legislation, will ultimately increase the number of persons with access to health insurance in the United States by requiring substantially all U.S. citizens to maintain medical insurance coverage. The Reform Legislation should result in a reduction in uninsured patients, which should reduce our expense from uncollectible accounts receivable; however, this legislation makes a number of other changes to Medicare and Medicaid, such as reductions to the annual market basket update for federal fiscal years 2010 through 2019, a productivity offset to the market basket update beginning October 1, 2011 and a reduction to the disproportionate share payments, that could adversely impact the reimbursement received under these programs. The various provisions in the Reform Legislation that directly or indirectly affect reimbursement are scheduled to take effect over a number of years, and we cannot predict their impact at this time. Other provisions of the Reform Legislation, such as requirements related to employee health insurance coverage, should increase our operating costs.
     Also included in the Reform Legislation are provisions aimed at reducing fraud, waste and abuse in the healthcare industry. These provisions allocate significant additional resources to federal enforcement agencies and expand the use of private contractors to recover potentially inappropriate Medicare and Medicaid payments. The Reform Legislation amends several existing federal laws, including the Medicare Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act, making it easier for government agencies and private plaintiffs to prevail in lawsuits brought against healthcare providers. These amendments also make it easier for potentially severe fines and penalties to be imposed on healthcare providers accused of violating applicable laws and regulations.

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     In a number of markets, we have partnered with local physicians in the ownership of our facilities. Such investments have been permitted under an exception to the physician self-referral law, or Stark Law, that allows physicians to invest in an entire hospital (as opposed to individual hospital departments). The Reform Legislation changes that “whole hospital” exception to the Stark Law. The Reform Legislation permits existing physician investments in a whole hospital to continue under a “grandfather” clause if the arrangement satisfies certain requirements and restrictions, but physicians are prohibited, effective immediately, from increasing the aggregate percentage of their ownership in the hospital. The Reform Legislation also restricts the ability of existing physician-owned hospitals to expand the capacity of their facilities. Physician investments in hospitals that are under development are protected by the grandfather clause only if the physician investments have been made and the hospital has a Medicare provider agreement as of a specific date. However, ambiguities in the Reform Legislation have created uncertainty regarding the precise cut-off date for satisfying the grandfathering provision. We are monitoring developments in this area.
     The impact of the Reform Legislation on each of our hospitals will vary depending on payor mix and a variety of other factors. We anticipate that many of the provisions in the Reform Legislation will be subject to further clarification and modification through the rule-making process, the development of agency guidance and judicial interpretations. Moreover, a number of state attorneys general are challenging the legality of certain aspects of the Reform Legislation. We cannot predict the impact the Reform Legislation may have on our business, results of operations, cash flow, capital resources and liquidity. Furthermore, we cannot predict whether we will be able to modify certain aspects of our operations to offset any potential adverse consequences from the Reform Legislation.
     As a result of our current levels of cash, available borrowing capacity, long-term outlook on our debt repayments and our continued projection of our ability to generate cash flows, we do not anticipate a significant impact on our ability to invest the necessary capital in our business over the next twelve months and into the foreseeable future. We believe there continues to be ample opportunity for growth in substantially all of our markets by decreasing the need for patients to travel outside their communities for healthcare services. Furthermore, we continue to benefit from synergies from the acquisition of Triad Hospitals, Inc., or Triad, as well as our more recent acquisitions and will continue to strive to improve operating efficiencies and procedures in order to improve our profitability at all of our hospitals.
     During the three months ended June 30, 2009, we decided to retain a hospital and related businesses previously classified as held for sale. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 have been restated to include this retained hospital and related businesses, which previously were reported as discontinued operations.
Sources of Consolidated Net Operating Revenue
     The following table presents the approximate percentages of net operating revenue derived from Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, self-pay and other sources for the periods indicated. The data for the periods presented are not strictly comparable due to the effect that hospital acquisitions have had on these statistics.
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Medicare
    27.6 %     27.8 %
Medicaid
    10.2 %     8.4 %
Managed Care and other third party payors
    50.8 %     52.2 %
Self-pay
    11.4 %     11.6 %
 
           
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %
 
           
     As shown above, we receive a substantial portion of our revenue from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Included in Managed Care and other third party payors is net operating revenue from insurance companies with which we have insurance provider contracts, Medicare Managed Care, insurance companies for which we do not have insurance provider contracts, workers’ compensation carriers, and non-patient service revenue, such as rental income and cafeteria sales. In the future, we generally expect revenues received from the Medicare and Medicaid programs to increase due to the general aging of the population. In addition, the Reform Legislation will increase the number of insured patients which should reduce revenues from self-pay patients and reduce the provision for bad debts. The Reform Legislation, however, imposes significant reductions in amounts the government pays Medicare Managed Care plans. Other provisions in the Reform Legislation impose minimum medical-loss ratios and require insurers to meet specific benefit requirements. In addition, specified managed care programs, insurance companies, and employers are actively negotiating the amounts paid to hospitals. The trend toward increased enrollment in managed care may adversely affect our net operating revenue

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growth. There can be no assurance that we will retain our existing reimbursement arrangements or that these third party payors will not attempt to further reduce the rates they pay for our services.
     Net operating revenues include amounts estimated by management to be reimbursable by Medicare and Medicaid under prospective payment systems and provisions of cost-based reimbursement and other payment methods. In addition, we are reimbursed by non-governmental payors using a variety of payment methodologies. Amounts we receive for treatment of patients covered by these programs are generally less than the standard billing rates. We account for the differences between the estimated program reimbursement rates and the standard billing rates as contractual allowance adjustments, which we deduct from gross revenues to arrive at net operating revenues. Final settlements under some of these programs are subject to adjustment based on administrative review and audit by third parties. We account for adjustments to previous program reimbursement estimates as contractual allowance adjustments and report them in the periods that such adjustments become known. Contractual allowance adjustments related to final settlements and previous program reimbursement estimates impacted net operating revenues and net income by an insignificant amount in each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
     The payment rates under the Medicare program for hospital inpatient and outpatient acute care services are based on a prospective payment system, depending upon the diagnosis of a patient’s condition. These rates are indexed for inflation annually, although increases have historically been less than actual inflation. On April 19, 2010, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed to adjust this index by 2.4% for hospital inpatient acute care services that are reimbursed under the prospective payment system. The proposed rule also makes other payment adjustments that would, if adopted in the final rule-making process, yield a net 0.1% reduction in reimbursement for hospital inpatient acute care services beginning October 1, 2010. In addition, the Reform Legislation implemented a 0.25% reduction to hospital inpatient rates effective April 1, 2010 and October 1, 2010, and a 0.25% reduction to hospital outpatient rates retroactive to January 1, 2010. Reductions in the rate of increase or overall reductions in Medicare reimbursement may cause a decline in the growth of our net operating revenues.
Results of Operations
     Our hospitals offer a variety of services involving a broad range of inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services. These include general acute care services, emergency room services, general and specialty surgery, critical care, internal medicine, obstetrics and diagnostic services. The strongest demand for hospital services generally occurs during January through April and the weakest demand for these services occurs during the summer months. Accordingly, eliminating the effect of new acquisitions, our net operating revenues and earnings are historically highest during the first quarter and lowest during the third quarter.
     The following tables summarize, for the periods indicated, selected operating data.
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (Expressed as a percentage of net operating  
    revenues)  
Consolidated (a)
               
Net operating revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses (b)
    (86.7 )     (86.5 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (4.7 )     (4.7 )
 
           
Income from operations
    8.6       8.8  
Interest expense, net
    (5.0 )     (5.6 )
Gain from early extinguishment of debt
          0.1  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    0.4       0.4  
 
           
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    4.0       3.7  
Provision for income taxes
    (1.3 )     (1.3 )
 
           
Income from continuing operations
    2.7       2.4  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
          0.1  
 
           
Net income
    2.7       2.5  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (0.5 )     (0.5 )
 
           
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.
    2.2 %     2.0 %
 
           

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    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2010
Percentage increase from same period prior year (a):
       
Net operating revenues
    8.5 %
Admissions
    3.0  
Adjusted admissions (c)
    4.7  
Average length of stay
     
Net income attributable to Community
       
Health Systems, Inc. (d)
    18.8  
Same-store percentage increase (decrease) from same period prior year (a)(e):
       
Net operating revenues
    3.7 %
Admissions
    (1.2 )
Adjusted admissions (c)
    0.1  
 
(a)   We have restated our prior period financial statements and statistical results to include a hospital and related businesses, which were previously reported as discontinued operations and are now included in continuing operations.
 
(b)   Operating expenses include salaries and benefits, provision for bad debts, supplies, rent and other operating expenses.
 
(c)   Adjusted admissions is a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. We computed adjusted admissions by multiplying admissions by gross patient revenues and then dividing that number by gross inpatient revenues.
 
(d)   Includes income or loss from discontinued operations.
 
(e)   Includes acquired hospitals to the extent we operated them in both years.
Three months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three months Ended March 31, 2009
     Net operating revenues increased $248.0 million to approximately $3.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from approximately $2.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Growth from hospitals owned throughout both periods contributed $108.8 million of that increase and hospitals acquired in 2009 contributed $139.2 million. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 3.7%. The increased net operating revenues contributed by hospitals that we owned throughout both periods was primarily attributable to general rate and reimbursement increases.
     On a consolidated basis, inpatient admissions increased by 3.0% and adjusted admissions increased by 4.7%. On a same-store basis, inpatient admissions decreased by 1.2% during the three months ended March 31, 2010. This decrease in inpatient admissions was due primarily to inclement weather, reduction in obstetric-related admissions, the impact of closing certain unprofitable services and a reduction in flu and respiratory admissions during the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.
     Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of net operating revenues, increased 0.2% to 86.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to 86.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Salaries and benefits, as a percentage of net operating revenues, increased 0.3% to 40.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to 40.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This increase primarily relates to recently acquired hospitals, which offset efficiencies gained since the prior year in our hospitals owned throughout both periods. Provision for bad debts, as a percentage of net operating revenues, increased 0.4% to 12.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to 11.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This increase is primarily attributable to the impact of the current economic conditions on individuals’ ability to pay. Supplies, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased 0.3% to 13.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to 13.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Rent and other operating expenses, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased 0.2% to 20.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to 20.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This decrease is due primarily to reductions in contract labor offset by an increase in provider taxes from states with new programs. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, as a percentage of net operating revenues, remained consistent at 0.4% for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

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     Depreciation and amortization remained consistent at 4.7% of net operating revenues for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
     Interest expense, net, decreased by $3.4 million from $163.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to $160.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to a decrease in our average outstanding debt during the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to March 31, 2009. The decrease in our average outstanding debt is primarily a result of the 2009 repayments of approximately $121.3 million of the term loans under our approximately $7.2 billion senior secured financing, or Credit Facility, and approximately $66.0 million of our 8.875% senior notes, or Notes, that were repurchased on the open market and thereafter canceled subsequent to March 31, 2009 during the year ended December 31, 2009.
     The net results of the above mentioned changes resulted in income from continuing operations before income taxes increasing $18.6 million from $106.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to $125.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
     Provision for income taxes increased from $35.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to $40.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, due primarily to an increase in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the comparable period in 2009, as discussed above.
     Income from continuing operations as a percentage of net operating revenue increased from 2.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to 2.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Net income as a percentage of net operating revenue increased from 2.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to 2.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase in income from continuing operations as a percentage of net operating revenue is primarily a result of the decrease in interest expense as a percentage of net operating revenues, as discussed above.
     Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests as a percentage of net operating revenue remained consistent at 0.5% for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
     Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. was $70.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $58.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, representing an increase of 18.8%. The increase in net income is reflective of the impact of the revenue growth and decrease in interest expense discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     Net cash provided by operating activities increased $40.0 million, from $259.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to $299.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase in cash flows, in comparison to the prior year period, is primarily from an increase in net income of $12.1 million, an increase in depreciation and amortization expense, a non-cash expense, of $11.8 million, an increase in cash flow from the change in supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.7 million and an increase in cash flow from accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes of $99.3 million. The cash flow generated from the increase in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes is primarily the result of the timing of payments. These increases were offset by a decrease in cash flows from the change in accounts receivable of $76.2 million, decreases in cash flows from other assets and liabilities of $3.4 million and a decrease in other non-cash expenses of $4.3 million.
     The cash used in investing activities was $163.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $99.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The cash used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009 was offset by proceeds received from the sale of a hospital of $89.9 million. Other changes in cash used in investing activities were a decrease in cash used for acquisition of facilities and other related equipment of $16.9 million, a reduction in cash used for purchasing property and equipment of $9.4 million offset by an increase in cash used for other non-operating assets of $0.6 million.
     The cash used in financing activities was $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $151.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This change is primarily due to a decrease in borrowing under our Credit Facility and a decrease in repayments of long-term indebtedness.
   Capital Expenditures
     Cash expenditures related to purchases of facilities were $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $17.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2010 were for

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the purchase of non-hospital facilities, and no hospitals were acquired during this period. The expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2009 included the purchase of a hospital in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, the purchase of an ambulatory surgery center and the settlement of working capital items from a prior year acquisition.
     Excluding the cost to construct replacement hospitals, our cash expenditures for routine capital for the three months ended March 31, 2010 totaled $125.4 million, compared to $135.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. These capital expenditures related primarily to the purchase of additional equipment, minor renovations and information systems infrastructure. Costs to construct replacement hospitals for the three months ended March 31, 2010 totaled $1.2 million, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The costs to construct replacement hospitals for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 represented planning costs for future construction projects since there were no replacement hospitals under construction.
     Pursuant to hospital purchase agreements in effect as of March 31, 2010, where required certificate of need approval has been obtained, we are required to build replacement facilities in Valparaiso, Indiana by April 2011 and in Siloam Springs, Arkansas by February 2013. Due to delays in receiving government approved building and zoning permits, completion of the replacement facility in Valparaiso, Indiana will be delayed. We expect to complete the construction of this facility approximately two years after receiving all government approvals, which we expect to receive by late 2010. Also as required by an amendment to a lease agreement entered into in 2005, we agreed to build a replacement facility at Barstow Community Hospital in Barstow, California. Estimated construction costs, including equipment costs, are approximately $310.0 million for these three replacement facilities. In addition, in October 2008, after the purchase of the noncontrolling owner’s interest in our Birmingham, Alabama facility, we initiated the purchase of a site for a potential replacement to our existing Birmingham facility. The new site includes a partially constructed hospital structure. This project is subject to the approval of a certificate of need, which we expect to receive by mid to late 2010. Upon receiving the certificate of need, and after resolution of any legal issues, we will complete our assessment of the costs to complete construction of the unfinished facility and relocate the existing Birmingham facility to the new site.
   Capital Resources
     Net working capital was approximately $1.3 billion at March 31, 2010, compared to approximately $1.2 billion at December 31, 2009. The $129.1 million increase was primarily attributable to an increase in cash as a result of cash flows from operations.
     In connection with the consummation of the Triad acquisition in July 2007, we obtained approximately $7.2 billion of senior secured financing under a Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions led by Credit Suisse, as administrative agent and collateral agent. The Credit Facility consists of an approximately $6.1 billion funded term loan facility with a maturity of seven years, a $300 million delayed draw term loan facility (reduced by us from $400 million) with a maturity of seven years and a $750 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of six years. During the fourth quarter of 2008, $100 million of the delayed draw term loan had been drawn down by us reducing the delayed draw term loan availability to $200 million at December 31, 2008. In January 2009, we drew down the remaining $200 million of the delayed draw term loan. The revolving credit facility also includes a subfacility for letters of credit and a swingline subfacility. The Credit Facility requires quarterly amortization payments of each term loan facility equal to 0.25% of the outstanding amount of the term loans, if any, with the outstanding principal balance payable on July 25, 2014.
     The term loan facility must be prepaid in an amount equal to (1) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and dispositions by us and our subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and reinvestment rights, (2) 100% of the net cash proceeds of issuances of certain debt obligations or receivables based financing by us and our subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and (3) 50%, subject to reduction to a lower percentage based on our leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility generally as the ratio of total debt on the date of determination to our EBITDA, as defined, for the four quarters most recently ended prior to such date), of excess cash flow (as defined) for any year, commencing in 2008, subject to certain exceptions. Voluntary prepayments and commitment reductions are permitted in whole or in part, without any premium or penalty, subject to minimum prepayment or reduction requirements.
     The obligor under the Credit Facility is CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., or CHS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. All of our obligations under the Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by Community Health Systems, Inc. and certain existing and subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries. All obligations under the Credit Facility and the related guarantees are secured by a perfected first priority lien or security interest in substantially all of the assets of Community Health Systems, Inc., CHS and each subsidiary guarantor, including equity interests held by us or any subsidiary guarantor, but excluding, among others, the equity interests of non-significant subsidiaries, syndication subsidiaries, securitization subsidiaries and joint venture subsidiaries.

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     The loans under the Credit Facility bear interest on the outstanding unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to an applicable percentage plus, at our option, either (a) an Alternate Base Rate (as defined) determined by reference to the greater of (1) the Prime Rate (as defined) announced by Credit Suisse or (2) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined) plus one-half of 1.0%, or (b) a reserve adjusted London interbank offered rate for dollars (Eurodollar rate) (as defined). The applicable percentage for term loans is 1.25% for Alternate Base Rate loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar rate loans. The applicable percentage for revolving loans was initially 1.25% for Alternate Base Rate revolving loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar revolving loans, in each case subject to reduction based on our leverage ratio. Loans under the swingline subfacility bear interest at the rate applicable to Alternate Base Rate loans under the revolving credit facility.
     We have agreed to pay letter of credit fees equal to the applicable percentage then in effect with respect to Eurodollar rate loans under the revolving credit facility times the maximum aggregate amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit outstanding under the subfacility for letters of credit. The issuer of any letter of credit issued under the subfacility for letters of credit will also receive a customary fronting fee and other customary processing charges. We were initially obligated to pay commitment fees of 0.50% per annum (subject to reduction based upon on our leverage ratio), on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. For purposes of this calculation, swingline loans are not treated as usage of the revolving credit facility. With respect to the delayed draw term loan facility, we were also obligated to pay commitment fees of 0.50% per annum for the first nine months after the close of the Credit Facility and 0.75% per annum for the next three months after such nine-month period and thereafter 1.0% per annum. In each case, the commitment fee was based on the unused amount of the delayed draw term loan facility. After the draw down of the remaining $200 million of the delayed draw term loan in January 2009, we no longer pay any commitment fees for the delayed draw term loan facility. We also paid arrangement fees on the closing of the Credit Facility and pay an annual administrative agent fee.
     The Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties, subject to limitations and exceptions, and customary covenants restricting our and our subsidiaries’ ability, subject to certain exception, to, among other things, (1) declare dividends, make distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock, (2) prepay, redeem or repurchase other debt, (3) incur liens or grant negative pledges, (4) make loans and investments and enter into acquisitions and joint ventures, (5) incur additional indebtedness or provide certain guarantees, (6) make capital expenditures, (7) engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (8) conduct transactions with affiliates, (9) alter the nature of our businesses, (10) grant certain guarantees with respect to physician practices, (11) engage in sale and leaseback transactions or (12) change our fiscal year. We and our subsidiaries are also required to comply with specified financial covenants (consisting of a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio) and various affirmative covenants.
     Events of default under the Credit Facility include, but are not limited to, (1) our failure to pay principal, interest, fees or other amounts under the credit agreement when due (taking into account any applicable grace period), (2) any representation or warranty proving to have been materially incorrect when made, (3) covenant defaults subject, with respect to certain covenants, to a grace period, (4) bankruptcy events, (5) a cross default to certain other debt, (6) certain undischarged judgments (not paid within an applicable grace period), (7) a change of control, (8) certain ERISA-related defaults and (9) the invalidity or impairment of specified security interests, guarantees or subordination provisions in favor of the administrative agent or lenders under the Credit Facility.
     As of March 31, 2010, the availability for additional borrowings under our Credit Facility was approximately $750 million pursuant to the revolving credit facility, of which $101.0 million was set aside for outstanding letters of credit.
     During the year ended December 31, 2009, we repurchased on the open market and cancelled $126.5 million of principal amount of the Notes. This resulted in a net gain from early extinguishment of debt of $2.7 million with an after-tax impact of $1.7 million.
     On April 2, 2009, we paid down $110.4 million of our term loans under the Credit Facility. Of this amount, $85.0 million was paid down as required under the terms of the Credit Facility with the net proceeds received from the sale of the ownership interest in the partnership that owned and operated Presbyterian Hospital of Denton. This resulted in a loss from early extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million with an after-tax impact of $0.7 million recorded in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2009. The remaining $25.4 million was paid on the term loans as required under the terms of the Credit Facility with the net proceeds received from the sale of various other assets. This resulted in a loss from early extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million with an after-tax impact of $0.2 million recorded in continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.
     As of March 31, 2010, we are currently a party to the following interest rate swap agreements to limit the effect of changes in interest rates on approximately 89% of our variable rate debt. On each of these swaps, we received a variable rate of interest based on the three-month London Inter-Bank Offer Rate, or LIBOR, in exchange for the payment by us of a fixed rate of interest. We currently pay, on a quarterly basis, a margin above LIBOR of 225 basis points for revolving credit and term loans under the Credit Facility.

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        Notional            
        Amount   Fixed Interest   Termination   Fair Value
Swap #   (in 000’s)   Rate   Date   (in 000’s)
  1     $ 200,000       2.8800 %  
September 17, 2010
  $ (2,827 )
  2       100,000       4.9360 %  
October 4, 2010
    (2,759 )
  3       100,000       4.7090 %  
January 24, 2011
    (3,696 )
  4       300,000       5.1140 %  
August 8, 2011
    (18,040 )
  5       100,000       4.7185 %  
August 19, 2011
    (5,543 )
  6       100,000       4.7040 %  
August 19, 2011
    (5,521 )
  7       100,000       4.6250 %  
August 19, 2011
    (5,405 )
  8       200,000       4.9300 %  
August 30, 2011
    (11,917 )
  9       200,000       3.0920 %  
September 18, 2011
    (6,582 )
  10       100,000       3.0230 %  
October 23, 2011
    (3,332 )
  11       200,000       4.4815 %  
October 26, 2011
    (11,500 )
  12       200,000       4.0840 %  
December 3, 2011
    (10,738 )
  13       100,000       3.8470 %  
January 4, 2012
    (5,136 )
  14       100,000       3.8510 %  
January 4, 2012
    (5,144 )
  15       100,000       3.8560 %  
January 4, 2012
    (5,153 )
  16       200,000       3.7260 %  
January 8, 2012
    (9,886 )
  17       200,000       3.5065 %  
January 16, 2012
    (9,155 )
  18       250,000       5.0185 %  
May 30, 2012
    (21,224 )
  19       150,000       5.0250 %  
May 30, 2012
    (12,752 )
  20       200,000       4.6845 %  
September 11, 2012
    (16,473 )
  21       100,000       3.3520 %  
October 23, 2012
    (4,971 )
  22       125,000       4.3745 %  
November 23, 2012
    (9,543 )
  23       75,000       4.3800 %  
November 23, 2012
    (5,811 )
  24       150,000       5.0200 %  
November 30, 2012
    (14,247 )
  25       200,000       2.2420 %  
February 28, 2013
    (1,377 )(1)
  26       100,000       5.0230 %  
May 30, 2013
    (10,237 )
  27       300,000       5.2420 %  
August 6, 2013
    (33,633 )
  28       100,000       5.0380 %  
August 30, 2013
    (10,597 )
  29       50,000       3.5860 %  
October 23, 2013
    (2,824 )
  30       50,000       3.5240 %  
October 23, 2013
    (2,715 )
  31       100,000       5.0500 %  
November 30, 2013
    (10,906 )
  32       200,000       2.0700 %  
December 19, 2013
    (74 )
  33       100,000       5.2310 %  
July 25, 2014
    (12,157 )
  34       100,000       5.2310 %  
July 25, 2014
    (12,157 )
  35       200,000       5.1600 %  
July 25, 2014
    (23,719 )
  36       75,000       5.0405 %  
July 25, 2014
    (8,519 )
  37       125,000       5.0215 %  
July 25, 2014
    (14,099 )
  38       100,000       2.6210 %  
July 25, 2014
    (1,225 )
  39       100,000       3.1100 %  
July 25, 2014
    (1,529 )(2)
  40       100,000       3.2580 %  
July 25, 2014
    (1,633 )(3)
  41       100,000       3.0050 %  
November 30, 2016
    753  
 
(1)   This interest rate swap becomes effective September 17, 2010, concurrent with the termination of swap #1.
 
(2)   This interest rate swap becomes effective October 4, 2010, concurrent with the termination of swap #2.
 
(3)   This interest rate swap becomes effective January 24, 2011, concurrent with the termination of swap #3.

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     The Credit Facility and/or the Notes contain various covenants that limit our ability to take certain actions including, among other things, our ability to:
    incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness;
 
    issue redeemable stock and preferred stock;
 
    repurchase capital stock;
 
    make restricted payments, including paying dividends and making investments;
 
    redeem debt that is junior in right of payment to the notes;
 
    create liens without securing the notes;
 
    sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries;
 
    enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries;
 
    merge, consolidate, sell or otherwise dispose of substantial portions of our assets;
 
    enter into transactions with affiliates; and
 
    guarantee certain obligations.
     In addition, our Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants and requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial condition tests. Our ability to meet these restricted covenants and financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those tests. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our Credit Facility and/or the Notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our Credit Facility or the Notes, all amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility and the Notes may become due and payable and all commitments under the Credit Facility to extend further credit may be terminated.
     We believe that internally generated cash flows, availability for additional borrowings under our Credit Facility of $750 million (consisting of a $750 million revolving credit facility) and our ability to amend the Credit Facility to provide for one or more tranches of term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $600 million, our ability to add up to $300 million of borrowing capacity from receivable transactions (including securitizations), and our continued access to the bank credit and capital markets will be sufficient to finance acquisitions, capital expenditures and working capital requirements through the next 12 months. We believe these same sources of cash flows, borrowings under our Credit Facility, as well as access to bank credit and capital markets, will be available to us beyond the next 12 months and into the foreseeable future.
     On December 22, 2008, we filed a universal automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR that will permit us, from time to time, in one or more public offerings, to offer debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, or any combination of such securities. The shelf registration statement will also permit our subsidiary, CHS, to offer debt securities that would be guaranteed by us, from time to time in one or more public offerings. The terms of any such future offerings would be established at the time of the offering.
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2010 is as follows:
     
    Three Months
    Ended
    March 31, 2010
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1) ....................................................................................................................................................
  1.63x
 
(1)   There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

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Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
     Our consolidated operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, included $72.8 million and $70.9 million, respectively, of net operating revenue and $4.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of income from operations generated from six hospitals operated by us under operating lease arrangements. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, the respective assets and the future lease obligations under these arrangements are not recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Lease costs under these arrangements are included in rent expense and totaled approximately $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The current terms of these operating leases expire between June 2012 and December 2020, not including lease extension options. If we allow these leases to expire, we would no longer generate revenue nor incur expenses from these hospitals.
     In the past, we have utilized operating leases as a financing tool for obtaining the operations of specified hospitals without acquiring, through ownership, the related assets of the hospital and without a significant outlay of cash at the front end of the lease. We utilize the same management and operating strategies to improve operations at those hospitals held under operating leases as we do at those hospitals that we own. We have not entered into any operating leases for hospital operations since December 2000.
Joint Ventures
     We have sold noncontrolling interests in certain of our subsidiaries or acquired subsidiaries with existing noncontrolling interest ownership positions. As of March 31, 2010, we have hospitals in 25 of the markets we serve with noncontrolling physician ownership interests ranging from less than 1% to 40%, including one hospital that also had a non-profit entity as a partner. In addition, we own three other hospitals with noncontrolling interests owned by non-profit entities. Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries was $374.5 million and $368.9 million as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries was $62.0 million and $64.8 million as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and the amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $15.0 million and $14.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Reimbursement, Legislative and Regulatory Changes
     The Reform Legislation was enacted in the context of other ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts, which would reduce or otherwise adversely affect the payments we receive from Medicare and Medicaid. Within the statutory framework of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including programs currently unaffected by the Reform Legislation, there are substantial areas subject to administrative rulings, interpretations, and discretion which may further affect payments made under those programs, and the federal and state governments might, in the future, reduce the funds available under those programs or require more stringent utilization and quality reviews of hospital facilities. Additionally, there may be a continued rise in managed care programs and additional restructuring of the financing and delivery of healthcare in the United States. These events could cause our future financial results to decline. We cannot estimate the impact of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement changes that have been enacted or are under consideration. We cannot predict whether additional reimbursement reductions will be made or whether any such changes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions, results of operations, cash flow, capital resources and liquidity.
Inflation
     The healthcare industry is labor intensive. Wages and other expenses increase during periods of inflation and when labor shortages occur in the marketplace. In addition, our suppliers pass along rising costs to us in the form of higher prices. We have implemented cost control measures, including our case and resource management program, to curb increases in operating costs and expenses. We have generally offset increases in operating costs by increasing reimbursement for services, expanding services and reducing costs in other areas. However, we cannot predict our ability to cover or offset future cost increases, particularly any increases in our cost of providing health insurance benefits to our employees as a result of the Reform Legislation.
Critical Accounting Policies
     The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

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     Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that our critical accounting policies are limited to those described below.
   Third Party Reimbursement
     Net operating revenues include amounts estimated by management to be reimbursable by Medicare and Medicaid under prospective payment systems and provisions of cost-reimbursement and other payment methods. In addition, we are reimbursed by non-governmental payors using a variety of payment methodologies. Amounts we receive for treatment of patients covered by these programs are generally less than the standard billing rates. Contractual allowances are automatically calculated and recorded through our internally developed “automated contractual allowance system.” Within the automated system, actual Medicare DRG data and payors’ historical paid claims data are utilized to calculate the contractual allowances. This data is automatically updated on a monthly basis. All hospital contractual allowance calculations are subjected to monthly review by management to ensure reasonableness and accuracy. We account for the differences between the estimated program reimbursement rates and the standard billing rates as contractual allowance adjustments, which we deduct from gross revenues to arrive at net operating revenues. The process of estimating contractual allowances requires us to estimate the amount expected to be received based on payor contract provisions. The key assumption in this process is the estimated contractual reimbursement percentage, which is based on payor classification and historical paid claims data. Due to the complexities involved in these estimates, actual payments we receive could be different from the amounts we estimate and record. If the actual contractual reimbursement percentage under government programs and managed care contracts differed by 1% from our estimated reimbursement percentage, net income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 would have changed by approximately $27.3 million, and net accounts receivable would have changed by $44.4 million. Final settlements under some of these programs are subject to adjustment based on administrative review and audit by third parties. We account for adjustments to previous program reimbursement estimates as contractual allowance adjustments and report them in the periods that such adjustments become known. Contractual allowance adjustments related to final settlements and previous program reimbursement estimates impacted net operating revenues and net income by an insignificant amount in each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
   Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
     Substantially all of our accounts receivable are related to providing healthcare services to our hospitals’ patients. Collection of these accounts receivable is our primary source of cash and is critical to our operating performance. Our primary collection risks relate to uninsured patients and outstanding patient balances for which the primary insurance payor has paid some but not all of the outstanding balance, with the remaining outstanding balance (generally deductibles and co-payments) owed by the patient. At the point of service, for patients required to make a co-payment, we generally collect less than 15% of the related revenue. For all procedures scheduled in advance, our policy is to verify insurance coverage prior to the date of the procedure. Insurance coverage is not verified in advance of procedures for walk-in and emergency room patients.
     We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts by reserving a percentage of all self-pay accounts receivable without regard to aging category, based on collection history, adjusted for expected recoveries and, if present, anticipated changes in trends. For all other non-self-pay payor categories, we reserve 100% of all accounts aging over 365 days from the date of discharge. The percentage used to reserve for all self-pay accounts is based on our collection history. We believe that we collect substantially all of our third-party insured receivables, which include receivables from governmental agencies.
     Collections are impacted by the economic ability of patients to pay and the effectiveness of our collection efforts. Significant changes in payor mix, business office operations, economic conditions or trends in federal and state governmental healthcare coverage could affect our collection of accounts receivable. The process of estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts requires us to estimate the collectability of self-pay accounts receivable, which is primarily based on our collection history, adjusted for expected recoveries and, if available, anticipated changes in collection trends. Significant change in payor mix, business office operations, economic conditions, trends in federal and state governmental healthcare coverage or other third party payors could affect our estimates of accounts receivable collectability. If the actual collection percentage differed by 1% from our estimated collection percentage as a result of a change in expected recoveries, net income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 would have changed by $14.8 million, and net accounts receivable would have changed by $24.1 million. We also continually review our overall reserve adequacy by monitoring historical cash collections as a percentage of trailing net revenue less provision for bad debts, as well as by analyzing current period net revenue and admissions by payor classification, aged accounts receivable by payor, days revenue outstanding, and the impact of recent acquisitions and dispositions.

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     Our policy is to write-off gross accounts receivable if the balance is under $10.00 or when such amounts are placed with outside collection agencies. We believe this policy accurately reflects our ongoing collection efforts and is consistent with industry practices. We had approximately $2.0 billion and $1.9 billion at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, being pursued by various outside collection agencies. We expect to collect less than 3%, net of estimated collection fees, of the amounts being pursued by outside collection agencies. As these amounts have been written-off, they are not included in our gross accounts receivable or our allowance for doubtful accounts. Collections on amounts previously written-off are recognized as a reduction to bad debt expense when received. However, we take into consideration estimated collections of these future amounts written-off in evaluating the reasonableness of our allowance for doubtful accounts.
     All of the following information is derived from our hospitals, excluding clinics, unless otherwise noted.
     Patient accounts receivable from our hospitals represent approximately 95% of our total consolidated accounts receivable.
     Days revenue outstanding was 49 days at March 31, 2010 and 48 days at December 31, 2009. Our target range for days revenue outstanding is 46 to 56 days.
     Total gross accounts receivable (prior to allowance for contractual adjustments and doubtful accounts) was approximately $6.5 billion and $6.1 billion as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
     The approximate percentage of total gross accounts receivable (prior to allowances for contractual adjustments and doubtful accounts) summarized by payor category is as follows:
                 
    As of  
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2010     2009  
Insured receivables
    64.1 %     62.4 %
Self-pay receivables
    35.9 %     37.6 %
 
           
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %
 
           
     For the hospital segment, the combined total of the allowance for doubtful accounts and related allowances for other self-pay discounts and contractuals, as a percentage of gross self-pay receivables, was approximately 83% at March 31, 2010 and 82% at December 31, 2009. If the receivables that have been written-off but where collections are still being pursued by outside collection agencies were included in both the allowances and gross self-pay receivables specified above, the percentage of combined allowances to total self-pay receivables would have been approximately 91% at March 31, 2010 and 90% at December 31, 2009.
   Goodwill and Other Intangibles
     Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at the same time every year and when an event occurs or circumstances change that, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. There is a two-step method for determining goodwill impairment. Step one is to compare the fair value of the reporting unit with the unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. If this test indicates the fair value is less than the carrying value, then step two is required to compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. We have selected September 30 as our annual testing date. Based on the results of our most recent annual impairment test, we have concluded that we do not have any reporting units that are at risk of failing step one of the goodwill impairment test.

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   Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
     Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of certain long-lived assets may be impaired, we project the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by these assets. If the projections indicate that the reported amounts are not expected to be recovered, such amounts are reduced to their estimated fair value based on a quoted market price, if available, or an estimate based on valuation techniques available in the circumstances.
   Professional Liability Insurance Claims
     As part of our business of owning and operating hospitals, we are subject to legal actions alleging liability on our part. We accrue for losses resulting from such liability claims, as well as loss adjustment expenses that are out-of-pocket and directly related to such liability claims. These direct out-of-pocket expenses include fees of outside counsel and experts. We do not accrue for costs that are part of our corporate overhead, such as the costs of our in-house legal and risk management departments. The losses resulting from professional liability claims primarily consist of estimates for known claims, as well as estimates for incurred but not reported claims. The estimates are based on specific claim facts, our historical claim reporting and payment patterns, the nature and level of our hospital operations, and actuarially determined projections. The actuarially determined projections are based on our actual claim data, including historic reporting and payment patterns which have been gathered over approximately a 20-year period. As discussed below, since we purchase excess insurance on a claims-made basis that transfers risk to third party insurers, the liability we accrue does not include an amount for the losses covered by our excess insurance. Since we believe that the amount and timing of our future claims payments are reliably determinable, we discount the amount we accrue for losses resulting from professional liability claims using the risk-free interest rate corresponding to the timing of our expected payments.
     The net present value of the projected payments was discounted using a weighted-average risk-free rate of 1.3% and 2.6% in 2009 and 2008, respectively. This liability is adjusted for new claims information in the period such information becomes known to us. Professional malpractice expense includes the losses resulting from professional liability claims and loss adjustment expense, as well as paid excess insurance premiums, and is presented within other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
     Our processes for obtaining and analyzing claims and incident data are standardized across all of our hospitals and have been consistent for many years. We monitor the outcomes of the medical care services that we provide and for each reported claim, we obtain various information concerning the facts and circumstances related to that claim. In addition, we routinely monitor current key statistics and volume indicators in our assessment of utilizing historical trends. The average lag period between claim occurrence and payment of a final settlement is between four and five years, although the facts and circumstances of individual claims could result in the timing of such payments being different from this average. Since claims are paid promptly after settlement with the claimant is reached, settled claims represent less than 1.0% of the total liability at the end of any period.
     For purposes of estimating our individual claim accruals, we utilize specific claim information, including the nature of the claim, the expected claim amount, the year in which the claim occurred and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the claim occurred. Once the case accruals for known claims are determined, information is stratified by loss layers and retentions, accident years, reported years, geography, and claims relating to the acquired Triad hospitals versus claims relating to our other hospitals. Several actuarial methods are used against this data to produce estimates of ultimate paid losses and reserves for incurred but not reported claims. Each of these methods uses our company-specific historical claims data and other information. This company-specific data includes information regarding our business, including historical paid losses and loss adjustment expenses, historical and current case loss reserves, actual and projected hospital statistical data, a variety of hospital census information, employed physician information, professional liability retentions for each policy year, geographic information and other data.
     Based on these analyses we determine our estimate of the professional liability claims. The determination of management’s estimate, including the preparation of the reserve analysis that supports such estimate, involves subjective judgment of the management. Changes in reserving data or the trends and factors that influence reserving data may signal fundamental shifts in our future claim development patterns or may simply reflect single-period anomalies. Even if a change reflects a fundamental shift, the full extent of the change may not become evident until years later. Moreover, since our methods and models use different types of data and we select our liability from the results of all of these methods, we typically cannot quantify the precise impact of such factors on our estimates of the liability. Due to our standardized and consistent processes for handling claims and the long history and depth of our company-specific data, our methodologies have produced reliably determinable estimates of ultimate paid losses.

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     We are primarily self-insured for these claims; however, we obtain excess insurance that transfers the risk of loss to a third-party insurer for claims in excess of our self-insured retentions. Our excess insurance is underwritten on a claims-made basis. For claims reported prior to June 1, 2002, substantially all of our professional and general liability risks were subject to a $0.5 million per occurrence self-insured retention and for claims reported from June 1, 2002 through June 1, 2003, these self-insured retentions were $2.0 million per occurrence. Substantially all claims reported after June 1, 2003 and before June 1, 2005 are self-insured up to $4 million per claim. Substantially all claims reported on or after June 1, 2005 are self-insured up to $5 million per claim. Management on occasion has selectively increased the insured risk at certain hospitals based upon insurance pricing and other factors and may continue that practice in the future. Excess insurance for all hospitals has been purchased through commercial insurance companies and generally covers us for liabilities in excess of the self-insured retentions. The excess coverage consists of multiple layers of insurance, the sum of which totals up to $95 million per occurrence and in the aggregate for claims reported on or after June 1, 2003 and up to $145 million per occurrence and in the aggregate for claims incurred and reported after January 1, 2008. For certain policy years, if the first aggregate layer of excess coverage becomes fully utilized, then the self-insured retention could increase to $10 million per claim for any subsequent claims in that policy year until our total aggregate coverage is met.
     Effective January 1, 2008, the former Triad Hospitals are insured on a claims-made basis as described above and through commercial insurance companies as described above for substantially all claims occurring on or after January 1, 2002 and reported on or after January 1, 2008. Substantially all losses for the former Triad hospitals in periods prior to May 1, 1999 were insured through a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of HCA Inc., or HCA, Triad’s owner prior to that time, and excess loss policies maintained by HCA. HCA has agreed to indemnify the former Triad hospitals in respect of claims covered by such insurance policies arising prior to May 1, 1999. From May 1, 1999 through December 31, 2006, the former Triad hospitals obtained insurance coverage on a claims incurred basis from HCA’s wholly-owned insurance subsidiary with excess coverage obtained from other carriers that is subject to certain deductibles. Effective for claims incurred after December 31, 2006, Triad began insuring its claims from $1 million to $5 million through its wholly-owned captive insurance company, replacing the coverage provided by HCA. Substantially all claims occurring during 2007 were self-insured up to $10 million per claim.
     There have been no significant changes in our estimate of the reserve for professional liability claims during the three months ended March 31, 2010.
   Income Taxes
     We must make estimates in recording provision for income taxes, including determination of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities and any valuation allowances that might be required against the deferred tax assets. We believe that future income will enable us to realize these deferred tax assets, subject to the valuation allowance we have established.
     The total amount of unrecognized benefit that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was approximately $8.9 million as of March 31, 2010. It is our policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits in our condensed consolidated statements of income as income tax expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we decreased interest and penalties by approximately $0.4 million. A total of approximately $1.5 million of interest and penalties is included in the amount of liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2010.
     We believe it is reasonably possible that approximately $5.9 million of our current unrecognized tax benefit may be recognized within the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities.
     We, or one or more of our subsidiaries, file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. We have extended the federal statute of limitations for Triad for the tax periods ended December 31, 1999, December 31, 2000, April 30, 2001, June 30, 2001, December 31, 2001, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2003. We are currently under examination by the IRS regarding the federal tax return of Triad for the tax periods ended December 31, 2004, December 31, 2005, December 31, 2006 and July 25, 2007. We believe the results of this examination will not be material to our consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to state income tax examinations for years prior to 2006 and federal income tax examinations with respect to Community Health Systems, Inc. federal returns for years prior to 2006.
     Prior to January 1, 2009, income attributable to noncontrolling interests was deducted from earnings before arriving at income from continuing operations. With the adoption of certain updates to U.S. GAAP related to consolidations effective January 1, 2009, the income attributable to noncontrolling interests has been reclassified below net income and therefore is no longer deducted in arriving at income from continuing operations. However, the provision for income taxes does not change because those less than wholly-owned

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consolidated subsidiaries attribute their taxable income to their respective investors. Accordingly, we will not pay tax on the income attributable to the noncontrolling interests. As a result of separately reporting income that is taxed to others, our effective tax rate on continuing operations before income taxes, as reported on the face of the financial statements is 32.1% and 33.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. However, the actual effective tax rate that is attributable to our share of income from continuing operations before income taxes (income from continuing operations before income taxes, as presented on the face of the condensed consolidated statement of income, less income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests of $15.0 million and $13.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively) is 36.4% and 38.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     Some of the matters discussed in this report include forward-looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “thinks,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the regions in which we operate;
 
    implementation and effect of newly-adopted federal healthcare legislation and potential state healthcare legislation;
 
    risks associated with our substantial indebtedness, leverage and debt service obligations;
 
    demographic changes;
 
    changes in, or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations;
 
    potential adverse impact of known and unknown government investigations, audits and Federal and State False Claims Act litigation;
 
    our ability, where appropriate, to enter into and maintain managed care provider arrangements and the terms of these arrangements;
 
    changes in, or the failure to comply with, managed care provider contracts could result in disputes and changes in reimbursement that could be applied retroactively;
 
    changes in inpatient or outpatient Medicare and Medicaid payment levels;
 
    increases in the amount and risk of collectability of patient accounts receivable;
 
    increases in wages as a result of inflation or competition for highly technical positions and rising supply costs due to market pressure from pharmaceutical companies and new product releases;
 
    liabilities and other claims asserted against us, including self-insured malpractice claims;
 
    competition;
 
    our ability to attract and retain, without significant employment costs, qualified personnel, key management, physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers;
 
    trends toward treatment of patients in less acute or specialty healthcare settings, including ambulatory surgery centers or specialty hospitals;
 
    changes in medical or other technology;

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    changes in U.S. GAAP;
 
    the availability and terms of capital to fund additional acquisitions or replacement facilities;
 
    our ability to successfully acquire additional hospitals and complete the sale of hospitals held for sale;
 
    our ability to successfully integrate any acquired hospitals or to recognize expected synergies from such acquisitions;
 
    our ability to obtain adequate levels of general and professional liability insurance; and
 
    timeliness of reimbursement payments received under government programs.
     Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our goals will be achieved. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this filing. We assume no obligation to update or revise them or provide reasons why actual results may differ.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
     We are exposed to interest rate changes, primarily as a result of our Credit Facility which bears interest based on floating rates. In order to manage the volatility relating to the market risk, we entered into interest rate swap agreements described under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 2. We do not anticipate any material changes in our primary market risk exposures in 2010. We utilize risk management procedures and controls in executing derivative financial instrument transactions. We do not execute transactions or hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Derivative financial instruments related to interest rate sensitivity of debt obligations are used with the goal of mitigating a portion of the exposure when it is cost effective to do so.
     A 1% change in interest rates on variable rate debt in excess of that amount covered by interest rate swaps would have resulted in interest expense fluctuating approximately $1.7 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
     Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of other members of management, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a — 15(e) and 15d — 15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluations, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective (at the reasonable assurance level) to ensure that the information required to be included in this report has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and to ensure that the information required to be included in this report was accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
     There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2010, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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     PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
     From time to time, we receive various inquiries or subpoenas from state regulators, fiscal intermediaries, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Justice regarding various Medicare and Medicaid issues. In addition, we are subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation that is not covered by insurance policies or reserved for in our financial statements or which we believe would have a material adverse impact on us; however, some pending or threatened proceedings against us may involve potentially substantial amounts as well as the possibility of civil, criminal, or administrative fines, penalties, or other sanctions, which could be material. Settlements of suits involving Medicare and Medicaid issues routinely require both monetary payments as well as corporate integrity agreements. Additionally, qui tam or “whistleblower” actions initiated under the civil False Claims Act may be pending but placed under seal by the court to comply with the False Claims Act’s requirements for filing such suits. Recent amendments to the False Claims Act in the Reform Legislation and the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 will make many False Claims Act suits filed after the effective dates of those amendments more difficult and costly to defend.
Community Health Systems, Inc. Legal Proceedings
     On February 10, 2006, we received a letter from the Civil Division of the Department of Justice requesting documents in an investigation it was conducting involving the Company. The inquiry related to the way in which different state Medicaid programs apply to the federal government for matching or supplemental funds that are ultimately used to pay for a small portion of the services provided to Medicaid and indigent patients. These programs are referred to by different names, including “intergovernmental payments,” “upper payment limit programs,” and “Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments.” The February 2006 letter focused on our hospitals in three states: Arkansas, New Mexico, and South Carolina. On August 31, 2006, we received a follow up letter from the Department of Justice requesting additional documents relating to the programs in New Mexico and the payments to the Company’s three hospitals in that state. Through the beginning of 2009, we provided the Department of Justice with requested documents, met with its personnel on numerous occasions, and otherwise cooperated in its investigation. During the course of the investigation, the Civil Division notified us that it believed that we and these three New Mexico hospitals caused the State of New Mexico to submit improper claims for federal funds, in violation of the Federal False Claims Act. At one point, the Civil Division calculated that the three hospitals received ineligible federal participation payments from August 2000 to June 2006 of approximately $27.5 million and said that if it proceeded to trial, it would seek treble damages plus an appropriate penalty for each of the violations of the Federal False Claims Act. This investigation has culminated in the federal government’s intervention in a qui tam lawsuit styled U.S. ex rel. Baker vs. Community Health Systems, Inc., pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. The federal government filed its complaint in intervention on June 30, 2009. The relator filed a second amended complaint on July 1, 2009. Both of these complaints expand the time period during which alleged improper payments were made. We filed motions to dismiss all of the federal government’s and the relator’s claims on August 28, 2009. On March 19, 2010, the court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss as to the relator’s complaint. The court has not ruled on our motion to dismiss the federal government’s complaint in intervention. We are vigorously defending this action.
     On June 12, 2008, two of our hospitals received letters from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York requesting documents in an investigation it was conducting into billing practices with respect to kyphoplasty procedures performed during the period January 1, 2002, through June 9, 2008. On September 16, 2008, one of our hospitals in South Carolina also received an inquiry. Kyphoplasty is a surgical spine procedure that returns a compromised vertebrae (either from trauma or osteoporotic disease process) to its previous height, reducing or eliminating severe pain. We have been informed that similar investigations have been initiated at unaffiliated facilities in Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana and other states. We believe that this investigation is related to a qui tam settlement between the same U.S. Attorney’s office and the manufacturer and distributor of the Kyphon product, which is used in performing the kyphoplasty procedure. We are cooperating with the investigation by collecting and producing material responsive to the requests. We are continuing to evaluate and discuss this matter with the federal government.
     On April 19, 2009, we were served in Roswell, New Mexico with an answer and counterclaim in the case of Roswell Hospital Corporation d/b/a Eastern New Mexico Medical Center vs. Patrick Sisneros and Tammie McClain (sued as Jane Doe Sisneros). The case was originally filed as a collection matter. The counterclaim was filed as a putative class action and alleged theories of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, misrepresentation, prima facie tort, Fair Trade Practices Act and violation of the New Mexico RICO statute. On May 7, 2009, the hospital filed a notice of removal to federal court. On July 27, 2009, the case was remanded to state court for lack of a federal question. A motion to dismiss and a motion to dismiss misjoined counterclaim plaintiffs were filed on October 20, 2009. These motions were denied. Extensive discovery has been conducted. A motion for class certification for all uninsured patients

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was heard on March 3 through March 5, 2010 and on April 13, 2010, the state district court judge certified the case as a class action. We are vigorously defending this action.
     On December 7, 2009, we received a document subpoena from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, or OIG, requesting documents related to our hospital in Laredo, Texas. The categories of documents requested included case management, resource management, admission criteria, patient medical records, coding, billing, compliance, the Joint Commission accreditation, physician documentation, payments to referral sources, transactions involving physicians, disproportionate share hospital status, and audits by the hospital’s Quality Improvement organization. On January 22, 2010, we received a “request for information or assistance” from the OIG’s Office of Investigation requesting patient medical records from Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas for certain Medicaid patients with an extended length of stay. Additional requests for records have also been received. We are cooperating fully with these investigations.
Triad Hospitals, Inc. Legal Proceedings
     In a case styled U.S. ex rel. Bartlett vs. Quorum Health Resources, Inc., et al., pending in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Johnstown Division, the relator alleges in his second amended complaint, filed in January 2006 (the first amended complaint having been dismissed), that Quorum conspired with an unaffiliated hospital to pay an illegal remuneration in violation of the anti-kickback statute and the Stark laws, thus causing false claims to be filed. A renewed motion to dismiss that was filed in March 2006 asserting that the second amended complaint did not cure the defects contained in the first amended complaint. In September 2006, the hospital and one of the other defendants affiliated with the hospital filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code, which imposed an automatic stay on proceedings in the case. Relators entered into a settlement agreement with the hospital, subject to confirmation of the hospital’s reorganization plan. The District Court conducted a status conference on January 30, 2009 and later convened another conference on March 30, 2009 and heard arguments on whether to proceed with a motion to dismiss, but did not make a ruling. We believe that this case is without merit and should the stay be lifted, will continue to vigorously defend it.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
     Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009 includes a listing of risk factors to be considered by investors in our securities. Appearing below is an update of one of the risk factors in the Form 10-K.
  We are subject to uncertainties regarding healthcare reform.
     The PPACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010. In addition, the Reconciliation Act, which contains a number of amendments to PPACA, was signed into law on March 30, 2010. These healthcare bills, referred to collectively as the Reform Legislation, will ultimately increase the number of persons with access to health insurance in the United States by requiring substantially all U.S. citizens to maintain medical insurance coverage. The Reform Legislation should result in a reduction in uninsured patients, which should reduce our expense from uncollectible accounts receivable; however, this legislation makes a number of other changes to Medicare and Medicaid, such as reductions to the annual market basket update for federal fiscal years 2010 through 2019, a productivity offset to the market basket update beginning October 1, 2011 and a reduction to the disproportionate share payments, that could adversely impact the reimbursement received under these programs. The various provisions in the Reform Legislation that directly or indirectly affect reimbursement are scheduled to take effect over a number of years, and we cannot predict their impact at this time. Other provisions of the Reform Legislation, such as requirements related to employee health insurance coverage, should increase our operating costs.
     Also included in the Reform Legislation are provisions aimed at reducing fraud, waste and abuse in the healthcare industry. These provisions allocate significant additional resources to federal enforcement agencies and expand the use of private contractors to recover potentially inappropriate Medicare and Medicaid payments. The Reform Legislation amends several existing federal laws, including the Medicare Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act, making it easier for government agencies and private plaintiffs to prevail in lawsuits brought against healthcare providers. These amendments also make it easier for potentially severe fines and penalties to be imposed on healthcare providers accused of violating applicable laws and regulations.
     In a number of markets, we have partnered with local physicians in the ownership of our facilities. Such investments have been permitted under an exception to the physician self-referral law that allows physicians to invest in an entire hospital (as opposed to individual hospital departments). The Reform Legislation changes that “whole hospital” exception to the Stark Law. The Reform Legislation permits existing physician investments in a whole hospital to continue under a “grandfather” clause if the arrangement satisfies certain requirements and restrictions, but physicians are prohibited, effective immediately, from increasing the aggregate

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percentage of their ownership in the hospital. The Reform Legislation also restricts the ability of existing physician-owned hospitals to expand the capacity of their facilities. Physician investments in hospitals that are under development are protected by the grandfather clause only if the physician investments have been made and the hospital has a Medicare provider agreement as of a specific date. However, ambiguities in the Reform Legislation have created uncertainty regarding the precise cut-off date for satisfying the grandfathering provision. We are monitoring developments in this area.
     The impact of the Reform Legislation on each of our hospitals will vary depending on payor mix and a variety of other factors. We anticipate that many of the provisions in the Reform Legislation will be subject to further clarification and modification through the rule-making process, the development of agency guidance and judicial interpretations. Moreover, a number of state attorneys general are challenging the legality of certain aspects of the Reform Legislation. We cannot predict the impact the Reform Legislation may have on our business, results of operations, cash flow, capital resources and liquidity. Furthermore, we cannot predict whether we will be able to modify certain aspects of our operations to offset any potential adverse consequences from the Reform Legislation.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
     We have not paid any cash dividends since our inception, and do not anticipate the payment of cash dividends in the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2010, our Credit Facility limits our ability to pay dividends and/or repurchase stock to an amount not to exceed $400 million in the aggregate (but not in excess of $200 million unless we receive confirmation from Moody’s and S&P that dividends or repurchases would not result in a downgrade, qualification or withdrawal of the then corporate credit rating). The indenture governing our Notes also limits our ability to pay dividends and/or repurchase stock. As of March 31, 2010, under the most restrictive test under these agreements, we have approximately $99.0 million remaining available with which to pay permitted dividends and/or make stock and Note repurchases.
     In 2009, we discovered that we had inadvertently not fully complied with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to our common stock purchased in the open market on behalf of participants in certain of our employee 401(k) plans. As a result, certain plan participants who purchased these shares were offered rescission rights with respect to their interests in our common stock purchased and/or held under these plans. Based upon a final review of the rescission offer that ended on February 11, 2010, 793 shares of common stock were repurchased by us and other payments were made for a total of approximately $40,000. We have fulfilled the registration requirements as of December 31, 2009 in order to become fully compliant on an ongoing basis.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
     None
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)
Item 5. Other Information
     None

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Item 6. Exhibits
         
No.   Description
  4.1    
Eighth Supplemental Indenture relating to CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.’s 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2015, dated as of March 31, 2010, by and among CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association
       
 
  4.2    
Release of Certain Guarantors relating to CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.’s 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2015, dated as of March 31, 2010, by and among CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association
       
 
  12    
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  32.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.                        (Registrant)
 
 
  By:   /s/Wayne T. Smith    
    Wayne T. Smith   
    Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer) 
 
 
     
  By:   /s/ W. Larry Cash    
    W. Larry Cash   
    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Director
(principal financial officer) 
 
 
     
  By:   /s/ T. Mark Buford    
    T. Mark Buford   
    Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer) 
 
 
Date: April 28, 2010

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Index to Exhibits
         
No.   Description
  4.1    
Eighth Supplemental Indenture relating to CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.’s 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2015, dated as of March 31, 2010, by and among CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association
       
 
  4.2    
Release of Certain Guarantors relating to CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.’s 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2015, dated as of March 31, 2010, by and among CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association
       
 
  12    
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  32.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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