<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[_] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
<PAGE>
COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
ONE PARK PLAZA
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 15, 1997
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
will be held at the Company's offices at One Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee,
on Thursday, May 15, 1997 at 1:30 p.m., Central Daylight Time, for the follow-
ing purposes:
(1) To elect three directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stock-
holders in 2000, or until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified;
(2) To consider and approve an amendment to the Company's Restated Cer-
tificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of
Common Stock from 800,000,000 shares to 1,600,000,000 shares and the autho-
rized number of shares of Nonvoting Common Stock from 25,000,000 shares to
50,000,000 shares (the "Charter Amendment");
(3) To act on three stockholder proposals; and
(4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meet-
ing.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 1997, are enti-
tled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. A complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for ex-
amination by any stockholder at the Company's executive offices, during ordi-
nary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the Annual
Meeting.
IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND:
We anticipate that a large number of stockholders will attend the Annual
Meeting. Please note that space limitations make it necessary to limit atten-
dance to stockholders. Cameras and recording devices will not be permitted at
the meeting. "Street name" holders will need to bring a copy of a brokerage
statement reflecting stock ownership as of the record date.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN
AND RETURN AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING RE-
PLY ENVELOPE. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE MEETING MAY REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND
VOTE IN PERSON.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
John M. Franck II
Secretary
Nashville, Tennessee
April 10, 1997
<PAGE>
COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
ONE PARK PLAZA
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 15, 1997
----------------
INTRODUCTION
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the "Board")
of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Compa-
ny"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "An-
nual Meeting") to be held on the date, at the time and place and for the pur-
poses set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at One Park Plaza, Nash-
ville, Tennessee 37203, and its telephone number is (615) 344-9551. Stockhold-
ers of record at the close of business on March 24, 1997 are entitled to no-
tice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the accom-
panying proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 10,
1997.
THE ANNUAL MEETING
VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
On March 24, 1997, there were approximately 652,464,000 shares of the
Company's voting common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), issued and
outstanding which were held by approximately 18,300 holders of record. Each
share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. The Common Stock is the only class of
capital stock of the Company having general voting rights. On March 24, 1997,
there were 21,000,000 shares of the Company's nonvoting common stock, $.01 par
value (the "Nonvoting Common Stock"), issued and outstanding which were held
by one holder of record. Each share of Nonvoting Common Stock is entitled to
one vote with respect to the Charter Amendment, voting together with the Com-
mon Stock, as one class. The Nonvoting Common Stock will not be entitled to
vote on any other matters presented at the Annual Meeting.
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the out-
standing shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock will constitute a
quorum. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock rep-
resented at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, will be necessary for
the election of directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstand-
ing shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock, voting together as a
class, will be necessary to approve the Charter Amendment. Any other matters
submitted to a vote of the stockholders will be determined by a majority of
the votes cast.
Any stockholder present at the Annual Meeting, but who abstains from voting,
shall be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. With re-
spect to all matters other than the election of directors, an abstention has
the same effect as a vote against the proposal.
In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, brokers and
nominees may be precluded from exercising their voting discretion with respect
to certain matters to be acted upon and thus, in the absence of specific in-
structions from the beneficial owner of the shares, will not be empowered to
vote the shares on such matters and therefore will not be counted in determin-
ing the number of shares necessary for approval. Shares represented by such
broker non-votes will, however, be counted for purposes of determining whether
there is a quorum.
<PAGE>
PROXIES AND PROXY SOLICITATION
All shares of Common Stock represented by properly executed proxies will be
voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions marked on the
proxies, unless such proxies have previously been revoked. If no directions
are indicated on such proxies, they will be voted (a) "For" the election of
each nominee named below under "Election of Directors", (b) "For" the Charter
Amendment and (c) "Against" the three stockholder proposals. If any other mat-
ters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting for action, which is not
presently anticipated, the proxy holders will vote the proxies (which confer
discretionary authority upon such holders to vote on such matters) in accor-
dance with their best judgment. Each proxy executed and returned by a stock-
holder may be revoked at any time before it is voted by timely submission of
written notice of revocation or by submission of a duly executed proxy bearing
a later date (in either case directed to the Secretary of the Company) or, if
a stockholder is present at the Annual Meeting, he or she may elect to revoke
his or her proxy and vote his or her shares personally.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition,
Corporate Investor Communications, Inc., a proxy soliciting firm, has been re-
tained by the Company to assist in the solicitation at a cost of approximately
$8,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Certain directors, officers and other em-
ployees of the Company, not specially employed for this purpose, may also so-
licit proxies, without additional remuneration therefor, by personal inter-
view, mail, telephone, facsimile or telegram. The Company will also request
brokers and other fiduciaries to forward proxy soliciting material to the ben-
eficial owners of shares of the Common Stock which are held of record by such
brokers and fiduciaries and will reimburse such persons for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth as of March 24, 1997, certain information
concerning shares of the Common Stock held by (a) each stockholder owning ben-
eficially at least 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, (b) each director or
nominee for director of the Company, (c) each executive officer of the Company
named in the "Summary Compensation Table" and (d) all directors and executive
officers of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR NUMBER IN GROUP SHARES(1)(2) PERCENT
------------------------------------- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
The Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation Stock Bonus
Plan.................................................. 33,449,466(3) 5.1
FMR Corp. and Edward C. Johnson 3d..................... 56,183,328(3)(4) 8.6
Magdalena Averhoff, M.D................................ 10,172(5) *
Thomas F. Frist, Jr., M.D. ............................ 14,586,882(6) 2.2
Sr. Judith Ann Karam, CSA, R.Ph........................ 1,475(7) *
T. Michael Long........................................ 602,672(8) *
Donald S. MacNaughton.................................. 531,933(9) *
R. Clayton McWhorter................................... 554,864 *
Carl E. Reichardt...................................... 165,539(10) *
Frank S. Royal, M.D.................................... 110,302(11) *
Richard L. Scott....................................... 9,401,884(12) 1.4
William T. Young....................................... 951,303(13) *
Daniel J. Moen......................................... 109,633(14) *
James D. Shelton....................................... 36,382(15) *
Donald E. Steen........................................ 214,122(16) *
David T. Vandewater.................................... 617,375(17) *
All directors and executive officers as a group (30
persons)............................................ 29,965,209(18) 4.6
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than one percent.
2
<PAGE>
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each stockholder shown on the table has sole
voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially
owned. The number of shares shown does not include the interest of cer-
tain persons in shares held by family members in their own right.
(2) Each named person or group is deemed to be the beneficial owner of secu-
rities which may be acquired within 60 days through the exercise or con-
version of options, warrants and rights, if any, and such securities are
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ben-
eficially owned by such person or group. Such securities are not deemed
to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage benefi-
cially owned by any other person or group. Accordingly, the indicated
number of shares includes shares issuable upon conversion of convertible
securities or upon exercise of options (including employee stock options)
held by such person or group.
(3) The addresses of the persons known to the Company to be the beneficial
owners of more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock are as
follows: The Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation Stock Bonus Plan--One
Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee 37203; and FMR Corp., Edward C. Johnson
3d and Abigail P. Johnson--82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.
(4) Based on a Schedule 13G jointly filed by FMR Corp. ("FMR"), Edward C.
Johnson 3d ("Mr. Johnson"), Chairman of FMR, and Abigail P. Johnson, a
director of FMR and Fidelity Management & Research Company ("Fidelity
Management") on February 14, 1997 . The 56,183,328 shares of the Common
Stock shown as beneficially owned by FMR as of December 31, 1996 include
(i) 50,753,231 shares beneficially owned by Fidelity Management, a whol-
ly-owned subsidiary of FMR, as an investment adviser to various regis-
tered investment companies that own such shares (the "Fidelity Funds"),
(ii) 5,036,148 shares beneficially owned by Fidelity Management Trust
Company ("Fidelity Trust"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR, as a result
of serving as investment manager of institutional accounts, (iii) 84,162
shares owned directly by Mr. Johnson or in trusts for the benefit of Mr.
Johnson or a member of his family, (iv) 309,037 shares beneficially owned
by Fidelity International Limited ("Fidelity International"), an invest-
ment adviser of which Mr. Johnson is also Chairman and a member of a con-
trolling group, but which is managed independently from FMR, (v) 750
shares owned by Abigail P. Johnson or in trusts for the benefit of an Ab-
igail P. Johnson family member. According to the Schedule 13G, (a) FMR
and Mr. Johnson each has sole investment power, but neither has sole vot-
ing power, over the shares owned by the Fidelity Funds, (b) FMR and Mr.
Johnson each has sole investment power over certain of, has sole voting
power over certain of, and has no voting power over the remainder of, the
shares owned by the institutional accounts managed by Fidelity Trust and
(c) Mr. Johnson has sole voting and investment power over certain of, has
shared voting and investment power over certain of, and has no voting or
investment power over the remainder of, the shares owned directly by him
or in family trusts.
(5) Includes 10,172 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(6) Includes 96,562 shares issuable upon exercise of options. Also includes
222,932 shares with respect to which Dr. Frist has sole voting and in-
vestment power, 12,660,888 shares with respect to which Dr. Frist has
shared voting and investment power and 1,606,500 shares held by a trust
of which he is an income beneficiary but holds no voting or investment
power.
(7) Includes 1,475 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(8) Includes 600,000 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant issued to The
1818 Fund, L.P. Mr. Long is a co-manager of The 1818 Fund, L.P. and dis-
claims beneficial ownership of such shares. Also includes 2,672 shares
issuable upon exercise of options.
3
<PAGE>
(9) Includes 3,446 shares issuable upon exercise of options. Also includes
303,015 shares with respect to which Mr. MacNaughton has sole voting and
investment power and 258,472 shares with respect to which Mr. MacNaughton
has shared voting and investment power.
(10) Includes 4,643 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(11) Includes 4,643 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(12) Includes 243,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options. Mr. Scott has
shared voting and investment power with respect to 116,328 shares held by
a charitable foundation.
(13) Includes 7,172 shares issuable upon exercise of options. Includes 906,398
shares with respect to which Mr. Young has sole voting and investment
power and 37,733 shares with respect to which Mr. Young has shared voting
and investment power. Excludes 115,879 shares held by educational and
other non-profit institutions of which Mr. Young serves as a member of
the governing boards.
(14) Includes 60,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(15) Includes 26,250 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(16) Includes 150,693 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(17) Includes 281,250 shares issuable upon exercise of options, 100,778 shares
of which Mr. Vandewater is trustee and has sole voting and investment
power and 33,413 shares held by a charitable foundation in which Mr.
Vandewater has shared voting and investment power.
(18) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of options to purchase 1,633,837
shares of Common Stock and 600,000 shares issuable upon exercise of a
warrant.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
In accordance with the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
directors of the Company are divided into three classes, such classes being as
nearly equal in number as possible. The term of office of each class is three
years. The Board of Directors is presently comprised of 10 members, consisting
of three members whose term of office expires in 1997 (Class I Directors),
four members whose term of office expires in 1998 (Class II Directors) and
three members whose term of office expires in 1999 (Class III Directors).
At the Annual Meeting it is proposed that the nominees listed below be
elected as Class I members of the Board of Directors. Each such director shall
be elected to serve in such capacity until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
in 2000 or until his or her respective successor is duly elected and quali-
fied.
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS
Information concerning the three nominees proposed by the Board of Directors
for election as Class I Directors along with information concerning the pres-
ent Class II and Class III Directors, whose terms of office will continue af-
ter the Annual Meeting, is set forth below.
In the event that any of the named nominees for director becomes unable or
unwilling to accept nomination or election, the person or persons voting the
proxy will vote for the election in his or her stead of such person as the
Board of Directors may recommend. Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy,
the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them FOR the election of
the nominees shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND DIRECTOR
NAME AGE OFFICES WITH THE COMPANY SINCE
---- --- ------------------------ --------
<C> <C> <S> <C>
NOMINEES
CLASS I--PRESENT TERM EXPIRES 1997
Magdalena Averhoff, M.D. . 46 Practicing Physician 1992
R. Clayton McWhorter...... 63 Chairman and CEO of Clayton 1995
Associates, LLC
Frank S. Royal, M.D....... 57 Practicing Physician 1994
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND DIRECTOR
NAME AGE OFFICES WITH THE COMPANY SINCE
---- --- ------------------------ --------
<C> <C> <S> <C>
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
CLASS II--PRESENT TERM EXPIRES 1998
T. Michael Long.................... 53 Partner, Brown Brothers 1991
Harriman & Co.
Donald S. MacNaughton.............. 79 Retired Chairman of the 1995
Executive Committee,
Healthtrust, Inc.
Carl E. Reichardt.................. 65 Retired Chairman of the 1994
Board and Chief
Executive Officer, Wells
Fargo & Company
William T. Young................... 79 Chairman of the Board, W. 1993
T. Young, Inc.
CLASS III--PRESENT TERM EXPIRES 1999
Thomas F. Frist, Jr., M.D.......... 58 Vice Chairman of the 1994
Board, Columbia/HCA
Healthcare Corporation
Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, R.Ph. 50 Major Superior, Sisters 1996
of Charity of St.
Augustine
Richard L. Scott................... 44 Chairman and Chief 1990
Executive Officer,
Columbia/HCA Healthcare
Corporation
</TABLE>
Magdalena Averhoff, M.D. is a physician specializing in gastroenterology
practicing in Miami, Florida. Dr. Averhoff has practiced medicine in Miami for
more than five years.
Thomas F. Frist, Jr., M.D. has been Vice Chairman of the Board of the Com-
pany since April 1995. From February 1994 to April 1995, he was Chairman of
the Board of the Company. Dr. Frist was Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of HCA-Hospital Corporation of America ("HCA") from
September 1987 to February 1994. Dr. Frist, a founder of the predecessor of
HCA, was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of such predecessor
from August 1985 until September 1987, and in September 1987 he was also named
President. Dr. Frist is past Chairman of the Board of Governors of United Way
of America, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Vanderbilt University and
is Chairman of the HCA Foundation Board.
Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, R.Ph. has been Major Superior of the Sisters
of Charity of St. Augustine since August 1993. From 1989 to August 1993, she
served on the Congregational leadership team as Councilor for Temporal Affairs
and Treasurer. She was also Project Director for Regina Health Center, a
skilled nursing and assisted living facility which opened in July 1993. Sister
Karam has a background in hospital administration and is a fellow in the Amer-
ican College of Healthcare Executives.
T. Michael Long is a partner with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., a private
banking firm, where he has been employed for more than five years. Mr. Long is
also a director of Ekco Group, Inc., Neuvo Energy Company, Gulf Canada Re-
sources, Ltd. and Sports Holdings Corporation.
Donald S. MacNaughton served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of
Healthtrust, Inc.--The Hospital Company ("Healthtrust") from 1987 to April
1995. He retired as an employee of Healthtrust in 1991. Mr. MacNaughton joined
Hospital Corporation of America (HCA's predecessor) in 1978 as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer. He continued to serve as Chief Executive Officer of
Hospital Corporation of America until 1982, Chairman of the Board until 1985
and as
5
<PAGE>
Chairman of the Executive Committee until 1987. Prior to 1978, Mr. MacNaughton
was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America, where he served in various management capacities for 23 years, in-
cluding nine years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. MacNaughton is
a member of The Business Council and a member of the Board of Directors of Fi-
nancial Securities Advisors, Inc.
R. Clayton McWhorter is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clayton
Associates, LLC, a venture capital firm formed in January 1996. Mr. McWhorter
served as the Chairman of the Board of the Company from April 1995 to May
1996. Mr. McWhorter was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Healthtrust
from 1987 to April 1995 and was President of Healthtrust from 1991 to April
1995. Mr. McWhorter served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Hospi-
tal Corporation of America (HCA's predecessor) from 1985 to 1987, and as a Di-
rector of Hospital Corporation of America from 1983 to 1987. Mr. McWhorter is
a director of SunTrust Bank in Nashville and Ingram Industries, Inc.
Carl E. Reichardt served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Wells Fargo & Company (a bank holding company) and of its subsidi-
ary, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 1983 to December 1994. Mr. Reichardt is cur-
rently a director of Wells Fargo & Company, ConAgra, Inc., Ford Motor Company,
Newhall Management Corporation, which is the managing general partner of the
Newhall Land & Farming Company (a California limited partnership), Pacific Gas
& Electric Co., McKesson Corporation and SunAmerica, Inc.
Frank S. Royal, M.D. has been a practicing physician in Richmond, Virginia
for over 20 years. He is Past President/Former Board Chairman of the National
Medical Association. He also serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of
Crestar Financial Corporation (a bank holding company), Chesapeake Corpora-
tion, CSX Corporation and Dominion Resources and is on the Boards of Trustees
of Meharry Medical College (Chairman of the Board), Virginia Union University
(Chairman of the Board) and Richmond Metropolitan YMCA.
Richard L. Scott has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company since May 1996. Mr. Scott served as President, Chief Executive
Officer and a director of the Company from September 1993 to November 1996.
Mr. Scott was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
or its predecessor entities from October 1987 until September 1, 1993. Mr.
Scott was a founder of the Company and its predecessor entities.
William T. Young is Chairman of the Board of W.T. Young, Inc., Lexington,
Kentucky, a warehousing company and owner of Overbrook Farm, a thoroughbred
horse racing and breeding operation. He is former Chairman of Royal Crown Cola
Company, and former director and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Humana
Inc. Mr. Young is Chairman of Transylvania University and is Chairman of
Shakertown at Pleasant Hill Kentucky, Inc.
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a mandatory retirement
policy for members of the Company's Board of Directors, with the policy being
effective as of July 1, 1994. Pursuant to the policy, no person may be nomi-
nated to a term of office on the Board of Directors if he or she has attained
the age of 70 before the first day of the proposed term of office. Donald S.
MacNaughton and William T. Young have been "grandfathered" from the provision.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During 1996, the Company's Board of Directors held four meetings. Also,
there are three committees of the Board of Directors which assist the Board in
discharging its responsibilities. These committees, their members and func-
tions are discussed below.
6
<PAGE>
Each incumbent director attended during 1996 at least 75% of the aggregate
of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number
of meetings held by all committees on which the individual director served.
The Audit Committee is presently comprised of three directors: Carl E.
Reichardt (Chairman), Magdalena Averhoff, M.D. and Donald S. MacNaughton, none
of whom are officers or employees of the Company. The functions of this Com-
mittee include review of the programs of the Company's internal auditors, the
results of their audits, and the adequacy of the Company's system of internal
controls and accounting practices. In addition, the Committee reviews the
scope of the annual audit by the Company's independent auditors prior to its
commencement and reviews the types of services for which the Company retains
independent auditors. In 1996, this Committee met [four] times.
The Compensation Committee is presently comprised of three directors: Wil-
liam T. Young (Chairman), T. Michael Long and Frank S. Royal, M.D., none of
whom are officers or employees of the Company. Responsibilities of this Com-
mittee include approval of compensation arrangements for executive management,
review of compensation plans relating to officers, grants of options and other
benefits under the Company's employee benefit plans and general review of the
Company's employee compensation policies. In 1996, this Committee met one
time.
The Executive Committee is presently comprised of three directors: Thomas F.
Frist, Jr., M.D., R. Clayton McWhorter and Richard L. Scott. This Committee
has the authority to exercise all of the powers of the full Board of Direc-
tors, with certain exceptions relating to major corporate matters. This Com-
mittee is available to review with members of management certain areas of the
Company's operations and to act when it is impractical to assemble the entire
Board for a meeting. In 1996, this Committee did not meet.
The Board of Directors will consider nominees for the Board of Directors
recommended by stockholders, provided such stockholders comply with the notice
provisions contained in the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Directors are selected on the basis of their demonstrated broad knowledge, ex-
perience and ability in their chosen endeavors and, most importantly, on the
basis of their ability to represent the interests of the stockholders. Recom-
mendations by stockholders for such nominees, which must include biographical
information and the proposed nominee's written consent to nomination, must be
made in writing to the Secretary of the Company not less than 60 days nor more
than 90 days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting (or, if less than 70
days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given,
the 10th day following the earlier of (i) the day such notice was mailed or
(ii) the day such public disclosure was made).
In connection with the formation of joint ventures with the Sisters of Char-
ity of St. Augustine Health System, Inc. (the "Sisters of Charity") concerning
four hospitals, the Company agreed to nominate for election to the Board of
Directors a nominee selected by the Sisters of Charity that is acceptable to
the Company. The Company's obligation is a six-year commitment and expires un-
der certain circumstances. Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, R.Ph. was nominated
as a Class III director pursuant to such obligation.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting at which a quo-
rum is present. "Plurality" means that the individuals who receive the largest
number of votes cast are elected as directors up to the maximum number of di-
rectors to be chosen at the meeting. Consequently, any shares not voted
(whether by withholding authority or broker non-vote) have no impact in the
election of directors, except to the extent the failure to vote for the indi-
vidual results in another individual receiving a larger number of votes.
7
<PAGE>
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a regis-
tered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership
and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and pro-
vide the Company with copies of such reports. Based solely on its review of
the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from cer-
tain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, the
Company believes that, during the past fiscal year all filing requirements ap-
plicable to its officers, directors, and greater than ten-percent stockholders
were complied with, with the exception that one director filed an untimely re-
port on a transaction in the Company's Common Stock. Donald S. MacNaughton did
not file one report regarding one transaction that took place in his account.
The transaction was subsequently reported on Form 5.
8
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation
paid during each of the Company's last three fiscal years to the Company's
Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company's four other most highly com-
pensated executive officers, based on salary and bonus earned during 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM COMPENSATION
-----------------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS PAYOUTS
------------------------------------ ----------------------- -----------
OTHER ANNUAL RESTRICTED OPTIONS/ ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL FISCAL COMPENSATION STOCK SARS LTIP COMPENSATION
POSITIONS YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($)(1) ($)(2) AWARDS ($)(3) (#)(4) PAYOUTS ($) ($)(5)
------------------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------- -------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard L. Scott........ 1996 900,000 - - 960,000 187,500 - 8,000
Chairman and Chief 1995 858,000 - 357,000 870,000 225,000 - 9,000
Executive Officer 1994 599,000 520,000 107,000 - 225,000 - 9,000
David T. Vandewater..... 1996 565,000 226,000 - 301,000 150,000 - 5,000
President and Chief 1995 533,000 204,000 165,000 273,000 150,000 - 9,000
Operating Officer 1994 425,000 360,000 - 2,404,000(6) 187,500 - 9,000
Donald E. Steen......... 1996 507,000 63,000 - 253,000 45,000 - 8,000
President-- 1995 507,000 21,000 - 83,000 60,000 - 11,000
International Group(7) 1994 165,000 223,000 - - - - -
Daniel J. Moen.......... 1996 350,000 - 54,000 233,000 90,000 - -
President--Columbia 1995 315,000 275,000 - - 60,000- - -
Sponsored Networks 1994 275,000 209,000 - - 60,000 - 9,000
James D. Shelton........ 1996 350,000 35,000 - 187,000 82,500 - 5,000
President-- 1995 325,000 32,000 - 165,000 60,000 - 5,000
Central Group(8) 1994 155,000 - - - 45,000 - -
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Reflects bonus earned during the fiscal year. In some instances all or a
portion of the bonus was paid during the following fiscal year. The exec-
utive officers have the option to take all or part of their bonus in
shares of restricted stock at a 25% discount from the fair market value
on the date of grant, which is reflected in the Restricted Stock Awards
column.
(2) Except as noted in the table, perquisites and other personal benefits did
not exceed the lesser of either $50,000 or 10% of the total of annual
salary and bonus for the named executive officer. Other compensation con-
sists principally of relocation expenses and, to a lesser extent, Company
provided transportation.
(3) Except as noted, represents the fair market value on the date of grant of
shares of restricted stock granted in lieu of all or a portion of a cash
bonus.
(4) Options to acquire shares of the Common Stock.
(5) Consists of the Company contributions to the Company's Savings and In-
vestment Plan, Money Purchase Plan and Stock Bonus Plan.
(6) On September 15, 1994, Mr. Vandewater received 57,249 restricted shares
of the Common Stock (50% vested on September 15, 1995 and 50% vested on
September 15, 1996) pursuant to the 1992 Stock and Incentive Plan. On
such date, the value of such shares was $2,404,458, which the Company re-
corded as compensation expense upon vesting.
(7) Mr. Steen's employment by the Company commenced September 16, 1994.
(8) Mr. Shelton's employment by the Company commenced June 13, 1994.
9
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS DURING 1996 FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information related to options granted to the
named executive officers during fiscal 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES
OF STOCK PRICE
APPRECIATION
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS FOR OPTION TERM(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
% OF TOTAL
OPTIONS/ OPTIONS/SARS
SARS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME (#)(2) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH)(3) DATE(4) 0% 5% ($) 10% ($)
- ---- -------- ------------ ----------- ---------- --- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard L. Scott........ 187,500 1.8% 37.67 2/8/06 - 4,440,000 11,258,000
David T. Vandewater..... 150,000 1.4% 37.67 2/8/06 - 3,552,000 9,006,000
Donald E. Steen......... 45,000 0.4% 37.67 2/8/06 - 1,066,000 2,702,000
Daniel J. Moen.......... 90,000 0.9% 37.67 2/8/06 - 2,131,000 5,404,000
James D. Shelton........ 82,500 0.8% 37.67 2/8/06 - 1,954,000 4,953,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The potential realizable value portion of the foregoing table illustrates
value that might be realized upon exercise of the options immediately
prior to the expiration of their term, assuming the specified compounded
rates of appreciation on the Common Stock over the term of the options.
These amounts do not take into account provisions of the options relating
to termination of the option following termination of employment,
nontransferability or vesting over periods of up to five years.
(2) Options to acquire shares of the Common Stock. Each executive officer re-
ceived a single grant of options during the fiscal year.
(3) The option exercise price may be paid in shares of the Common Stock owned
by the executive officer, in cash, or a combination of the foregoing.
(4) The ten-year options become exercisable with respect to 25% of the shares
covered thereby on the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversary dates
following the date of grant. The exercise price was equal to the fair mar-
ket value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
OPTION EXERCISES DURING 1996 FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides information related to options exercised by the
named executive officers during the 1996 fiscal year and the number and value
of options held at fiscal year end. The Company has not issued stock apprecia-
tion rights or warrants to its executive officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS
AT FY-END (#) AT FY-END ($)(2)
------------------------- -------------------------
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE
NAME ON EXERCISE (#)(1) REALIZED ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ------------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard L. Scott........ - - 221,250 581,250 5,573,000 6,259,000
David T. Vandewater..... 45,000 1,234,000 196,875 440,625 4,584,000 4,672,000
Donald E. Steen......... - - 191,615 105,000 4,469,000 979,000
Daniel J. Moen.......... 60,000 1,708,000 67,500 195,000 1,712,000 1,792,000
James D. Shelton........ - - 11,250 176,250 162,000 1,581,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Except as noted in the table, the named executive officers did not exer-
cise any stock options during 1996.
(2) The closing price for the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. on December 31, 1996 was $40.75. Value is calculated on the
basis of the difference between the option exercise price and $40.75 mul-
tiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the option.
10
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Prior to September 1993, the Company's policy for compensating directors who
were not employees of the Company was to pay each director $1,250 for each
regular Board of Directors meeting which was attended. In addition, the Colum-
bia Hospital Corporation Outside Directors Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors on November 12, 1992,
which provided for the grant of an initial option for 4,500 shares of the Com-
mon Stock upon election to the Board of Directors (or adoption of the plan),
with the subsequent grant for 3,000 shares each year thereafter that the di-
rector served on the Board (following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders). The
policy for compensating directors was revised on September 9, 1993 and Febru-
ary 10, 1994, in connection with the addition of new directors from Galen
Health Care, Inc. ("Galen") and HCA. The current policy provides that outside
directors are paid an annual retainer of $26,000 for serving on the Board of
Directors, a fee of $1,000 per Board meeting attended and reimbursement of ex-
penses incurred relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, committee
chairpersons receive $1,000 per committee meeting attended, and all other com-
mittee members receive a fee of $500 per committee meeting attended, in both
cases payable only with respect to committee meetings which are not held in
conjunction with a meeting of the Board of Directors. On February 10, 1994,
the Directors Plan was amended to provide that new directors will receive an
initial option to acquire shares of Common Stock (exercisable at the shares'
fair market value on the date of grant of the option) having an aggregate ex-
ercise price equal to two times the outside director's annual retainer fee
then in effect, but in no event more than 4,500 shares. Following each suc-
ceeding annual meeting, each outside director who continues in office will re-
ceive an option to acquire shares of the Common Stock (exercisable at the
shares' fair market value on the date of grant of the option) having an aggre-
gate exercise price equal to the outside director's annual retainer fee then
in effect, but in no event more than 3,000 shares. Finally, for directors who
were former directors of Galen, the Company matches, on an annual basis, up to
$20,000 in charitable contributions, and such directors are eligible to par-
ticipate in the Company's self-funded medical and dental plans.
EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE PAY AGREEMENTS
Medical Care America, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, en-
tered into an employment agreement with Donald E. Steen on November 15, 1993.
The employment agreement had an initial term through November 15, 1996. The
base salary for Mr. Steen was $507,000 in 1996. Bonuses must be recommended
and approved by the Board of Directors of the subsidiary. The agreement also
provides for severance payments based on Mr. Steen's base salary at the time
of termination plus a bonus (payable monthly on a pro rata basis) at a rate
equal to the average annual bonuses paid to Mr. Steen for the two calendar
years preceding termination for a period of 24 months following termination or
until November 15, 1996, whichever is later. Mr. Steen's employment agreement
may only be terminated if approved by the affirmative vote of 75% of the Board
of Directors of the subsidiary. The employment agreement of Mr. Steen provides
for automatic renewal for two years, unless either the Company or the employee
gives at least 60 days prior written notice of non-renewal.
The Company entered into a two-year employment agreement with R. Clayton Mc-
Whorter on April 24, 1995. Under the employment agreement, Mr. McWhorter was
entitled to an annual base salary of $600,000, and was eligible to participate
in all executive compensation and employee benefit plans or programs applica-
ble to senior management employees of the Company. Mr. McWhorter terminated
his employment with the Company in 1996. Under the agreement, Mr. McWhorter is
entitled to receive his base salary until April 24, 1997. In addition, the
Company paid Mr. McWhorter $2,400,000 and accelerated the vesting on 20,115
shares of restricted stock on July 1, 1995, to terminate a severance protec-
tion agreement that Mr. McWhorter had with
11
<PAGE>
Healthtrust, Inc. -- The Hospital Company. The payment was in lieu of any
other severance or termination payment to which Mr. McWhorter would otherwise
be entitled.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Decisions on compensation of the Company's executives are made by the Com-
pensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the Company's Board of
Directors. Each member of the Compensation Committee is a non-employee direc-
tor. No member of the Compensation Committee is a current or former employee
or officer of the Company or any of its affiliates. Responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee include approval of compensation arrangements for exec-
utive management, review of compensation plans relating to officers, grants of
options and other benefits under the Company's employee benefit plans and gen-
eral review of the Company's employee compensation policy. Pursuant to certain
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission designed to enhance disclosure
of corporate policies toward executive compensation, set forth below is a re-
port submitted by the Compensation Committee.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND POLICIES FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Compensation Committee believes the most effective executive compensa-
tion program aligns the interests of stockholders and executives. The
Company's primary objective is to provide quality health care while enhancing
long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee is committed to a
strong, positive link between the Company's strategic business goals and its
compensation and benefit goals. The Company does not generally have contrac-
tual agreements of employment with executive officers. The Company provides
its executive officers with a minimal number of perquisites.
The Company's executive compensation program is consistent with the
Company's overall compensation philosophy for all management levels. The Com-
pensation Committee believes that the greater the number of employees aligned
with the overall Company objectives, the greater the common focus and ultimate
success on both a short-term and long-term basis. To support this philosophy,
substantially all of the Company's employees will be afforded the opportunity
to participate in one or more of the Company's stock-based compensation plans.
The Company's executive compensation program has been designed to support
the objective of creating stockholder value by:
. Directly aligning the interests of executives with the long-term inter-
ests of stockholders by making stock appreciation over the long run the
cornerstone of executive compensation through award opportunities that
can result in the ownership of substantial amounts of the Common Stock.
. Providing compensation opportunities that create an environment that at-
tracts and retains talented executives on a long-term basis.
. Emphasizing pay for performance by having a meaningful portion of execu-
tive compensation "at-risk".
. Appropriately balancing the Company's short-term and long-term business
and financial and strategic goals.
At present, the Company's executive compensation program is comprised of
three components: base salary, annual cash incentive (bonus) and long-term in-
centive opportunity in the form of non-qualified stock options. The Company
also has a program which allows the officers of the Company (including the ex-
ecutive officers) to use all or a portion of their annual cash incentive
12
<PAGE>
bonus to purchase shares of restricted stock of the Company at a 25% discount
from the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant.
Two of the three components of the Company's executive compensation (the an-
nual incentive bonus and the long-term stock-based incentive) are directly re-
lated to actual individual business unit and overall Company performance, as
explained below. In addition, the greater the person's responsibility in his
position with the Company, the greater the mix of compensation shifts to reli-
ance on the value of the Common Stock through the grant of stock options. The
annual executive pay targets (base salary plus incentives) are designed to be
market competitive with U.S. corporations having similar revenues (or at the
same relative size if a business unit is applicable) when (but only when) the
Company or the individual business units meet or exceed their operating tar-
gets.
BASE SALARY
The base salaries of the Company's five highest paid executives are listed
in the Summary Compensation Table found under "Executive Compensation" in this
Proxy Statement. These salaries are evaluated annually. In determining appro-
priate salary levels and salary increases, the Compensation Committee consid-
ers level of responsibility, individual performance, internal equity and ex-
ternal pay practices. In this latter regard, the Compensation Committee at-
tempts to set base salaries of all executive officers at a level which is be-
low the "market" rate, as determined from information gathered by the Company
from independent compensation consulting firms.
The Compensation Committee increased the base salaries of the named execu-
tive officers during the last fiscal year based upon an evaluation of each ex-
ecutive's performance. The Compensation Committee considered the success of
the executive officers in developing and executing the Company's strategic
plans, developing management employees and exercising leadership. Based upon
information provided by management, the Compensation Committee believes that
executive officer base salaries for 1996 were in line with the average sala-
ries paid by other comparable healthcare companies, including the companies
included in the Standard & Poor's Hospital Management Composite Index (the
"Hospital Index").
ANNUAL INCENTIVES
Annual incentive (bonus) award opportunities at the Company are designed to:
. Focus management attention on key operational goals deemed important for
the upcoming fiscal year.
. Support the Company's strategic goal for consistent growth by highlight-
ing corporate and business unit earnings as the main performance measure
affecting incentive bonus payments.
. Tie management's interests to the stockholders' interests by condition-
ing the targeted bonus on the attainment of earnings per share goals.
The amounts individual executives may earn under the incentive plan is de-
pendent upon the individual's position, responsibility and ability to impact
the Company's financial success. Annual bonuses are designed to provide com-
petitive incentive pay only for meeting or exceeding budgeted financial per-
formance.
The Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation Annual Incentive Plan (the "Incen-
tive Plan") determines bonus levels. The Incentive Plan provides for targeted
bonuses equal to 80% of base salaries for the Chairman and the President, and
50% of base salaries for other executive officers, contingent in all cases
upon the Company's achievement of certain earnings per share criteria. Gener-
ally, the targeted bonus amount is comprised of two components, an earnings
per share
13
<PAGE>
component and a discretionary component. In 1996, the earnings per share com-
ponent comprised 50% of the target bonus, and was contingent upon the Company
meeting its budgeted earnings per share level. The discretionary component
comprised 50% of the target bonus, and was determined by the Compensation Com-
mittee based upon the executive's accomplishment of certain goals and objec-
tives. The bonuses for the Chairman and the President were dependent upon the
Company meeting its budgeted earnings per share level. In 1997, 10% of the
award for all employees will be contingent upon meeting patient satisfaction
goals. The maximum bonus for the Chairman and President under the Incentive
Plan is the target bonus.
In 1996, the Compensation Committee awarded all named executive officers a
bonus of 100% of the target bonus. This was a reflection of both the Company
meeting its earnings per share goal and the exceptional leadership performance
of such executive officers.
The Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation 1995 Management Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Management Plan") allows the officers of the Company (including the ex-
ecutive officers) to use all or a portion of their annual cash incentive bonus
to purchase shares of restricted stock of the Company at a 25% discount from
the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. The
restricted period for restricted shares granted under the Management Plan will
generally be three years from the date of grant. If employment is terminated
during the restricted period, then, subject to certain exceptions, the partic-
ipant will receive a cash payment equal to the lesser in value of (i) the re-
stricted shares at their then-current fair market value or (ii) the aggregate
amount of the annual cash bonus applied to the receipt of all restricted
shares held by the participant. Any additional value is forfeited.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
The Company's only current long-term incentive compensation is non-qualified
stock options which are directly related to improvement in long-term stock-
holder value.
Stock option grants provide an incentive that focuses the executive's atten-
tion on managing the Company from the perspective of an owner with an equity
stake in the business. These grants also help ensure that operating decisions
are based on long-term results that benefit the Company and ultimately the
stockholders.
Specifically, the option grants to executive officers provide the right to
purchase shares of Common Stock at the fair market value on the date of grant.
Usually, each stock option becomes vested and exercisable only over a period
of time, generally two to five years. The number of shares covered by each
grant reflects the executive's level of responsibility and past and antici-
pated contributions to the Company.
Options to purchase 555,000 shares of the Common Stock were granted to the
named executive officers in 1996 with an exercise price equal to the fair mar-
ket value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant. The options
vest cumulatively in four annual installments of 25% beginning on the second
anniversary date of the grant and expire ten years after the date of grant.
The Compensation Committee granted this number of options based on its judg-
ment that this number is appropriate considering the executive officers' ac-
tual and potential contribution to the Company. The assessment of actual and
potential contribution was based on the Compensation Committee's evaluation of
each executive officer's ability, skills, efforts and leadership. In determin-
ing the number of options to grant to the named executive officers, the Com-
pensation Committee did not consider outstanding stock options, but did con-
sider the other items of compensation.
14
<PAGE>
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations require all corporate Compen-
sation Committees to disclose the bases for the compensation of a corporation's
chief executive officer relative to such corporation's performance.
Richard L. Scott, an original founder of the Company in 1987, is eligible to
participate in the same executive compensation plans available to the other se-
nior executive officers which are described above. The Compensation Committee's
general approach in setting Mr. Scott's target annual compensation is to seek
to be competitive with other large U.S. corporations with similar revenues, but
also to have a large percentage of his target compensation based upon specific
corporate-wide operating performance criteria.
The Compensation Committee determined the salary, bonus and stock options re-
ceived by Richard L. Scott, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, consistent with the executive compensation policy and components de-
scribed above. Mr. Scott's base salary for 1997 was set at $931,500. Based on
information provided by management, the Compensation Committee believes that
this base salary was comparable to the base salaries paid to chief executive
officers of other publicly held healthcare companies, including those companies
included in the S&P Hospital Index. Mr. Scott earned a $720,000 bonus for his
performance in 1996, which he elected to convert into restricted stock pursuant
to the Management Plan. The bonus was automatic because the Company met its
earnings per share goal. In 1997, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Scott
options to purchase 187,500 shares of the Common Stock. The Compensation Com-
mittee determined the number of options granted to Mr. Scott based on its sub-
jective evaluation of Mr. Scott's abilities, skills, efforts and leadership.
Based on information provided by management and derived from publicly available
data, the Compensation Committee believes that the number of options granted to
Mr. Scott is comparable to the number of options granted to the chief executive
officers of other healthcare companies, including those in the Hospital Index.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TAX DEDUCTIBILITY
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the "Budget Act"), generally
provided that, commencing in 1994, compensation paid by publicly-held corpora-
tions to the chief executive officer and the four most highly paid senior exec-
utive officers in excess of $1 million per year per executive will be deduct-
ible by the Company only if paid pursuant to qualifying performance-based com-
pensation plans approved by the stockholders of the Company. Compensation as
defined by the Budget Act includes, among other things, base salary, incentive
compensation and gains on stock option transactions. The Company establishes
individual compensation based primarily upon Company performance and competi-
tive considerations. As a result, executive compensation may exceed $1 million
in a given year. The Company believes it has performed the necessary steps to
qualify the Company's performance-based compensation plans for tax deductibili-
ty.
The foregoing report is submitted by all of the members of the Compensation
Committee of the Company's Board of Directors whose members are as follows:
William T. Young (Chairman)
T. Michael Long
Frank S. Royal, M.D.
The foregoing report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed incor-
porated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference the
Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securi-
ties Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed
filed under such Acts.
15
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During fiscal 1996, the members of the Compensation Committee were responsi-
ble for determining executive compensation and stock option grants to execu-
tive officers. The following directors currently serve on the Compensation
Committee: William T. Young, T. Michael Long and Frank S. Royal, M.D. Richard
L. Scott, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, submitted
recommendations to the Compensation Committee concerning key executive officer
compensation, but did not participate in deliberations regarding the compensa-
tion of such key executive officers.
On November 12, 1992, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Co-
lumbia Hospital Corporation Outside Directors Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
(the "Directors Plan"), which provides for option grants to non-employee di-
rectors, including those directors that serve on the Compensation Committee.
The stockholders of the Company approved the adoption of the Directors Plan on
May 20, 1993. See "Directors' Compensation" above.
T. Michael Long, co-manager of The 1818 Fund, L.P. (the "Fund"), became a
member of the Board of Directors of the Company on March 18, 1991, in connec-
tion with the Fund's purchase of a $40 million principal amount 9% Subordi-
nated Mandatory Convertible Note due June 30, 1999 (the "9% Note"). The 9%
Note was converted into Common Stock at a conversion price of $18.50 per share
in two separate transactions on June 16 and July 1, 1994. The Company also is-
sued a warrant to purchase 400,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Warrant") to
the Fund. The Warrant is exercisable at any time prior to March 31, 1998, at
an exercise price of $20.00 per share, subject to adjustment to prevent dilu-
tion in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations and reorganizations. The
Fund was also granted certain incidental and demand registration rights by the
Company with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
the 9% Note and exercise of the Warrant (the "Registrable Securities"). As a
result, the Fund is entitled to notice of any registration statement filed by
the Company on Form S-1, S-2, or S-3 with respect to the registration of
shares of Common Stock (other than registration of shares to be issued in ex-
change for partnership interests), and the Company is required, subject to
certain limitations, to use its best efforts to include the Registrable Secu-
rities in such registration at the Company's expense. The registration rights
granted to the Fund may, in certain transactions, adversely affect the market
price of the Common Stock and limit the Company's ability to raise capital
through the public markets.
16
<PAGE>
COMPANY STOCK PERFORMANCE
The following Performance Graph shall not be deemed incorporated by refer-
ence by any general statement incorporating by reference the Proxy Statement
into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates
this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under
such Acts.
The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Company's Common Stock for the past five years, with the cumulative total re-
turn of companies on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500 Index) and the
Standard & Poor's Hospital Management Index (S&P Hospital Index) over the same
period (assuming the investment of $100 in the Company's Common Stock, the S&P
500 Index and the S&P Hospital Index on December 31, 1991 and reinvestment of
all dividends).
COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
12/31/91 100.00 100.00 100.00
12/31/92 125.00 107.64 77.75
12/31/93 195.23 118.50 117.20
12/31/94 215.60 120.06 124.52
12/31/95 300.59 165.18 173.99
12/31/96 362.79 203.11 204.49
17
<PAGE>
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors, in accordance with the recommendation of its Audit
Committee, the members of which are not employees of the Company, has ap-
pointed Ernst & Young LLP, as independent auditors to audit the consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1997. Ernst & Young LLP has served as the Company's independent auditors since
1994. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meet-
ing and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to
do so and to respond to appropriate questions.
THE CHARTER AMENDMENT
The Board of Directors has approved, subject to approval by the stockholders
of the Company, a proposal to amend the Fourth Article of the Restated Certif-
icate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock from 800,000,000 shares to 1,600,000,000 shares and the number of autho-
rized shares of Nonvoting Common Stock from 25,000,000 shares to 50,000,000
shares. If the Charter Amendment is approved, the total number of shares of
capital stock that the Company will be authorized to issue will be
1,675,000,000 shares, consisting of 1,600,000,000 shares of Common Stock,
50,000,000 shares of Nonvoting Common Stock and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock.
As of December 31, 1996, approximately 650,499,000 shares of Common Stock
were outstanding. As of such date, an aggregate of 80,131,000 shares were re-
served for issuance upon exercise of stock options and warrants, pursuant to
an employee stock purchase plan and upon conversion of certain debt securi-
ties. In addition, approximately 34,866,000 shares of Common Stock have been
reserved for issuance in connection with the proposed acquisition of Value
Health, Inc. and 21,000,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for is-
suance upon conversion of the outstanding Nonvoting Common Stock. This leaves
only approximately 13,504,000 authorized shares of Common Stock available for
issuance. As of December 31, 1996, 21,000,000 shares of Nonvoting Common Stock
were issued and outstanding. This leaves only 4,000,000 authorized shares of
Nonvoting Common Stock available for issuance. If the Charter Amendment is ap-
proved by the stockholders, a total of 813,504,000 shares of Common Stock and
29,000,000 shares of Nonvoting Common Stock would be authorized and available
for future issuance.
The Board of Directors believes that the adoption of the Charter Amendment
is advantageous to the Company and its stockholders. It would provide addi-
tional authorized shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock that could
be used from time to time, without further action or authorization by the
stockholders (except as may be required by law or by any stock exchange on
which the Company securities may then be listed), for corporate purposes which
the Board of Directors may deem desirable, including, without limitation,
stock splits, stock dividends or other distributions, financings, acquisi-
tions, joint ventures and other strategic relationships, stock grants, stock
options and employee benefit plans.
While the Company has no present plans, agreements or commitments for the
issuance of additional shares of Common Stock or Nonvoting Common Stock, other
than the shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Company's
acquisition of Value Health, Inc., pursuant to the Company's employee benefit
plans, upon the exercise of stock options and warrants and the conversion of
outstanding debt securities, the Board of Directors believes that the avail-
ability of these shares would allow the Company to issue additional shares of
Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock if market or other conditions indicate
that such a course of action is advisable.
None of the outstanding shares of Common Stock have preemptive rights or cu-
mulative voting rights. The Charter Amendment would not change the terms and
conditions of the outstanding Common Stock and the additional shares of Common
Stock proposed to be authorized when issued would be identical to the out-
standing shares of Common Stock. Each certificate representing
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shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of
the Charter Amendment, if it is adopted by the stockholders at the Annual
Meeting, would remain outstanding and represent the same number of shares of
Common Stock as before such effective date.
The rights of holders of Nonvoting Common Stock are identical to those of
holders of Common Stock, except with respect to voting and conversion rights.
The holders of Nonvoting Common Stock will have no right to vote on matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, except (i) as to an amendment of a provi-
sion of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation that would adversely affect
the powers, preferences or special rights of the holders of the Nonvoting Com-
mon Stock, (ii) any change in the authorized number of shares of any class of
capital stock of the Company (voting together with the Common Stock as de-
scribed below) and (iii) as otherwise required by law.
The shares of Nonvoting Common Stock will be convertible into Common Stock
on a share-for-share basis (subject to the anti-dilution adjustments), except
that no holder of shares of Nonvoting Common Stock may convert any such shares
to the extent that, as a result, the holder and its affiliates, directly or
indirectly, would own, control or have the power to vote a greater number of
shares of the Common Stock than the holder and its affiliates would be permit-
ted to own, control or have power to vote under any law, regulation, rule or
other requirement of any governmental authority at the time applicable to the
holder or its affiliates.
Any change in the powers, preferences or special rights of the Nonvoting
Common Stock so as to affect the holders thereof adversely, will require the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office and the affir-
mative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the then outstanding
shares of Nonvoting Common Stock. Any change in the authorized number of
shares of any class of capital stock of the Company will require the affirma-
tive vote of a majority of the directors then in office and the affirmative
vote of not less than a majority of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock, voting together as a single class.
The Charter Amendment will be adopted if it receives the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Non-
voting Common Stock, voting together as a single class. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company receives many suggestions from stockholders, some as formal
stockholder proposals. All are given careful attention.
Proponents of three stockholder proposals have stated that they intend to
present the following proposals at the Annual Meeting. The name and address
and number of shares of the Common Stock held by the proponents will be fur-
nished by the Company, either orally or in writing, as requested, promptly
upon receipt of any oral or written request directed to the Corporate
Secretary's office. The proposals and proponents' statements are quoted below.
The Board of Directors opposes the following proposals for the reasons stated
after each proposal.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS
AGREEMENT
"RESOLVED: That the shareholders of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation
("Columbia/HCA" or the "Company") request the Board of Directors to redeem the
shareholder rights previously issued unless such issuance is approved by the
affirmative vote of shareholders, to be held as soon as may be practicable."
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PROPONENT'S STATEMENT
"The Columbia/HCA Board of Directors has issued, without shareholder approv-
al, certain shareholder rights (the "rights") pursuant to a shareholder rights
plan. We strongly believe that such rights are a type of anti-takeover device,
common known as a poison pill, which injures shareholders by reducing manage-
ment accountability and adversely affecting shareholder value."
"The shareholders of the Company believe the terms of the rights are de-
signed to discourage or thwart an unwanted takeover of the Company. While man-
agement and the Board of Directors should have appropriate tools to ensure
that all shareholders benefit from any proposal to acquire the Company, the
shareholders do not believe that the future possibility of a takeover justi-
fies the unilateral imposition of such a poison pill."
"Rather, we believe that the shareholders should have the right to vote on
the necessity of such a powerful tool, which could be used to entrench exist-
ing management. Rights plans like the Company's have become increasingly un-
popular in recent years."
"The negative effects of poison pill rights plans on the trading value of
companies' stock have been the subject of extensive research. A 1986 study
(covering 245 companies adopting poison pills between 1983 and July 1986) was
prepared by the Office of the Chief Economist of the U.S. Securities and Ex-
change Commission on the effect of poison pills on the wealth of target share-
holders. It states that "empirical tests, taken together, show that poison
pills are harmful to target shareholders, on net." A 1992 study by Professor
John Pound of Harvard's Corporate Research Project and Lilli A. Gordon of the
Gordon Group found a correlation between high corporate performance and the
absence of poison pills."
"We believe that such an important corporate governance practice, one that
can have a significant adverse impact on shareholder value, should be elimi-
nated or, at the very least, be voted on by shareholders. We therefore submit
this shareholder proposal based on our belief that the unilateral and undeni-
ably undemocratic adoption of the rights plan by the Company is unjustified,
that the continued existence of such a rights plan by the Company is unjusti-
fied and not in the best interests of the shareholders."
"We urge you to vote For this resolution!"
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSE TO STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "AGAINST" THIS PROPOSAL
The Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the "Rights Plan") was adopted by
the Board of Directors of Columbia Hospital Corporation (the predecessor to
the Company) on July 12, 1993, and amended effective February 10, 1994. The
Rights Plan was adopted to protect the interests of all the stockholders and
to give the Company's Board of Directors the flexibility to maximize the value
of the stockholders' investment in the Company in the event an unsolicited at-
tempt is made to acquire the Company. Unsolicited takeover attempts could in-
clude a gradual accumulation of shares in the open market, a partial or two-
tier tender offer that does not treat all stockholders equally, a squeeze-out
merger and other abusive takeover tactics. The Board believes these tactics
are not in the best interests of stockholders because they unfairly pressure
stockholders, squeeze them out of their investment and deprive them of the
full value of their shares. The Rights Plan provides a strong incentive for
anyone interested in acquiring the Company to negotiate directly with the
Board of Directors, which is in the best position to assess the adequacy and
fairness of any offer.
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<PAGE>
Contrary to what the proponent suggests, there is no evidence that the
Rights Plan has had a negative effect on the trading value of the Company's
Common Stock. Although it is difficult to isolate factors affecting the price
of the Common Stock over a period of more than three years, the Board of Di-
rectors believes that the adoption of the Rights Plan has not had any signifi-
cant impact on the stock price. The closing price of the Common Stock on July
9, 1993, the last trading date before adoption of the Rights Plan, was $19.17
(adjusted to reflect a 3-for-2 stock split in the form of a stock dividend
paid on October 15, 1996). The closing price on April , 1997, the approxi-
mate date of this Proxy Statement, was $ .
The Board of Directors believes that the Rights Plan is essential if the
Board is to fulfill its fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of all the
stockholders. The Rights Plan is intended to provide the Board with time to
evaluate the bid and to negotiate with a prospective acquiror, thus protecting
all its stockholders.
The Board of Directors is entrusted by law to act in the best interests of
the stockholders and has a right to exercise its business judgment in fulfill-
ing its fiduciary duties. The Delaware Supreme Court has upheld rights plans
as a valid exercise of a Board's business judgment and as a means to enable
the Board to fulfill better its fiduciary responsibilities when confronted
with a takeover situation. While the Company has no reason to believe it will
become a takeover target, the current takeover environment may make any com-
pany a potential target.
The Board recommends a vote "Against" this proposal for the reasons set
forth above.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL RELATING TO TOBACCO INVESTMENTS
"WHEREAS a July 7-9, 1995 editorial in USA Today declared:
Here's a little health-care news item: according to a commentary in the
upcoming edition of the British medical journal Lancet, major U.S. health
insurers are large investors in major U.S. tobacco companies. In other
words, the nation's merchants of care are partners with the nation's mer-
chants of death. . . these investments grate and gall. Every year, tobacco
use is fatal for thousands of Americans. For insurers to provide health
care for those suffering smokers on the one hand while investing it in the
source of their misery on the other is unconscionable. And hypocritical."
"As shareholders, we are deeply concerned about the ethical implications of
investments in the tobacco industry by any health care institution, especially
when the negative health and financial effects of smoking are so clearly un-
derstood and experienced by health care providers."
"In 1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released an article
entitled "Medical-Care Expenditures Attributable to Cigarette Smoking, United
States--1993." The study found that smoking-related disease in the United
States has an enormous economic impact. In 1993, it is estimated that the di-
rect medical costs associated with smoking totaled $30 billion."
"In 1996, the AMA called for mutual funds and health-conscious investors to
refuse to own stock in tobacco companies and for those same investors to di-
vest from stocks and bonds in tobacco companies. We believe that the AMA's ar-
gument is compelling for a company like ours."
"We believe it is inconsistent for a health care company to invest in to-
bacco equities. This seems to be sending mixed messages about smoking. We be-
lieve that the company should seriously review its stand related to these ap-
parently contradictory positions on tobacco and determine future options."
"RESOLVED: that the shareholders request the Board to initiate a policy man-
dating no further purchases of tobacco equities in any of our portfolios un-
less it can be proven that cigarette
21
<PAGE>
smoking does not cause the illnesses and deaths attributed to it. Furthermore,
the shareholders request the Board to initiate a policy divesting the company
of all tobacco stocks by January 1, 1998."
PROPONENT'S STATEMENT
"Our company exists to help people keep their health. We believe that smok-
ing is harmful to the health of our customers, and yet we invest in companies
that produce cigarettes. Allstate, Chubb, and UNUM have policies and/or prac-
tices regarding tobacco equity-related prohibitions or limitations. Institu-
tions like Harvard and Johns Hopkins have sold all of their tobacco stocks. We
believe the proposed policy will demonstrate our company's comprehension of
the effects of smoking on its business and profitability. As the USA Today ed-
itorial noted above concludes:
Insurers have a responsibility to maximize returns. But they have a re-
sponsibility to hold down costs, too. Investing in tobacco while charging
premiums based in part on the cost of treating tobacco-related illness
mocks that obligation."
"If you agree that our company should provide for the restoration and main-
tenance of health, not contribute to illness and death, then please vote Yes
for this resolution."
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSE TO STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "AGAINST" THIS PROPOSAL
The Board of Directors opposes the proposal to ban Company investments in
tobacco equities. The Board has a fiduciary duty to maximize stockholder val-
ue. To this end, the Company retains outside financial advisers to manage the
Company's investment portfolio. These advisers are selected based upon their
prior investment results. These results are monitored by the Company on an on-
going basis to ensure that the Company is achieving satisfactory performance
from its investments. It would be inappropriate for the Company to restrict
the investment strategies of these advisers. It should be emphasized that the
Company complies with all federal, state and other laws regarding its invest-
ment portfolio.
In addition, to the extent that the proposed resolution is intended to apply
to the investment of funds held in various pension plans maintained for the
benefit of Company employees, the resolution is inappropriate since neither
the Company's Board of Directors nor its officers and employees control the
investment decisions affecting these pension plans. These investment decisions
are made under the auspices of the Trustees of these plans who have the fidu-
ciary duty to the beneficiaries of the plans to maximize returns.
While investing in tobacco equities may raise social issues compelling to
many of the Company's stockholders, the Board represents a significant number
of stockholders with diverse social and political agendas. As of March 24,
1997, there were more than 18,300 record holders of the Common Stock. Many of
these stockholders are likely to have strong personal views concerning the
propriety of the business operations or industries of various issuers of pub-
licly traded securities. The Company would be put in an untenable position if
forced to champion the issues of one constituency of stockholders over anoth-
er, particularly in instances where stockholders may have conflicting views
and beliefs. It would be inappropriate and unrealistic to poll stockholders on
an on-going basis as to their investment preferences.
The Board recommends a vote "Against" this proposal for the reasons set
forth above.
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<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL RELATING TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND HEALTH CARE
QUALITY
"WHEREAS we believe the quality record of a health plan should be the cen-
tral factor in creating compensation packages for executive officers of our
company;
--We know that our company's continued viability and profitability are
predicated on successfully balancing pressures to increase efficiency, de-
crease cost and assure quality health outcomes;
--We believe, in order to attract potential members, the company needs to
develop consumer friendly information on the cost quality of its health
plan as compared to competing health plans;
--While there is considerable pressure by investors to increase returns
to shareholders, we believe equal weight in company decisions should be
given to patient care and quality of service provided;
--We understand that growing numbers of corporate purchasers of health
benefit plans (including Allied Signal, Bristol Myers-Squibb, GE and
PepsiCo) are requiring and/or requesting performance-based assessments of
health plan(s) with which they contract;
--The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent
non-profit organization founded in 1979, has taken a leadership role in im-
proving the quality of care in the managed care industry by fostering
greater public accountability within the health care system. For example,
NCQA has developed two programs designed to hold health plans accountable
for the quality of care and services they deliver: 1) evaluation of health
plans' internal quality processes through accreditation reviews, and 2) de-
velopment of measures to gauge and compare health plan performance;
--We believe the Board should develop compensation policies and proce-
dures which utilize the NCQA's evaluation of quality care in assessing the
structure and content of compensation packages for our officers;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that shareholders request the Board of Directors in-
stitute an Executive Compensation Review to develop policies for executive of-
ficer compensation that are tied, in significant part, to NCQA accreditation
status and progress in meeting the corporation's publicly available quality
performance objectives (process and outcomes). These policies shall cover sal-
ary, bonus, restricted stock awards, long term incentive compensation plans
and all other compensation."
"The result of the review and recommendations for change shall be reported
to shareholders in the fall of 1997."
PROPONENT'S STATEMENT
"Corporate purchasers of health care plans are as interested in quality
health care provided professionally and efficiently as they are in financial
considerations. As stockholders interested in both financial return and qual-
ity care, we want to insure our Board and management focus as much on quality
of care as on finances. Shareholders deserve a clear report on Executive Com-
pensation's link to health care. Some companies have produced reports on com-
pensation's relationship to social, financial and employment performance."
"There must be an effort to balance the competing interests of cost for care
and quality of care. The trend in HMO's as for profit health care systems in-
terprets any medical care as medical loss. Therefore, it is imperative to uti-
lize some mechanism which evaluates the quality of health care packages,
thereby providing company leadership with a mechanism tying company perfor-
mance to their compensation."
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSE TO STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "AGAINST" THIS PROPOSAL
The Company is one of the largest providers of health care services in the
United States, with facilities in 37 states and two foreign countries. As of
December 31, 1996, the Company operated 321 general, acute care hospitals and
22 psychiatric hospitals. In addition, as part of its comprehensive health
care networks the Company operates facilities that provide a broad range of
outpatient and ancillary services.
While the Company owns an ownership interest in several health plans, the
operation of health plans is currently a very small portion of the Company's
operations. As such, the NCQA accreditation status referenced in the propo-
nent's resolution is not relevant to most of the Company's operations. Rather,
a better measure of high quality care would be the attainment of Accreditation
with Commendation status from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations. As of February 12, 1997, 124 of the Company's hospi-
tals, or 36%, had achieved such status as compared with approximately 10% of
hospitals nationally.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company recently
amended the Company's Annual Incentive Plan to provide that patient satisfac-
tion goals would account for a minimum of 10% of each participant's target bo-
nus. Management believes that the Company's success to date is due in large
part on the Company's focus on delivering cost-effective, quality healthcare.
The Board recommends a vote "Against" this proposal for the reasons set forth
above.
GENERAL INFORMATION
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any proposals that stockholders of the Company desire to have presented at
the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Secretary of
the Company no later than the close of business on November 28, 1997.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders is being mailed to stock-
holders with this proxy statement. The Annual Report is not part of the proxy
solicitation materials.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEM-
BER 31, 1996, EXCLUDING CERTAIN OF THE EXHIBITS THERETO, MAY BE OBTAINED WITH-
OUT CHARGE BY WRITING TO COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION, INVESTOR RELA-
TIONS DEPARTMENT, ONE PARK PLAZA, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
John M. Franck II
Secretary
Nashville, Tennessee
April 10, 1997
24
<PAGE>
COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby (1) acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corpora-
tion, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to be held at the offices of the
Company, One Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee on May 15, 1997 at 1:30 p.m.,
Central Daylight Time, and the Proxy Statement in connection therewith (the
"Proxy Statement") and (2) appoints Richard L. Scott, David T. Vandewater and
Stephen T. Braun, and each of them, his proxies with full power of substitu-
tion for and in the name, place, and stead of the undersigned, to vote upon
and act with respect to all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company
standing in the name of the undersigned, or with respect to which the under-
signed is entitled to vote and act, at the Meeting and at any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) thereof.
The undersigned directs that this proxy be voted as follows:
1.ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
[_] FOR all [_] WITHHOLD
nominees listed AUTHORITY to vote
below (except as for all nominees
marked to the listed below
contrary below)
Magdalena Averhoff, M.D., R. Clayton McWhorter and Frank S. Royal, M.D.
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, WRITE
THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS
DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT.
[_] FOR[_] AGAINST[_] ABSTAIN
3. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL RELATED TO THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS
AGREEMENT, AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT.
[_] FOR[_] AGAINST[_] ABSTAIN
4. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL RELATED TO TOBACCO INVESTMENTS, AS DESCRIBED IN THE
PROXY STATEMENT.
[_] FOR[_] AGAINST[_] ABSTAIN
5. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND HEALTH CARE
QUALITY, AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT.
[_] FOR[_] AGAINST[_] ABSTAIN
6. IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES, ON ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY PROPERLY
COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED ABOVE. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 AND AGAINST PROPOSALS 3, 4 AND 5.
P
R
O
X
Y
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy heretofore given to vote or act
with respect to the Common Stock of the Company and hereby ratifies and
confirms all that the proxies, their substitutes, or any of them may lawfully
do by virtue hereof.
If one or more of the proxies named shall be present in person or by
substitute at the Meeting or at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof,
the proxies so present and voting, either in person or by substitute, shall
exercise all of the powers hereby given.
Please date, sign and mail this proxy in the enclosed envelope. No postage
is required.
Dated___________________________________ , 1997
------------------------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
------------------------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
Please date this proxy and sign your name ex-
actly as it appears hereon. Where there is more
than one owner, each should sign. When signing
as an attorney, administrator, executor, guard-
ian, or trustee, please add your title as such.
If executed by a corporation, the proxy should
be signed by a duly authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by
an authorized person.
