Community Health Systems
CYH
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Community Health Systems - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2001

Commission file number 001-15925


COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 13-3893191
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)

155 Franklin Road, Suite 400
Brentwood, Tennessee
(Address of principal executive offices)

37027
(Zip Code)

615-373-9600
(Registrant's telephone number)



Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.



Yes X No
-------- ------


As of May 10, 2001, there were outstanding 86,134,372 shares of the
Registrant's Common Stock, $.01 par value.
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2001



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page

<S> <C> <C>
PART I. Financial Information

ITEM 1. Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 2

Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2001
and March 31, 2000 3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months Ended March 31, 2001
and March 31, 2000 4

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 5

ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results of
Operations 6

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 12

PART II. Other Information

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings 13

ITEM 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 13

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 13

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 13

ITEM 5. Other information 13

ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 13


SIGNATURES 14
</TABLE>
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
2001 2000
-------------------- --------------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,216 $ 13,740
Patients accounts receivable, net 313,117 309,826
Supplies 40,247 39,679
Prepaid expenses and income taxes 17,733 19,989
Current deferred income taxes 2,233 2,233
Other current assets 21,820 23,110
-------------------- -------------------
Total current assets 418,366 408,577
-------------------- -------------------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 874,781 850,201
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (155,815) (142,120)
-------------------- -------------------
Property and equipment, net 718,966 708,081
-------------------- -------------------
GOODWILL, NET 981,596 985,568
-------------------- -------------------
OTHER ASSETS, NET 103,012 111,611
-------------------- -------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,221,940 $ 2,213,837
==================== ===================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 17,144 $ 17,433
Accounts payable 84,992 83,191
Current income taxes payable 9,961 -
Accrued interest 17,012 27,389
Accrued liabilities 106,118 112,860
-------------------- -------------------
Total current liabilities 235,227 240,873
-------------------- -------------------
LONG-TERM DEBT 1,204,610 1,201,590
-------------------- -------------------
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 15,127 15,200
-------------------- -------------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized,
none issued - -
Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized;
87,109,921 and 87,105,562 shares issued; 86,134,372 and 86,137,582
shares outstanding at March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000,
respectively 871 871
Additional paid-in capital 998,099 998,092
Accumulated deficit (224,935) (235,783)
Treasury stock, at cost, 975,549 and 967,980 shares at March 31, 2001 and
December 31, 2000, respectively (6,678) (6,587)
Notes receivable for common stock (307) (334)
Unearned stock compensation (74) (85)
-------------------- -------------------
Total stockholders' equity 766,976 756,174
-------------------- -------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 2,221,940 $ 2,213,837
==================== ===================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.




2
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
-----------------------------------
2001 2000
---------------- -----------------

<S> <C> <C>
NET OPERATING REVENUES $ 398,645 $ 308,651
---------------- -----------------

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Salaries and benefits 153,734 120,407
Provision for bad debts 36,973 27,955
Supplies 46,759 35,979
Other operating expenses 74,090 57,130
Rent 9,841 7,099
Depreciation and amortization 21,461 16,380
Amortization of goodwill 7,046 6,168
---------------- -----------------

Total operating costs and expenses 349,904 271,118
---------------- -----------------

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 48,741 37,533

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 27,553 32,683
---------------- -----------------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 21,188 4,850

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 10,340 3,929
---------------- -----------------

NET INCOME $ 10,848 $ 921
================ =================


NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.02
================ =================
Diluted $ 0.12 $ 0.02
================ =================

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic 85,528,371 54,634,285
================ =================
Diluted 87,576,420 55,838,214
================ =================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.



3
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
------------------------------
2001 2000
-------------- --------------

<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 10,848 $ 921
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 28,507 22,548
Stock compensation expense 11 -
Other non-cash expenses, net 2,828 1,276
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of
acquistions and divestitures:
Patient accounts receivable (3,290) (2,511)
Supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,976 (4,595)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes (5,357) (16,275)
Other (4,968) (6,309)
-------------- --------------

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 31,555 (4,945)
-------------- --------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquistions of facilities, pursuant to purchase agreements - (21,392)
Purchases of property and equipment (18,577) (12,002)
Proceeds from sale of equipment 53 7
Increase in other assets (6,205) (5,036)
-------------- --------------

Net cash used in investing activities (24,729) (38,423)
-------------- --------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance (repurchase) of common stock, net (82) -
Borrowings under credit agreement 20,000 67,400
Repayments of long-term indebtedness (17,268) (17,429)
-------------- --------------

Net cash provided by financing activities 2,650 49,971
-------------- --------------

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 9,476 6,603

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 13,740 4,282
-------------- --------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 23,216 $ 10,885
============== ==============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.



4
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Community Health
Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of and for the three month
periods ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 2000, have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of
management, such information contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such
periods. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The
results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2001 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year
ending December 31, 2001.

Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to
consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted as permitted by
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although
the Company believes the disclosure is adequate to make the information
presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2000 contained in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2. USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management of the Company to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial
statements. Actual results could differ from the estimates.

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share (in thousands, except share and per share data):

THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
2001 2000
-------------- -------------
NUMERATOR:
Net income $ 10,848 $ 921
============== =============

DENOMINATOR:
Weighted-average number of shares
outstanding--basic 85,528,371 54,634,285
Effect of dilutive options 2,048,049 1,203,929
-------------- -------------
Weighted-average number of shares
outstanding--diluted 87,576,420 55,838,214
============== =============
Basic earnings per share $ 0.13 $ 0.02
============== =============
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.12 $ 0.02
============== =============

4. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT ADOPTED

SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", is
effective for all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 133, as
amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts and for hedging activities. Under SFAS No. 133, certain contracts that
were not formerly considered derivatives may now meet the definition of a
derivative. The Company adopted SFAS No. 133 on January 1, 2001. The adoption of
SFAS No. 133 did not impact the financial position, results of operations, or
cash flows of the Company.



5
ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

SOURCES OF OPERATING REVENUE

Net operating revenues include amounts estimated by management to be
reimbursable by Medicare and Medicaid under prospective payment
systems and provisions of cost-reimbursement and other payment
methods. Approximately 46% of net operating revenues for the three
month periods ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 2000 are related to
services rendered to patients covered by the Medicare and Medicaid
programs. In addition, we are reimbursed by non-governmental payors
using a variety of payment methodologies. Amounts we receive for
treatment of patients covered by these programs are generally less
than the standard billing rates. We account for the differences
between the estimated program reimbursement rates and the standard
billing rates as contractual adjustments, which we deduct from gross
revenues to arrive at net operating revenues. Final settlements
under some of these programs are subject to adjustment based on
administrative review and audit by third parties. We record
adjustments to the estimated billings in the periods that such
adjustments become known. We account for adjustments to previous
program reimbursement estimates as contractual adjustments and
report them in future periods as final settlements are determined.
Adjustments related to final settlements or appeals that increased
revenue were insignificant in each of the three month periods ended
March 31, 2001 and 2000. Net amounts due to third-party payors as of
March 31, 2001 were $12.0 million and as of December 31, 2000 were
$2.3 million. We included these amounts in accrued liabilities in
the accompanying balance sheets. Substantially all Medicare and
Medicaid cost reports are final settled through 1997.

We expect the percentage of our net revenues received from the
Medicare program to increase due to the general aging of the
population and the restoration of some payments under the Balanced
Budget Refinement Act of 1999 and Benefit and Improvement Protection
Act of 2000. The payment rates under the Medicare program for
inpatients are based on a prospective payment system, based upon the
diagnosis of a patient. While these rates are indexed annually for
inflation, the increases have historically been less than actual
inflation. Reductions in the rate of increase in Medicare
reimbursement may have an adverse impact on our net operating
revenue growth.

The implementation of Medicare's new prospective payment system for
outpatient hospital care, effective August 1, 2000, had a favorable,
but not material impact to our overall operating results. The Health
Care Financing Administration estimated that this new prospective
payment system, which began August 1, 2000, will result in an
overall 9.7% increase in projected outpatient payments over the
previously intended reductions.

In December 2000, the Benefit Improvement and Protection Act of 2000
became law. It is estimated that the changes to be implemented to
many facets of the Medicare reimbursement system will increase
reimbursement. We do not believe these increases will be material to
our overall operating results.

In addition, Medicaid programs, insurance companies, and employers
are actively negotiating the amounts paid to hospitals as opposed to
their standard rates. The trend toward increased enrollment in
managed care may adversely affect our net operating revenue growth.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our hospitals offer a variety of services involving a broad range of
inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services. These
include orthopedics, cardiology, OB/GYN, occupational medicine,
rehabilitation treatment, home health, and skilled nursing. The
strongest demand for hospital services generally occurs during
January through April and the weakest demand for these services
occurs during the summer months. Accordingly, eliminating the effect
of new acquisitions, our net operating revenues and earnings are
generally highest during the first quarter and lowest during the
third quarter.



6
The following tables summarize, for the periods indicated, selected operating
data.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
2001 2000
----------- -----------
(EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF

NET OPERATING REVENUES)

<S> <C> <C>
Net operating revenues 100.0 100.0
Operating expenses (a) 80.6 80.5
----------- -----------
EBITDA (b) 19.4 19.5
Depreciation and amortization 5.4 5.3
Amortization of goodwill 1.8 2.0
----------- -----------
Income from operations 12.2 12.2
Interest, net 6.9 10.6
----------- -----------
Income before income taxes 5.3 1.6
Provision for income taxes 2.6 1.3
----------- -----------
Net income 2.7 0.3
=========== ===========

<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
MARCH 31, 2001
----------------
PERCENTAGE CHANGE FROM SAME PERIOD PRIOR YEAR: (EXPRESSED IN PERCENTAGES)
<S> <C>
Net operating revenues 29.2
Admissions 23.6
Adjusted admissions (c) 22.2
Average length of stay (2.5)
EBITDA 28.6

SAME-HOSPITALS PERCENTAGE CHANGE FROM SAME PERIOD PRIOR YEAR (D):
Net operating revenues 10.6
Admissions 6.7
Adjusted admissions 5.5
EBITDA 14.4
</TABLE>
- ------------
(a) Operating expenses include salaries and benefits, provision for bad debts,
supplies, rent, and other operating expenses.

(b) EBITDA consists of income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization, and amortization of goodwill. EBITDA should not be considered a
measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles.
Items excluded from EBITDA are significant components in understanding and
assessing financial performance. EBITDA is a key measure used by management to
evaluate our operations and provide useful information to investors. EBITDA
should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income, cash
flows generated by operations, investing or financing activities, or other
financial statement data presented in the consolidated financial statements as
indicators of financial performance or liquidity. Because EBITDA is not a
measurement determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and is thus susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA as presented
may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

(c) Adjusted admissions is a general measure of combined inpatient and
outpatient volume. We computed adjusted admissions by multiplying admissions by
gross patient revenues and then dividing that number by gross inpatient
revenues.

(d) Includes acquired hospitals to the extent we operated them during comparable
periods in both years. The three months ended March 31, 2000 includes one more
business day in the quarter due to leap year.



7
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000

Net operating revenues increased by 29.2% to $398.6 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2001 from $308.7 million for the three months ended March 31,
2000. Of the $89.9 million increase in net operating revenues, the seven
hospitals we acquired in 2000 contributed approximately $57.2 million, and
hospitals we owned throughout both periods contributed $32.7 million, an
increase of 10.6%. The increase from hospitals owned throughout both periods was
attributable primarily to volume increases, rate increases from managed care and
other payors and an increase in government reimbursement making up for the 2001
period having one fewer day as compared to the 2000 period, resulting from 2000
being a leap year.

Inpatient admissions increased by 23.6%. Adjusted admissions increased by 22.2%.
Adjusted admissions is a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient
volume. We computed adjusted admissions by multiplying admissions by gross
patient revenues and then dividing that number by gross inpatient revenues.
Average length of stay decreased by 2.5%. On a same-hospital basis, inpatient
admissions increased by 6.7% and adjusted admissions increased by 5.5%. The
increase in same-hospital inpatient admissions and adjusted admissions was due
primarily to an increase in services offered, physician relationship development
efforts and the addition of physicians through our focused recruitment program.
On a same-hospital basis, net outpatient revenues increased 12.7%.

Operating expenses, as a percentage of net operating revenues, increased from
80.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2000 to 80.6% for the three months
ended March 31, 2001, primarily due to an increase in provision for bad debts
and increases in utilities expense, offset by improvements in salaries and
benefits. Operating expenses include salaries and benefits, provision for bad
debts, supplies, rent and other operating expenses. Salaries and benefits, as a
percentage of net operating revenues, decreased to 38.6% from 39.0% for the
comparable periods, due to the continued realization of savings from
improvements made at the hospitals acquired in 1999, offset by the acquisitions
made in 2000 having higher salaries and benefits as a percentage of net
operating revenues for which savings have not yet been realized. Provision for
bad debts, as a percentage of net operating revenues, increased to 9.3% for the
three months ended March 31, 2001 from 9.1% for the comparable period in 2000.
Supplies as a percentage of net operating revenues remained unchanged at 11.7%
for the comparable periods in 2000 and 2001. Rent and other operating expenses,
as a percentage of net operating revenues, increased from 20.8% for the three
months ended March 31, 2000 to 21.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2001.
EBITDA margin decreased from 19.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2000 to
19.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2001 due to the lower initial EBITDA
margins associated with hospitals acquired in 2000.

On a same-hospital basis, operating expenses as a percentage of net operating
revenues decreased from 80.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2000 to 80.2%
for the three months ended March 31, 2001. We achieved this reduction through
efficiency and productivity gains in payroll and supplies expense reductions,
offset by an increase in bad debt expense and other operating expenses.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $5.1 million from $16.4 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2000 to $21.5 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2001. The seven hospitals acquired in 2000 accounted for $1.3
million of the increase, facility renovations and purchases of equipment,
information systems upgrades, the inclusion of a hospital previously held for
divestiture and other deferred items accounted for the remaining $3.8 million.

Amortization of goodwill increased from $6.2 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2000 to $7.0 million for the comparable period in 2001. The increase
was related to hospitals acquired in 2000.

Interest, net decreased by $5.1 million from $32.7 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2000 to $27.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001.
The decrease in average long-term debt during the three months ended March 31,
2001 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2000 accounted for $5.3
million of the decrease offset by an increase in rates and a decrease in the
number of days in the 2001 period as compared to the 2000 period. The decrease
in average debt balance is the result of debt repayments from proceeds raised
from the issuance of common stock in 2000 subsequent to March 31,



8
2000 more than offsetting additional sums borrowed to finance hospital
acquisitions and compliance settlement costs.

Income before income taxes increased from $4.9 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2000 to $21.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001
primarily as a result the continuing execution of our operating strategy, a full
quarter's results from hospitals acquired during 2000 and increased volumes at
hospitals owned during both periods.

Provision for income taxes increased from $3.9 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2000 to $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001
as a result of the increase in pre-tax income.

Net income was $10.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared
to net income of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2000.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $36.5 million to $31.6
million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 from a cash use of $4.9
million for the three months ended March 31, 2000. This increase represents an
increase in net income of $9.9 million, an increase in non-cash expenses of $7.5
million and an increase of cash from working capital of $19.1 million when
comparing the three month periods ended March 31, 2001 and 2000. The use of cash
from investing activities decreased from $38.4 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2000 to $24.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001.
This decrease is the result of the 2000 period containing an acquisition for
$21.4 million offset by an increase in capital and other expenditures of $7.7
million during the 2001 period. Net cash provided by financing activities
decreased $47.3 million during the comparable periods as a result of not
borrowing for an acquisition during the 2001 period and a reduction in
borrowings to meet capital expenditure and working capital needs.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

We expect to incur total capital expenditures of approximately $90 million in
2001, including $60 million for renovation and equipment purchases and $30
million for construction of replacement hospitals. Under hospital purchase
agreements in effect as of March 31, 2001, we are obligated to construct four
replacement hospitals through 2005 with an aggregate estimated construction
cost, including equipment, of approximately $120 million. During the three
months ended March 31, 2001, we incurred expenditures of $4.8 million related to
these replacement hospitals.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net working capital was $183.1 million at March 31, 2001 compared to $167.7
million at December 31, 2000. The $15.4 million increase was attributable
primarily to an increase in cash and cash equivalents, an increase in accounts
receivable consistent with the increase in net revenues and a decrease in
accrued interest and other current liabilities.

Our amended credit agreement provides for $644 million in term debt with
quarterly amortization and staggered maturities in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and
2005. This agreement also provides for revolving facility debt for working
capital of $200 million and acquisitions of $263.2 million at March 31, 2001.
This revolving facility matures on December 31, 2002. Borrowings under the
facility bear interest at either LIBOR or prime rate plus various applicable
margins which are based upon financial covenant ratio tests. As of March 31,
2001, under our Credit Agreement, our weighted average interest rate was 8.96%.
As of March 31, 2001, we had availability to borrow an additional $141.2 million
under the working capital revolving facility and an additional $193.2 million
under the acquisition loan revolving facility.

We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee at a rate which ranges from
.375% to .500% based on specified financial performance criteria. This fee
applies to unused commitments under the revolving credit facility and the
acquisition loan facility.



9
The terms of the credit agreement include various restrictive covenants. These
covenants include restrictions on additional indebtedness, investments, asset
sales, capital expenditures, dividends, sale and leasebacks, contingent
obligations, transactions with affiliates, and fundamental changes. The
covenants also require maintenance of various ratios regarding senior
indebtedness, senior interest, and fixed charges.

We believe that internally generated cash flows and borrowings under our
revolving credit facility and acquisition facility will be sufficient to finance
acquisitions, capital expenditures and working capital requirements through the
next 12 months. If funds required for future acquisitions exceed existing
sources of capital, we will need to increase our credit facilities or obtain
additional capital by other means.

REIMBURSEMENT, LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY CHANGES

Legislative and regulatory action has resulted in continuing change in the
Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs which will continue to limit
payment increases under these programs. Within the statutory framework of the
Medicare and Medicaid programs, there are substantial areas subject to
administrative rulings, interpretations, and discretion which may further affect
payments made under those programs, and the federal and state governments might,
in the future, reduce the funds available under those programs or require more
stringent utilization and quality reviews of hospital facilities. Additionally,
there may be a continued rise in managed care programs and future restructuring
of the financing and delivery of healthcare in the United States. These events
could have an adverse effect on our future financial results.

INFLATION

The healthcare industry is labor intensive. Wages and other expenses increase
during periods of inflation and when labor shortages occur in the marketplace.
In addition, suppliers pass along rising costs to us in the form of higher
prices. We have implemented cost control measures, including our case and
resource management program, to curb increases in operating costs and expenses.
We have, to date, offset increases in operating costs by increasing
reimbursement for services and expanding services. However, we cannot predict
our ability to cover or offset future cost increases.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS

The Internal Revenue Service is examining our filed federal income tax returns
for the tax periods ended between December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1996. The
Internal Revenue Service has indicated that it is considering a number of
adjustments, primarily involving temporary or timing differences. To date, a
revenue agent's report has not been issued in connection with the examination of
these tax periods. While we anticipate a resolution of the current examinations
within the next six months, we do not expect that the ultimate outcome of the
Internal Revenue Service examinations will have a material effect on us.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the matters discussed in this filing include forward-looking statements.
Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future
events or conditions or that include words such as "expects," "anticipates,"
"intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "thinks," and similar expressions
are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results and
performance to be materially different from any future results or performance
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include
the following:

o general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the
regions in which we operate;
o demographic changes;
o existing governmental regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply
with, governmental regulations or our corporate compliance agreement;




10
o     legislative proposals for healthcare reform;
o our ability, where appropriate, to enter into managed care provider
arrangements and the terms of these arrangements;
o changes in Medicare and Medicaid payment levels;
o liability and other claims asserted against us;
o competition;
o our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including
physicians;
o trends toward treatment of patients in lower acuity healthcare settings;
o changes in medical or other technology;
o changes in generally accepted accounting principles;
o the availability and terms of capital to fund additional acquisitions or
replacement facilities; and
o our ability to successfully acquire and integrate additional hospitals.

Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions,
we can give no assurance that our goals will be achieved. Given these
uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made
as of the date of this filing. We assume no obligation to update or revise them
or provide reasons why actual results may differ.




11
ITEM 3:     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to interest rate changes, primarily as a result of
our credit agreement which bears interest based on floating rates.
We have not taken any action to cover interest rate market risk, and
are not a party to any interest rate market risk management
activities.

A 1% change in interest rates on variable rate debt would have
resulted in interest expense fluctuating approximately $1.7 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2001.



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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits

None

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

Form 8-K, dated February 21, 2001, in connection with our press
release related to fourth quarter 2000 and year ended December 31,
2000 operating results and disclosures in accordance with
Regulation FD.



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Date: May 10, 2001 COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
(Registrant)


By: /s/ Wayne T. Smith
---------------------------------------
Wayne T. Smith
Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)

By: /s/ W. Larry Cash
--------------------------------------------
W. Larry Cash
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
(principal financial officer)

By: /s/ T. Mark Buford
-------------------------------------------
T. Mark Buford
Vice President and Corporate Controller
(principal accounting officer)



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