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Statement

For several years, the Department has been investigating allegations of fraudulent conduct by Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation in connection with the operation of its hospitals and other facilities. During this time period, we have had discussions with the company about resolving its civil liability for those allegations. The Department has reached a tentative agreement with Columbia which, if formally approved by the Department, would resolve a number of issues under investigation. The agreement would resolve, in part, Columbia's civil liability to the United States but would be conditioned on a number of future events. Any formal agreement must be authorized by appropriate Department officials in consultation with other agencies. We have no further comment on ongoing discussions between the Department and Columbia.

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