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

 

 

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

 

 

Commission file number 001-15925

 

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

(Registrant’s telephone number)

615-465-7000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicated by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 126-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

As of October 29, 2008, there were outstanding 93,267,194 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value.

 

 

Community Health Systems, Inc.
Form 10-Q
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Community Health Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2008 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, such information contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

Stock-based compensation awards are granted under the Community Health Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Award Plan (the “2000 Plan”). The 2000 Plan allows for the grant of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as stock options which do not so qualify, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance units and performance shares, phantom stock awards and share awards. Persons eligible to receive grants under the 2000 Plan include the Company’s directors, officers, employees and consultants. To date, all options granted under the 2000 Plan have been “nonqualified” stock options for tax purposes. Generally, vesting of these granted options occurs in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date. Options granted prior to 2005 have a 10 year contractual term, options granted in 2005 through 2007 have an 8 year contractual term and options granted in 2008 have a 10 year contractual term. The exercise price of all options granted under the 2000 Plan is equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the option grant date. As of September 30, 2008, 4,059,150 shares of unissued common stock remain reserved for future grants under the 2000 Plan.

 

The Company has also awarded restricted stock under the 2000 Plan to its directors and employees. The restrictions on these shares generally lapse in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date, except for restricted stock granted on July 25, 2007, which restrictions lapse equally on the first two anniversaries of the award date. Certain of the restricted stock awards granted to the Company’s senior executives contain a performance objective that must be met in addition to any vesting requirements. If the performance objective is not attained, the awards will be forfeited in their entirety. Once the performance objective has been attained, restrictions will lapse in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date with the exception of the July 25, 2007 restricted stock awards, which have no additional time vesting restrictions once the performance restrictions are met. Notwithstanding the above mentioned performance objectives and vesting requirements, the restrictions will lapse earlier in the event of death, disability, termination of employment of the holder of the restricted stock by the Company for any reason other than for cause, or change in control of the Company. Restricted stock awards subject to performance standards are not considered outstanding for purposes of determining earnings per share until the performance objectives have been satisfied.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table reflects the impact of total compensation expense related to stock-based equity plans under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), on the reported operating results for the respective periods (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

At September 30, 2008, $69.8 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense from all outstanding unvested stock options and restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 16 months.

 

The fair value of stock options was estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, with the following assumptions:

 

 

In determining expected return, the Company examined concentrations of option holdings, historical patterns of option exercises and forfeitures, as well as forward looking factors, in an effort to determine if there were any discernable employee populations. From this analysis, the Company identified two employee populations, one consisting primarily of certain senior executives and the other consisting of all other recipients.

 

The expected volatility rate was estimated based on historical volatility. In determining expected volatility, the Company also reviewed the market-based implied volatility of actively traded options of its common stock and determined that historical volatility did not differ significantly from the implied volatility.

 

The expected life computation is based on historical exercise and cancellation patterns and forward looking factors, where present, for each population identified. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The pre-vesting forfeiture rate is based on historical rates and forward looking factors for each population identified. The Company adjusts the estimated forfeiture rate to its actual experience.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Options outstanding and exercisable under the 2000 Plan as of September 30, 2008, and changes during the three and nine months then ended were as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, was $7.71 and $10.29, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value (the number of in-the-money stock options multiplied by the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the reporting period ($29.31) and the exercise price of the respective stock options) in the table above represents the amount that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their in-the-money options on September 30, 2008. This amount changes based on the market value of the Company’s common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $3.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $3.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest approximates that of the outstanding options.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Restricted stock outstanding under the 2000 Plan as of September 30, 2008, and changes during the three and nine months then ended are as follows:

 

 

As of September 30, 2008, there was $44.6 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 15 months.

 

Under the Director’s Fee Deferral Plan, the Company’s outside directors may elect to receive share equivalent units in lieu of cash for their directors’ fee. Share equivalent units are calculated by dividing the deferred directors’ fees by the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the reporting period. These units are held in the plan until the director electing to receive the share equivalent units retires or otherwise terminates his/her directorship with the Company. Share equivalent units are converted to shares of common stock of the Company at the time of distribution. The following table represents the amount of directors’ fees which were deferred and the equivalent units into which they converted for each of the respective periods:

 

 

At September 30, 2008, there was a total of 15,721.608 units deferred in the plan with an aggregate fair value of $0.5 million, based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the reporting period of $29.31.

 

 

The majority of the Company’s operating costs and expenses are “cost of revenue” items. Operating costs that could be classified as general and administrative by the Company would include the Company’s corporate office costs at the Company’s Franklin, Tennessee office, which were $39.3 million and $37.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $120.4 million and $84.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Included in these amounts is stock-based compensation expense of $13.1 million and $11.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $39.8 million and $25.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

 

Triad Acquisition

 

On July 25, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of Triad Hospitals, Inc. (“Triad”) for approximately $6.857 billion, including the assumption of $1.686 billion of existing indebtedness. Triad owned and operated 50 hospitals in non-urban and middle market communities in 17 states, as well as the Republic of Ireland. Immediately following the acquisition, on a combined basis, the Company owned and operated 128 hospitals in 28 states, as well as the Republic of Ireland. As of December 31, 2007, two hospitals acquired from Triad had been sold and six hospitals acquired from Triad were classified as held for sale. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company completed the sale of five of the six former Triad hospitals held for sale at December 31, 2007. The Company also provides management and consulting services on a contract basis to independent hospitals, through its subsidiary, Quorum Health Resources, LLC, which was acquired as part of the acquisition of Triad.

 

In connection with the consummation of the acquisition of Triad, the Company obtained $7.215 billion of senior secured financing under a new credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. (“CHS”) issued $3.021 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.875% senior notes due 2015 (the “Notes”). The Company used the net proceeds of $3.000 billion from the Notes offering and the net proceeds of $6.065 billion of term loans under the New Credit Facility to acquire the outstanding shares of Triad, to refinance certain of Triad’s indebtedness and the Company’s indebtedness, to complete certain related transactions, to pay certain costs and expenses of the transactions and for general corporate uses. This New Credit Facility also provides an additional $750 million revolving credit facility and a $300 million delayed draw term loan facility for future acquisitions, working capital and general corporate purposes. The delayed draw term loan was reduced from $400 million to $300 million at the request of the Company in the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

The total cost of the Triad acquisition has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values in accordance with SFAS No. 141. The purchase price represented a premium over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired for reasons such as:

 

 

The allocation process required the analysis of acquired fixed assets, contracts, contractual commitments, and legal contingencies to identify and record the fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company completed the allocation of the total cost of the Triad acquisition in the third quarter of 2008, resulting in approximately $2.790 billion of goodwill being recorded.

 

Other Acquisitions

 

Effective April 1, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of Lincoln General Hospital (157 licensed beds), located in Ruston, Louisiana. The total consideration for this hospital was approximately $48.2 million, of which $44.7 million was paid in cash and $3.5 million was assumed in liabilities. On May 1, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of Porter Health (301 licensed beds), located in Valparaiso, Indiana, with a satellite campus in Portage, Indiana and outpatient medical campuses located in Chesterton, Demotte, and Hebron, Indiana.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

As part of this acquisition, the Company has agreed to construct a 225-bed replacement facility for the Valparaiso hospital no later than April 2011. The total consideration for Porter Health was approximately $113.2 million, of which $88.9 million was paid in cash and $24.3 million was assumed in liabilities. The Company’s purchase price allocation relating to these acquisitions resulted in approximately $6.3 million of goodwill being recorded.

 

Effective June 30, 2008, the Company acquired the remaining 35% equity interest in Affinity Health Systems, LLC which indirectly owns and operates Trinity Medical Center (560 licensed beds) in Birmingham, Alabama, from Baptist Health Systems, Inc. of Birmingham, Alabama (“Baptist”), giving the Company 100% ownership of that facility. The purchase price for this minority interest was $51.5 million in cash and the cancellation of a promissory note issued by Baptist to Affinity Health Systems, LLC in the original principal amount of $32.8 million.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Effective March 1, 2008, the Company sold Woodland Medical Center (100 licensed beds) located in Cullman, Alabama; Parkway Medical Center (108 licensed beds) located in Decatur, Alabama; Hartselle Medical Center (150 licensed beds) located in Hartselle, Alabama; Jacksonville Medical Center (89 licensed beds) located in Jacksonville, Alabama; National Park Medical Center (166 licensed beds) located in Hot Springs, Arkansas; St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center (170 licensed beds) located in Russellville, Arkansas; Mineral Area Regional Medical Center (135 licensed beds) located in Farmington, Missouri; Willamette Valley Medical Center (80 licensed beds) located in McMinnville, Oregon; and White County Community Hospital (60 licensed beds) located in Sparta, Tennessee, to Capella Healthcare, Inc., headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee. The proceeds from this sale were $315 million in cash.

 

Effective February 21, 2008, the Company sold THI Ireland Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated in the Republic of Ireland, which leased and managed the operations of Beacon Medical Center (122 licensed beds) located in Dublin, Ireland, to Beacon Medical Group Limited, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. The proceeds from this sale were $1.5 million in cash.

 

Effective February 1, 2008, the Company sold Russell County Medical Center (78 licensed beds) located in Lebanon, Virginia to Mountain States Health Alliance, headquartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. The proceeds from this sale were $48.6 million in cash.

 

Effective November 30, 2007, the Company sold Barberton Citizens Hospital (312 licensed beds) located in Barberton, Ohio to Summa Health System of Akron, Ohio. The proceeds from this sale were $53.8 million in cash.

 

Effective October 31, 2007, the Company sold its 60% membership interest in Northeast Arkansas Medical Center, a 104 bed facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Baptist Memorial Health Care (“Baptist”), headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, for $16.8 million. In connection with this transaction, the Company also sold real estate and other assets to a subsidiary of Baptist for $26.2 million in cash.

 

Effective September 1, 2007, the Company sold its partnership interest in River West L.P., which owned and operated River West Medical Center (80 licensed beds) located in Plaquemine, Louisiana, to an affiliate of Shiloh Health Services, Inc. of Lubbock, Texas. The proceeds from this sale were $0.3 million in cash.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had one hospital classified as held for sale.

 

In connection with the above actions and in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the Company has classified the results of operations of the above mentioned hospitals as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Net operating revenues and income (loss) on discontinued operations for the respective periods are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

The computation of income (loss) from discontinued operations, before taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 includes the net write-off of $96.3 million of tangible assets and $32.5 million of goodwill (including $21.3 million of goodwill included in non-current assets held for sale at December 31, 2007) at the hospitals sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

Interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations based on estimated sale proceeds available for debt repayment.

 

The assets and liabilities of one hospital held for sale as of September 30, 2008 are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as follows: current assets of $16.8 million, included in other current assets; net property and equipment of $35.1 million and other long-term assets of $1.6 million, included in other assets; and current liabilities of $20.1 million, included in other accrued liabilities.

 

The assets and liabilities of the hospitals held for sale as of December 31, 2007 are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as follows: current assets of $118.9 million, included in other current assets; net property and equipment of $331.1 million and other long-term assets of $31.4 million, included in other assets; and current liabilities of $67.6 million, included in accrued liabilities.

 

 

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. The total amount of unrecognized benefit that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, is approximately $6.3 million as of September 30, 2008. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized benefits in its condensed consolidated statements of income as income tax expense. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded approximately $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in interest and penalties related to prior state income tax returns through its income tax provision from continuing operations and which are included in its FIN 48 liability at September 30, 2008. A total of approximately $1.9 million of interest and penalties is included in the amount of FIN 48 liability at September 30, 2008.

 

The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits consist primarily of state exposure items. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that approximately $1.2 million of its current unrecognized tax benefit may decrease within the next twelve months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations for years prior to 2003.

 

The IRS has concluded an examination of the federal income tax returns of Triad for the short taxable years ended April 27, 2001, September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2001, and the taxable years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003. The Company has received a closing letter from the IRS with respect to the examination for those tax years. The settlement was not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received, resulted in a net cash refund of $3.2 million and $52.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and net cash paid of $55.4 million and $84.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

 

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill be allocated to each identified reporting unit, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below the operating segment (referred to as a component of the entity). At September 30, 2008, the hospital operations, home health agencies and hospital management services reporting units had $4.086 billion, $32.0 million and $33.3 million, respectively, of goodwill.

 

The Company completes its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year using a measurement date of September 30. The Company completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment test as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” during 2007. Based on the results of the impairment test, the Company was not required to recognize an impairment of goodwill in 2007.

 

The gross carrying amount of the Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization was $67.5 million at September 30, 2008 and $76.3 million at December 31, 2007, and the net carrying amount was $53.5 million at September 30, 2008 and $62.7 million at December 31, 2007. The carrying amount of the Company’s other intangible assets not subject to amortization was $37.9 million and $118.3 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Other intangible assets are included in other assets, net on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

The weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets subject to amortization is approximately ten years. There are no expected residual values related to these intangible assets. Amortization expense on these intangible assets during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $0.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense on these intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $3.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense on intangible assets is estimated to be $2.1 million for the remainder of 2008, $11.6 million in 2009, $9.8 million in 2010, $4.6 million in 2011, $3.6 million in 2012, and $21.5 million in 2013 and thereafter.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

The following table sets forth the components of the numerator and denominator for the computation of basic and diluted income from continuing operations per share (in thousands, except share data):

 

 

 

Authorized capital shares of the Company include 400,000,000 shares of capital stock consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Each of the aforementioned classes of capital stock has a par value of $0.01 per share. Shares of preferred stock, none of which are outstanding as of September 30, 2008, may be issued in one or more series having such rights, preferences and other provisions as determined by the Board of Directors without approval by the holders of common stock.

 

On December 13, 2006, the Company commenced an open market repurchase program for up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, not to exceed $200 million in repurchases. This program will conclude at the earlier of three years or when the maximum number of shares has been repurchased. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased 517,000 shares at a weighted-average price of $33.03 per share, which is the cumulative number of shares that have been repurchased under this program.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

The following table presents the components of comprehensive income, net of related taxes. The net change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements is a function of the spread between the fixed interest rate of each swap and the underlying variable interest rate under the Company’s New Credit Facility, the change in fair value of available for sale securities is the unrealized gain (losses) on the related investments and the amortization of unrecognized pension cost components is the amortization of prior service costs and credits and actuarial gains and losses (in thousands):

 

 

The net change in fair value of the interest rate swaps, the net change in fair value of available for sale securities and amortization of unrecognized pension cost components are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

The Company owns equity interests of 27.5% in four hospitals in Las Vegas, Nevada, and 26.1% in one hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, in which Universal Health Systems, Inc. owns the majority interest; an equity interest of 38.0% in three hospitals in Macon, Georgia in which HCA, Inc. owns the majority interest; and an equity interest of 50.0% in a hospital in El Dorado, Arkansas in which the SHARE Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation, owns the remaining 50.0%. These equity investments were acquired as part of the acquisition of Triad. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in these entities. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company adjusted the carrying amount of these equity investments based on the final Triad asset valuations. The difference between the fair value of these equity investments and the underlying equity in net assets is approximately $128.1 million and represents goodwill under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s investment in unconsolidated affiliates is $415.8 million and $267.8 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Included in the Company’s results of operations is $8.7 million and $32.1 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, and $14.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, representing the Company’s equity in pre-tax earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliates during our period of ownership.

 

Summarized combined financial information for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, for the unconsolidated entities in which the Company owns an equity interest is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Terminated Credit Facility and Notes

 

On August 19, 2004, CHS entered into a $1.625 billion senior secured credit facility with a consortium of lenders which was subsequently amended on December 16, 2004, July 8, 2005 and December 13, 2006 (the “Terminated Credit Facility”). The purpose of the Terminated Credit Facility was to refinance and replace the Company’s previous credit agreement, repay specified other indebtedness, and fund general corporate purposes, including amending the credit facility to permit declaration and payment of cash dividends, to repurchase shares or make other distributions, subject to certain restrictions. The Terminated Credit Facility consisted of a $1.2 billion term loan that was due to mature in 2011 and a $425 million revolving credit facility that was due to mature in 2009. The First Incremental Facility Amendment, dated as of December 13, 2006, increased the Company’s term loans by $400 million (the “Incremental Term Loan Facility”) and also gave the Company the ability to add up to $400 million of additional term loans. The full amount of the Incremental Term Loan Facility was funded on December 13, 2006, and the proceeds were used to repay the full outstanding amount (approximately $326 million) of the revolving credit facility under the Terminated Credit Agreement and the balance was available to be used for general corporate purposes. The Company was able to elect from time to time an interest rate per annum for the borrowings under the term loan, including the incremental term loan, and revolving credit facility equal to (a) an alternate base rate, which would have been equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate (as defined) in effect and (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined), plus 50 basis points, plus (1) 75 basis points for the term loan and (2) the Applicable Margin (as defined) for revolving credit loans or (b) the Eurodollar Rate (as defined) plus (1) 175 basis points for the term loan and (2) the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar revolving credit loans. The Company also paid a commitment fee for the daily average unused commitments under the revolving credit facility. The commitment fee was based on a pricing grid depending on the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar revolving credit loans and ranged from 0.250% to 0.500%. The commitment fee was payable quarterly in arrears and on the revolving credit termination date with respect to the available revolving credit commitments. In addition, the Company paid fees for each letter of credit issued under the credit facility.

 

On December 16, 2004, the Company issued $300 million 6.50% senior subordinated notes due 2012. On April 8, 2005, the Company exchanged these notes for notes having substantially the same terms as the outstanding notes, except the exchanged notes were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). These exchanged notes were repaid in 2007.

 

New Credit Facility and Notes

 

On July 25, 2007, the New Credit Facility was entered into with a syndicate of financial institutions led by Credit Suisse, as administrative agent and collateral agent. The New Credit Facility consists of a $6.065 billion funded term loan facility with a maturity of seven years, a $400 million delayed draw term loan facility with a maturity of seven years and a $750 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of nine years. As of December 31, 2007, the $400 million delayed draw term loan facility had been reduced to $300 million at the request of the Company. The revolving credit facility also includes a subfacility for letters of credit and a swingline subfacility. In connection with the consummation of the acquisition of Triad, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from its New Credit Facility and the Notes offering to repay its outstanding debt under the Terminated Credit Facility, the 6.50% senior subordinated notes due 2012 and certain of Triad’s existing indebtedness. During the third quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a pre-tax write-off of approximately $13.9 million in deferred loan costs relative to the early extinguishment of the debt under the Terminated Credit Facility and incurred tender and solicitation fees of approximately $13.4 million on the early repayment of the Company’s $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior subordinated notes due 2012 through a cash tender offer and consent solicitation.

 

The New Credit Facility requires quarterly amortization payments of each term loan facility equal to 0.25% of the outstanding amount of the term loans, if any, with the outstanding principal balance payable on July 25, 2014.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The term loan facility must be prepaid in an amount equal to (1) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and dispositions by the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and reinvestment rights, (2) 100% of the net cash proceeds of issuances of certain debt obligations or receivables based financing by the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and (3) 50%, subject to reduction to a lower percentage based on the Company’s leverage ratio (as defined in the New Credit Facility generally as the ratio of total debt on the date of determination to the Company’s EBITDA, as defined, for the four quarters most recently ended prior to such date), of excess cash flow (as defined) for any year, commencing in 2008, subject to certain exceptions. Voluntary prepayments and commitment reductions are permitted in whole or in part, without any premium or penalty, subject to minimum prepayment or reduction requirements.

 

The obligor under the New Credit Facility is CHS. All of the obligations under the New Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and certain existing and subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries. All obligations under the New Credit Facility and the related guarantees are secured by a perfected first priority lien or security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company, CHS and each subsidiary guarantor, including equity interests held by the Company, CHS or any subsidiary guarantor, but excluding, among others, the equity interests of non-significant subsidiaries, syndication subsidiaries, securitization subsidiaries and joint venture subsidiaries.

 

The loans under the New Credit Facility will bear interest on the outstanding unpaid principal amount at a rate equal to an applicable percentage plus, at the Company’s option, either (a) an Alternate Base Rate (as defined) determined by reference to the greater of (1) the Prime Rate (as defined) announced by Credit Suisse or (2) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined) plus one-half of 1.0%, or (b) a reserve adjusted London interbank offered rate for dollars (Eurodollar Rate) (as defined). The applicable percentage for term loans is 1.25% for Alternate Base Rate loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar rate loans. The applicable percentage for revolving loans is initially 1.25% for Alternate Base Rate revolving loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar revolving loans, in each case subject to reduction based on the Company’s leverage ratio. Loans under the swingline subfacility bear interest at the rate applicable to Alternate Base Rate loans under the revolving credit facility.

 

CHS has agreed to pay letter of credit fees equal to the applicable percentage then in effect with respect to Eurodollar rate loans under the revolving credit facility times the maximum aggregate amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit outstanding under the subfacility for letters of credit. The issuer of any letter of credit issued under the subfacility for letters of credit will also receive a customary fronting fee and other customary processing charges. CHS is initially obligated to pay commitment fees of 0.50% per annum (subject to reduction based upon the Company’s leverage ratio) on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. For purposes of this calculation, swingline loans are not treated as usage of the revolving credit facility. CHS is also obligated to pay commitment fees of 0.50% per annum for the first nine months after the closing of the New Credit Facility, 0.75% per annum for the next three months thereafter and 1.0% per annum thereafter, in each case on the unused amount of the delayed draw term loan facility. The Company paid arrangement fees on the closing of the New Credit Facility and will pay an annual administrative agent fee.

 

The New Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties, subject to limitations and exceptions, and customary covenants restricting, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things (1) declare dividends, make distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock, (2) prepay, redeem or repurchase other debt, (3) incur liens or grant negative pledges, (4) make loans and investments and enter into acquisitions and joint ventures, (5) incur additional indebtedness or provide certain guarantees, (6) make capital expenditures, (7) engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (8) conduct transactions with affiliates, (9) alter the nature of the Company’s businesses, (10) grant certain guarantees with respect to physician practices, (11) engage in sale and leaseback transactions or (12) change the Company’s fiscal year. The Company is also required to comply with specified financial covenants (consisting of a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio) and various affirmative covenants.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Events of default under the New Credit Facility include, but are not limited to, (1) the Company’s failure to pay principal, interest, fees or other amounts under the credit agreement when due (taking into account any applicable grace period), (2) any representation or warranty proving to have been materially incorrect when made, (3) covenant defaults subject, with respect to certain covenants, to a grace period, (4) bankruptcy events, (5) a cross default to certain other debt, (6) certain undischarged judgments (not paid within an applicable grace period), (7) a change of control, (8) certain ERISA-related defaults and (9) the invalidity or impairment of specified security interests, guarantees or subordination provisions in favor of the administrative agent or lenders under the New Credit Facility.

 

The Notes were issued by CHS in connection with the Triad acquisition in the principal amount of $3.021 billion. These Notes will mature on July 15, 2015. The Notes bear interest at the rate of 8.875% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, commencing January 15, 2008. Interest on the Notes accrues from the date of original issuance. Interest is calculated on the basis of 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

Except as set forth below, CHS is not entitled to redeem the Notes prior to July 15, 2011.

 

On and after July 15, 2011, CHS is entitled, at its option, to redeem all or a portion of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years set forth below:

 

 

In addition, any time prior to July 15, 2010, CHS is entitled, at its option, on one or more occasions to redeem the Notes (which include additional Notes (the “Additional Notes”), if any which may be issued from time to time under the indenture under which the Notes were issued) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 108.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds (as defined) from one or more Public Equity Offerings (as defined) (provided that if the Public Equity Offering is an offering by the Company, a portion of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof equal to the amount required to redeem any such Notes is contributed to the equity capital of CHS); provided, however, that:

 

1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than the Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its subsidiaries); and

 

2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date of the related Public Equity Offering.

 

CHS is entitled, at its option, to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to July 15, 2011, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Application Premium (as defined), and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, as of the applicable redemption date.

 

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into at the time of the issuance of the Notes, as a result of an exchange offer made by CHS, substantially all of the Notes issued in July 2007 were exchanged in November 2007 for new notes (the “Exchange Notes”) having terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Notes (except that the Exchange Notes were issued under a registration statement pursuant to the 1933 Act). References to the Notes shall also be deemed to include Exchange Notes unless the context provides otherwise.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased on the open market and cancelled $62.7 million of principal amount of the Notes. This resulted in a loss from early extinguishment of debt of $1.3 million with an after-tax impact of $0.9 million.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the availability for additional borrowings under the New Credit Facility was $1.050 billion (consisting of a $750 million revolving credit facility and a $300 million delayed draw term loan facility), of which $78.3 million was set aside for outstanding letters of credit. CHS also has the ability to add up to $300 million of borrowing capacity from receivable transactions (including securitizations) under the New Credit Facility which has not yet been accessed. CHS also has the ability to amend the New Credit Facility to provide for one or more tranches of term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $600 million, which CHS has not yet accessed. As of September 30, 2008, the weighted-average interest rate under the New Credit Facility was 5.4%.

 

Cash paid for interest, net of interest income, was $232.4 million and $54.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $558.8 million and $115.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), which defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures required for fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require fair value measurement; it does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of this statement has not had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement of Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 deferred the effective date of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and will be adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2009. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities on its consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

SFAS No. 157 classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1:  Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2:  Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

 

Level 3:  Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 includes values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques reflecting the Company’s own assumptions.

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

Available-for-sale securities and trading securities classified as Level 1 are measured using quoted market prices. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements are classified as Level 2, and are estimated using an income approach based on the LIBOR swap rate, which is observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full terms of the swap agreements. The contractual obligation recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2008, represents the fair value of a liability assumed in connection with a business combination.

 

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 expands the use of fair value accounting but does not affect existing standards that require assets or liabilities to be carried at fair value. SFAS No. 159 permits an entity, on a contract-by-contract basis, to make an irrevocable election to account for certain types of financial instruments and warranty and insurance contracts at fair value, rather than historical cost, with changes in the fair value, whether realized or unrealized, recognized in earnings. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 as of January 1, 2008 and did not elect to re-measure any assets or liabilities. The adoption of this statement has not had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”). SFAS No. 141(R) replaces SFAS No. 141 and addresses the recognition and accounting for identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests in business combinations. This standard will require more assets and liabilities to be recorded at fair value and will require expense recognition (rather than capitalization) of certain pre-acquisition costs. This standard also will require any adjustments to acquired deferred tax assets and liabilities occurring after the related allocation period to be made through earnings. Furthermore, this standard requires this treatment of acquired deferred tax assets and liabilities also be applied to acquisitions occurring prior to the effective date of this standard. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and is required to be adopted prospectively with no early adoption permitted. SFAS No. 141(R) will be adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2009. The Company does not currently have on its balance sheet any material deferred costs related to prospective acquisitions that would be required to be expensed upon the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R). Any outstanding deferred costs will be expensed in 2009 for any acquisitions that are not closed by December 31, 2008. Furthermore, the impact of SFAS No. 141(R) on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position in future periods will be largely dependent on the number of acquisitions pursued by the Company; however, it is not anticipated at this time that such impact will be material.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 160 addresses the accounting and reporting framework for noncontrolling ownership interests in consolidated subsidiaries of the parent. SFAS No. 160 also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent company and the interests of

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

the noncontrolling owners and that require minority ownership interests be presented separately within equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and will be adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2009. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact that SFAS No. 160 will have on its consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial position.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 expands the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and for hedging activities in order to provide additional understanding of how an entity uses derivative instruments and how they are accounted for and reported in an entity’s financial statements. The new disclosure requirements for SFAS No. 161 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and will be adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2009.

 

 

The Company operates in three distinct operating segments, represented by the hospital operations (which includes its general acute care hospitals and related healthcare entities that provide inpatient and outpatient health care services), the home health agencies operations (which provide in-home outpatient care), and its hospital management services business (which provides executive management and consulting services to non-affiliated acute care hospitals). Only the hospital operations segment meets the criteria in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS No. 131”), as a separate reportable segment. The financial information for the home health agencies and management services segments do not meet the quantitative thresholds defined in SFAS No. 131 and are combined into the corporate and all other reportable segment.

 

The distribution between reportable segments of the Company’s revenues and income from continuing operations before income taxes is summarized in the following tables (in thousands):

 

 

 

The Company is a party to various legal proceedings incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, any ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations. In addition, in connection with the closing of the Triad acquisition on July 25, 2007, the Company has assumed both recorded and unrecorded contingencies of Triad. The Company’s management is not aware of any unrecorded contingencies assumed in connection with the Triad acquisition, whose ultimate outcome will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

In a letter dated October 4, 2007, the Civil Division of the Department of Justice notified the Company that, as a result of an investigation into the way in which different state Medicaid programs apply to the federal government

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

for matching or supplemental funds that are ultimately used to pay for a small portion of the services provided to Medicaid and indigent patients, it believes the Company and three of its New Mexico hospitals have caused the State of New Mexico to submit improper claims for federal funds in violation of the federal False Claims Act. In a letter dated January 22, 2008, the Civil Division notified the Company that based on its investigation, it has calculated that these three hospitals received ineligible federal participation payments from August 2000 to September 2006 of approximately $27.5 million. The Civil Division also advised the Company that were it to proceed to trial, it would seek treble damages plus an appropriate penalty for each of the violations of the False Claims Act. On May 28, 2008, the Company received a letter from the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the State of New Mexico requesting additional information. The Company is in the process of responding to the government. The Company continues to believe that it has not violated the False Claims Act, and is continuing discussions with the Civil Division in an effort to resolve this matter.

 

 

On October 1, 2008, the Company completed its acquisition of Deaconess Medical Center (388 licensed beds) and Valley Hospital and Medical Center (123 licensed beds), located in Spokane, Washington, from Empire Health Services. The total consideration for these hospitals was approximately $175.1 million, of which approximately $149.2 million was paid in cash and $25.9 million was assumed in liabilities.

 

During October 2008, the Company repurchased 2,500,000 shares of its common stock under its open market repurchase program (see Note 9) at a weighted-average price of $20.73 per share. Also, during October 2008, the Company repurchased on the open market and cancelled $42.8 million of principal amount of the Notes.

 

 

In connection with the consummation of the Triad acquisition in July 2007, the Company obtained $7.215 billion of senior secured financing under the New Credit Facility and CHS issued the Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $3.021 billion. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of CHS and are guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company and by certain existing and subsequently acquired or organized 100% owned domestic subsidiaries.

 

The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis. The following condensed consolidating financial statements present Community Health Systems, Inc. (as parent guarantor), CHS (as the issuer), the subsidiary guarantors, the subsidiary non-guarantors and eliminations. These supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared and presented in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered”.

 

The presentation of intercompany balances and allocated income tax expense in the Company’s previously issued supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements is being corrected as follows:

 

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

 

The Company’s intercompany activity consists primarily of daily cash transfers for purposes of cash management, the allocation of certain expenses and expenditures paid for by the parent on behalf of the subsidiaries, and the push down of investment in its subsidiaries. The Company’s subsidiaries generally do not purchase services from one another and therefore the intercompany transactions do not represent revenue generating transactions. All intercompany transactions eliminate in consolidation. Therefore, the aforementioned corrections do not impact the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of income or consolidated statement of cash flows for any period presented. Management believes the effects of these corrections are not material to the Company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements and intends, for those prior period supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements not presented as part of this footnote, to reflect these corrections in future filings whenever such supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements are included. The following table discloses the impact of these corrections on each of the respective line items of the supplemental condensed consolidating financial statements as of and for the periods ending September 30, 2007 (in thousands).

 

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)