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EXHIBIT 23.1
Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-00000) pertaining to an amendment to the 1996 Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan of Health Management Associates, Inc., increasing the number
of shares of Class A Common Stock of Health Management Associates, Inc. to be
issued thereunder by 18,000,000 shares, of our report dated October 20, 2000,
with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Health
Management Associates, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended September 30, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Tampa, Florida
January 10, 2001
