EXHIBIT 99


HCA

                                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INVESTOR CONTACT:                                    MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Kimbrough                                       Jeff Prescott
615-344-2688                                         615-344-5708


                              HCA BOARD AUTHORIZES
                      $1.5 BILLION SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

         NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, APRIL 29, 2003 - HCA (NYSE: HCA) today announced
its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of $1.5 billion of its
common stock. HCA expects to repurchase its shares from time-to-time through
open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions.

         "We believe the repurchase of our stock at current price levels
represents an excellent investment opportunity for the Company. The Company
expects to temporarily exceed its leverage targets; however, our goal is to be
at or below these target levels sometime in 2004. The repurchase program will
not jeopardize the Company's ongoing capital investments in its communities,"
stated Jack O. Bovender, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCA.

          Since the beginning of 2003, the Company has repurchased approximately
4.5 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $172 million. The
Company has approximately 1.3 million shares remaining under its prior share
repurchase authorization. The Company has approximately 511 million shares
outstanding as of today.

                                  * * *

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current
management expectations. Those forward looking statements include all statements
other than those made solely with respect to historical fact. Numerous risks,
uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include,
but are not limited to (i) the ability to complete and the impact of the
previously announced and new share repurchase programs, (ii) the ability to
enter into definitive written agreements with regard to, and to consummate, the
understanding with attorneys of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice
and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and obtain court approval
thereof, (iii) the highly competitive nature of the health care business, (iv)
the efforts of insurers, health care providers and others to contain health care
costs, (v) possible changes in the Medicare and Medicaid programs (including
currently proposed changes to Medicare outlier payments) that may impact
reimbursements to health care providers and insurers, (vi) changes in Federal,
state or local regulation affecting the health care industry, (vii) the possible
enactment of Federal or state health care reform, (viii) the ability to attract
and retain qualified management and personnel, including affiliated physicians,
nurses and medical support personnel, (ix) liabilities and other claims asserted
against the Company, (x) fluctuations in the market value of the Company's
common stock, (xi) changes in accounting practices, (xii) changes in general
economic conditions, (xiii) future divestitures which may result in additional
charges, (xiv) changes in revenue mix and the ability to enter into and renew
managed care provider arrangements on acceptable terms, (xv) the availability
and terms of capital to fund the expansion of the Company's business, (xvi)
changes in business strategy or development plans, (xvii) delays in receiving
payments, (xviii) the ability to implement the Company's shared services and
other initiatives and realize a decrease in administrative, supply and
infrastructure costs, (xix) the outcome of pending and any future tax audits and
litigation associated with the Company's tax positions, (xx) the outcome of the
Company's continuing efforts to monitor, maintain and comply with appropriate
laws, regulations, policies and procedures and the Company's corporate integrity
agreement with the government, (xxi) increased reviews of the Company's cost
reports, (xxii) the ability to achieve expected levels of patient volumes and
control the costs of providing services, (xxiii) the impact of charity care
policy changes, (xxiv) the ability to successfully integrate the operations of
Health Midwest and fund expected capital improvements, (xxv) the ability to
develop and implement the financial enterprise resource planning ("ERP") and
millennium accounts receivable system ("MARS") information systems within the
expected time and cost projections and, upon implementation, to realize the
expected benefits and efficiencies, and (xxvi) other risk factors detailed from
time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC. Many of the factors that
will determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability of the
Company to control or predict. Readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date
hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any
forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

All references to "Company" and "HCA" as used throughout this document refer to
HCA Inc. and its affiliates.