HCA Reports Second Quarter 2008 Results(e second quarter of 2008 from $2.654 bil...),Health

The provision for doubtful accounts increased to $813 million, or 11.7 percent of revenues, in the second quarter of 2008 from $753 million, or 11.2 percent of revenues, in the second quarter of 2007. Same facility uninsured admissions increased 1.0 percent in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the prior year's second quarter.

We reached a settlement with the IRS Appeals Division regarding certain 2001 and 2002 issues during the second quarter of 2008 and the settlement resulted in a $38 million reduction to our provision for income taxes for the second quarter of 2008.

Interest expense decreased to $494 million in the second quarter of 2008, compared to $557 million in the same period of 2007, due to reductions in both our average debt balance and the average interest rate on our debt.

Same facility admissions increased 1.3 percent and same facility equivalent admissions increased 2.0 percent in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the prior year's second quarter. Same facility inpatient surgeries declined 0.5 percent and outpatient surgeries declined 0.7 percent in the second quarter. Same facility revenue per equivalent admission increased 3.0 percent in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007 due primarily to changes in service and payor mix.

Same facility charity and uninsured discounts totaled $869 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $707 million in the second quarter of 2007.

As of June 30, 2008, HCA's balance sheet reflected cash and cash equivalents of $368 million, total debt of $27.615 billion, and total assets of $24.070 billion. During the second quarter, capital ex
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