EXHIBIT 23.1


                        Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of HCA
Inc. for the registration of 16,776,193 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 5, 2001, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of HCA Inc. (formerly known as
HCA - The Healthcare Company) included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Nashville, TN
January 16, 2002