Deliveries at HCA hospitals were off 5.2 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2009. So far this year, deliveries are down 4.1 percent, CEO Richard Bracken said in an earnings call today with analysts. Fewer deliveries means fewer admissions, a key measure of hospitals' business. Same facility admissions at HCA hospitals fell 0.3 percent in the second quarter 
Share:  Deliveries at <span class="company">HCA</span> hospitals were off 5.2 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2009. <span class="sent">So far this year, deliveries are down 4.1 percent, CEO <span class="analyst">Richard Bracken</span> said in an earnings call today with analysts.</span> Fewer deliveries means fewer admissions, a key measure of hospitals' business. Same facility admissions at <span class="company">HCA</span> hospitals fell 0.3 percent in the second quarter....Same facility admissions at <span class="company">HCA</span> hospitals fell 0.3 percent in the second quarter. <span class="sent">Adjusting for the decline in deliveries, admissions would have grown 0.5 percent for the quarter, <span class="analyst">Bracken</span> said.</span> "Our thinking regarding this reduced delivery volume is that, while some of this is related to market share loss due to competitive factors, the significant majority of this reduction is related to a decreasing birthrate trend in the markets we serve," he said. After climbing steadily from 2003 to 2007, U. S birth rates have been on the decline since 2008, the year that the economic recession began, according to the Pew Research Center . Tweet this   read full story

Buying 473 bed Mercy Hospital would expand HCA's presence in South Florida that includes sites in Kendall and Aventura in Miami Dade County."The addition of Mercy … creates a corridor of care that enables us to better serve the community," said Michael G. Joseph, the president of HCA's East Florida division. Mercy is expected to retain its name and Catholic identity. The deal comes as HCA prepares for an initial public offering that would mark its return as a publicly traded company 
Share:  Buying 473 bed Mercy Hospital would expand <span class="company">HCA</span>'s presence in South Florida that includes sites in Kendall and Aventura in Miami Dade County."The <span class="sent">addition of Mercy … creates a corridor of care that enables us to better serve the community," said Michael G. Joseph, the president of <span class="company">HCA</span>'s East Florida division.</span> Mercy is expected to retain its name and Catholic identity. The deal comes as <span class="company">HCA</span> prepares for an initial public offering that would mark its return as a publicly traded company... Tweet this   read full story

Officials with both companies touted the pending deal — HCA's second this year — as a way to improve their care of patients in the area. "The acquisition of Mercy will nicely complement our existing presence in the area," Michael Joseph, HCA's East Florida Division president, said in a statement. Mercy operates 473 beds and is endorsed as a Catholic Hospital by the Archbishop of Miami. Manuel Anton, president and CEO of the hospital, said the hospital will continue "adhering to the principles of faith" necessary to remain a Catholic hospital. 
Share:  Officials with both companies touted the pending deal — <span class="company">HCA</span>'s second this year — as a way to improve their care of patients in the area. <span class="sent">"The acquisition of Mercy will nicely complement our existing presence in the area," <span class="analyst">Michael Joseph</span>, <span class="company">HCA</span>'s East Florida Division president, said in a statement.</span> Mercy operates 473 beds and is endorsed as a Catholic Hospital by the Archbishop of Miami. Manuel Anton, president and CEO of the hospital, said the hospital will continue "adhering to the principles of faith" necessary to remain a Catholic hospital. Tweet this   read full story

KDP, meanwhile, upgraded its recommendation on HCA's 9.25 percent second priority senior secured bonds due 2016 to buy, from hold, and reiterated a buy recommendation on the company's 5.75 percent bonds due 2014. 
Share:  <span class="sent">KDP, meanwhile, upgraded its recommendation on HCA's 9.25 percent second priority senior secured bonds due 2016 to buy, from hold, and reiterated a buy recommendation on the company's 5.75 percent bonds due 2014.</span> Tweet this   read full story

KDP, meanwhile, upgraded its recommendation on HCA's 9.25 percent second priority senior secured bonds due 2016 to buy, from hold, and reiterated a buy recommendation on the company's 5.75 percent bonds due 2014. 
Share:  <span class="sent">KDP, meanwhile, upgraded its recommendation on HCA's 9.25 percent second priority senior secured bonds due 2016 to buy, from hold, and reiterated a buy recommendation on the company's 5.75 percent bonds due 2014.</span> Tweet this   read full story