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CoreTrust is a division of HealthTrust, the leading Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) in the healthcare industry for close to a decade.

Consorta Joins HealthTrust As Equity Owner
Combination expected to provide $535 million in net savings to Consorta members over five years.

Schaumburg, Ill, January 4, 007 – Consorta, Inc. and HealthTrust Purchasing Group, LP, two of the nation’s leading healthcare group purchasing organizations, today announced a combination that will bring significant added value to their member hospitals and patients for years to come. The two organizations have signed a letter of intent to establish Consorta as HealthTrust’s sixth equity owner.

“Consorta had a record-breaking year in 2006 and we are excited to start 2007 announcing plans to partner with HealthTrust Purchasing Group,” said John Strong, President and CEO of Consorta. “We conducted thorough due diligence to align with the right partner and it was clear that HealthTrust would be the best fit with our mission, culture and patient focus moving forward. The economic benefit is very compelling, and we are excited about combining our resources to offer increased cost savings and value to our members, now and well into the future.”

The combination, expected to close by February 28, 2007, will create one of the country’s largest group purchasing organizations, with more than $13 billion in combined volume. Consorta expects the transaction to yield current and future cost savings of $535 million for shareholders and members.

“Consorta brings a very impressive track record to our organization,” said Jim Fitzgerald, President and CEO of HealthTrust. “We believe this is a unique combination, in that both organizations have become industry leaders by focusing on a patient-first philosophy in product selection. We are highly confident that our respective members’ commitments will yield a substantial, sustainable price advantage moving forward.”

Following the transaction, Consorta will remain an independent organization, serving as its shareholders voice on the HealthTrust Board of Advisors. Consorta shareholders and members will become members of HealthTrust. Consorta will help recruit new HealthTrust members, provide educational and analytical programs and manage member compliance. Also, Consorta shareholders will serve on HealthTrust clinical advisory boards and other boards to guide product selection.

“This partnership holds great promise for each of the Consorta shareholders, and I believe the combination will yield tremendous benefit in shared best practices, in addition to the economic value.” said Lou Fierens, Consorta Chairman and SVP of Supply Chain Management and Capital Projects at Trinity Health.

Once the combination is finalized, Consorta expects to reduce its Schaumburg headquarters over a period of 18 months. Consorta’s Board of Directors and senior management is expected to remain in their current positions in support of their shareholders.

Together, the parties will continue their work as national leaders in the movement for greater industry accountability. The two organizations joined in 2005, with other industry leaders, to form the Healthcare Group Purchasing Industry Initiative, an organization created to monitor and promote best ethical and business practices within the industry. The Initiative now boasts nine members and continues to function as a resource for best practices in compliance and transparency. 
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