Exhibit 5

601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 446-4800	Facsimile:
www.kirkland.com	(212) 446-6460

September 16, 2011

Community Health Systems, Inc.
4000 Meridian Boulevard
Franklin, Tennessee 37067

          Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We are providing this letter in our capacity as special counsel to Community Health Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing by the Company of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) covering the offering of up to 1,200,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Plan Shares”) pursuant to the Community Health Systems, Inc. 2009 Stock Option and Award Plan, amended and restated as of March 18, 2011 (the “2009 Plan”).

     For purposes of this letter, we have examined such documents, records, certificates, resolutions and other instruments deemed necessary as a basis for this opinion.

     Based upon and subject to the assumptions and limitations stated in this letter, we advise you that the Plan Shares are duly authorized and, when (i) the Registration Statement related to the Plan Shares becomes effective under the Act and (ii) the Plan Shares have been duly issued in accordance with the terms of the 2009 Plan in accordance with the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws, the Plan Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     Our opinion expressed above is subject to the qualification that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of any laws except the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

     We have relied without independent investigation upon, among other things, an assurance from the Company that the number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue in its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation exceeds the number of shares outstanding

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Community Health Systems, Inc.
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and the number of shares which the Company is obligated to issue (or had otherwise reserved for issuance) for any purposes other than issuances in connection with the 2009 Plan by at least the number of Plan Shares which may be issued in connection with the 2009 Plan and we have assumed that such condition will remain true at all future times relevant to this opinion. We have assumed that the Company will cause certificates, if any, representing the Plan Shares issued in the future to be properly executed and delivered and will take all other actions appropriate for the issuances of such Plan Shares. Our opinion assumes that the Registration Statement related to the Plan Shares will become effective under the Act before any Plan Shares covered by such Registration Statement are sold.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

     We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states to the issuance and sale of the Plan Shares.

     This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the present laws of the State of Delaware be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.

     This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose.

Sincerely,

/s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP