Announced Actions for September 5, 1997

Applications for Approval of Transactions: The FTC has shortened the comment period to 15 days on the application to approve a transaction from the following entity. The Commission is seeking comments on the application until Sept. 12.

• Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, of Nashville, Tennessee, has applied for FTC approval to divest its interest in the South Seminole Hospital Joint Venture (SSH Joint Venture) and in the affiliated Hospital Development Properties, Inc./Healthnet Services, Inc. Joint Venture (HDPI/HSI Joint Venture) to Orlando Regional Healthcare System, of Orlando, Florida. The SSH Joint Venture operates the South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, Florida; the HDPI/HSI Joint Venture relates to the development of a medical office building adjacent to that hospital. The FTC previously had denied Columbia/HCA's request to divest the SSH Joint Venture interest to Orlando Regional Healthcare System because Columbia/HCA failed to submit a divestiture agreement for review by the Commission. Subsequently, the Commission appointed Robert C. Crosby as trustee to complete the divestiture and the application, that is the subject of this announcement, was submitted by Crosby. Divestiture of Columbia/HCA's interest in the SSH Joint Venture is required under a 1995 consent order settling FTC charges that Columbia/HCA's acquisition of Healthtrust, Inc. would substantially reduce hospital competition in areas of Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Utah. (See August 28, 1997 news release, Oct. 5, 1995 news release and June 7, 1996 news advisory for more details regarding this matter; Docket No. C-3619.) Staff contact is Elizabeth Piotrowski, 202-326-2623.

Comments on the application should be addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Copies of the documents referenced above are available from the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, at the same address; 202-326-2222; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710. FTC news releases and other materials also are available on the Internet at the FTC's World Wide Web site at: http://www.ftc.gov