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$600,000,000

HCA Inc.

$350,000,000 5.25% Notes due 2008

          We will pay interest on the notes on May 6 and November 6 of each year, beginning on May 6, 2004. The 2008 notes will mature on November 6, 2008 and will bear interest at a rate of 5.25%. The 2033 notes will mature on November 6, 2033 and will bear interest at a rate of 7.50%. Interest will accrue from November 6, 2003. We may redeem some or all of the notes of each series at any time at a redemption price described on page S-12.

          Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined if this prospectus supplement or the attached prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

          The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the notes.

          We expect to deliver the notes for each series to investors through the book-entry delivery system of The Depository Trust Company, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear on or about November 6, 2003.

Joint Book-Running Managers

Senior Co-Managers

Banc of America Securities LLC

Co-Managers

BNY Capital Markets, Inc.

October 31, 2003

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Prospectus Supplement

Prospectus

You should read this prospectus supplement along with the attached prospectus. Both documents contain information that you should consider when making your investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement only. Our business, financial position, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

          This prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus include certain disclosures which contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “initiative,” or “continue.” These forward-looking statements address, among other things, strategic objectives and the anticipated effects of the offering. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary.” These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control, that could significantly affect current plans and expectations and our future financial position and results of operations. These factors include, but are not limited to,

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          As a consequence, current plans, anticipated actions and future financial position and results of operations may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make. You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this prospectus supplement, the attached prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

          The following table sets forth the ratio of our consolidated earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented.

          For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before minority interests, income taxes and fixed charges. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, debt amortization costs and one-third of rent expense, which approximates the interest portion of rent expense.

USE OF PROCEEDS

          We estimate that the net proceeds from the offering of the notes, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the offering, will be approximately $594 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under our $1.75 billion bank revolving credit facility. As of October 31, 2003 we had approximately $925 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility, which matures in April 2006. Based on our current credit ratings, borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.00% per annum (2.12% at October 31, 2003).

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CAPITALIZATION

          The following table sets forth our total capitalization as of June 30, 2003 and as adjusted to give effect to the offering of notes by this prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

          We will issue the notes under an indenture, dated as of December 16, 1993, between us and The First National Bank of Chicago. We will refer to the indenture, together with all supplements, as the “Indenture.” Bank One Trust Company, N.A. succeeded The First National Bank of Chicago as Trustee, which fact is reflected in the First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture, dated as of May 25, 2000. The Bank of New York then succeeded Bank One Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee, which fact is reflected in the Third Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture, dated as of December 5, 2001. We will call The Bank of New York the “Trustee.”

          A form of the Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which the attached prospectus is a part. The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Indenture and of the notes (or debt securities, as they are referred to in the attached prospectus). This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified by, the Indenture.

          The 2008 notes will mature on November 6, 2008 and the 2033 notes will mature on November 6, 2033. The notes of each series will bear interest at the rate per year shown on the cover of this prospectus supplement, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The period during which the notes of each series will earn interest will begin on November 6, 2003 or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for. The interest will be payable twice a year on May 6 and November 6, beginning on May 6, 2004. Interest payable on any note that is punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date shall be paid to the person in whose name such note is registered at the close of business on April 21 and October 21, as the case may be, preceding such interest payment date. We may pay interest, at our option, by checks mailed to the registered holders of the notes.

          The notes of each series will be issued in book-entry form only.

          You can find more detailed information regarding the terms of the notes in the prospectus under the heading “Description of the Debt Securities.”

Issuance of Additional Notes

          We may, without the consent of the holders of the notes of each series increase the principal amount of such series of notes by issuing additional notes in the future on the same terms and conditions, except for any differences in the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of the additional notes, and with the same CUSIP number as the series of notes offered hereby. The notes offered by this prospectus supplement and any additional notes would rank equally and ratably for all purposes under the Indenture.

Optional Redemption

          The notes of each series will be redeemable in whole or in part, at our option, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the then current Treasury Rate (as defined below), plus 30 basis points in the case of the 2008 notes and 37.5 basis points in the case of the 2033 notes. In each case, we will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of redemption.

          “Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to: (1) the yield under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that, if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life of the notes to be redeemed, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on

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          “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker and having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

          “Remaining Life” means the maturity of a United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker that is comparable to the remaining term of such notes.

          “Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Trustee after consultation with us.

          “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (a) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all the quotations.

          “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

          “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and their respective successors; provided however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we shall substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

          We will mail notice of any redemption between 30 and 60 days preceding the redemption date to each holder of the notes to be redeemed.

          The notice of the redemption for such notes will state, among other things, the amount of the notes to be redeemed, the redemption price and the place or places that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the notes to be redeemed.

          Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions called for redemption.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

          The underwriters will settle each series of the notes in immediately available funds. So long as the Depositary continues to make its same-day funds settlement system available to us, we will make all payments of principal and interest on the notes of each series in immediately available funds.

Book-Entry System

          The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, will act as the Depositary for each series of the notes. The notes of each series will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the Depositary. The provisions described under “Description of the Debt Securities-Book-Entry System” in the attached prospectus will apply to each series of the notes. Accordingly, beneficial interests in the notes of each series will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary and its participants.

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          The Depositary has advised us and the underwriters that it is:

          The Depositary holds securities, such as the notes, deposited by its direct participants. The Depositary also facilitates the settlement among direct participants of securities transactions in deposited securities, such as transfers and pledges, through electronic computerized book-entry changes in the direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. The Depositary is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the Depositary’s book-entry system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. These entities are known as indirect participants. The rules applicable to the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.

          Principal and interest payments on the notes of each series registered in the name of the Depositary’s nominee will be made in immediately available funds to the Depositary’s nominee as the registered owner of the global securities. Under the terms of the notes of each series, we and the Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payment of principal and interest on them and for all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, neither we, the Trustee nor any paying agent has any direct responsibility or liability for the payment of principal or interest on the global securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities. The Depositary has advised us and the Trustee that its current practice is, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest, to credit direct participants’ accounts on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on the Depositary’s records. Payments by direct and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such direct and indirect participants and not of the Depositary, the Trustee, or HCA, subject to any statutory requirements that may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to the Depositary’s nominee is the responsibility of the Trustee or HCA. Disbursement of such payments to the direct participants shall be the responsibility of the Depositary, and disbursement of such payments to the owners of beneficial interests in the global securities shall be the responsibility of the direct and indirect participants.

          Notes represented by a global security will be exchangeable for notes in definitive form of like tenor issuable in authorized denominations and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct, only if either (i) the Depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such global security or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days or (ii) we, in our discretion at any time, determine not to require all of the notes of the series to be represented by a global security and so notify the Trustee. The notes will be in denominations of $1,000 and in any greater amount that is an integral multiple thereof. Subject to the foregoing, a global security is not exchangeable, except for a global security or global securities of the same aggregate denominations to be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

          Links have been established among the Depositary, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear, which are two European book-entry depositaries similar to the Depositary, to facilitate issuance of each series of notes sold outside of the United States. In addition, secondary market trading of book-entry

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          The policies of Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear will govern payments, transfers, exchange and other matters relating to the investor’s interest in securities held by them. We have no responsibility for any aspect of the records kept by Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear or any of their direct or indirect participants. We also do not supervise these systems in any way.

          Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and their participants perform these clearance and settlement functions under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers. You should be aware that they are not obligated to perform or continue to perform these procedures and may modify them or discontinue them at any time.

          The description of the clearing systems in this section reflects our understanding of the rules and procedures of Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear as they are currently in effect. These systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have obtained the information in this section concerning Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and their book-entry systems and procedures from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

Clearstream, Luxembourg

          Clearstream, Luxembourg is incorporated as a bank under Luxembourg law. Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream, Luxembourg customers through electronic book-entry changes in customer accounts, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides to its customers, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream, Luxembourg interfaces with domestic markets in a number of countries. Clearstream, Luxembourg has established an electronic bridge with Euroclear to facilitate settlement of trades between Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear.

          As a registered bank in Luxembourg, Clearstream, Luxembourg is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector. Clearstream, Luxembourg customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. In the United States, Clearstream, Luxembourg customers are limited to securities brokers and dealers. Clearstream, Luxembourg customers may include the underwriters. Other institutions that maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream, Luxembourg customer may obtain indirect access to Clearstream, Luxembourg.

The Euroclear System

          The Euroclear System was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of the Euroclear System and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and the risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may now be settled in many currencies, including United States dollars. The Euroclear System includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries.

          The Euroclear System is operated by the Brussels office of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, which is known as the Euroclear Operator, under contract with Euroclear Clearance System, S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation. The Euroclear Operator conducts all operations, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not

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          The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the New York State Banking Department and the Belgian Banking Commission regulate and examine the Euroclear Operator.

          The “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the related “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and applicable Belgian law govern securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Specifically, these terms and conditions govern:

          All securities in the Euroclear System are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding securities through Euroclear participants.

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UNDERWRITING

          We and the underwriters have entered into an underwriting agreement relating to the offering and sale of the notes of each series. In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes that appears opposite its name in the table below:

          The obligations of the underwriters under the underwriting agreement, including their agreement to purchase notes from us, are several and not joint. Those obligations are also subject to certain conditions in the underwriting agreement being satisfied. The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the notes if any of them are purchased.

          The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the notes of each series to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may offer the notes to selected dealers at the public offering price minus a selling concession of up to .340% of the principal amount of the 2008 notes and .500% of the principal amount of the 2033 notes. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow, a selling concession of up to .260% of the principal amount of the 2008 notes and .375% of the principal amount of the 2033 notes to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the underwriters may change the public offering price and any other selling terms.

          In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that:

          The notes of each series are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for the notes of each series. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the notes of each series to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes of each series to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes of each series, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market making in the notes of each series at any time in their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for either series of the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

          Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater principal amount of notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriters may close out any short position by purchasing notes in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the notes in the open market prior to the completion of the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of the notes made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering. The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives of the underwriters have repurchased notes

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          Certain of the underwriters will make the notes available for distribution on the internet through a third-party system operated by Market Axess Inc., an internet-based communications technology provider. Market Axess Inc. is providing the system for communications between such underwriters and their customers and is not a party to any transactions. Market Axess Inc., a registered broker-dealer, will receive compensation from certain of the underwriters based on transactions they conduct through the system. Such underwriters will make the notes available to their customers through the internet distributions on the same terms as distributions made through other channels.

          The underwriters and their affiliates engage in various general financing and banking transactions with us and our affiliates. In particular, affiliates of certain underwriters are lenders under our revolving credit facility and will receive a portion of the amounts repaid under our revolving credit facility with the net proceeds of the offering. Because more than 10% of the net proceeds will be paid to affiliates of the underwriters, the offering is being conducted in compliance with Rule 2710(c)(8) of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

          It is expected that delivery of each series of notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the date specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which is the fourth business day following the date hereof. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on the date hereof or any day prior to the third business day before the date of delivery of the notes will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes will settle in T+4, to agree to a delayed settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Those who purchase the notes and wish to trade the notes on the date hereof or the next succeeding business day should consult their own advisors.

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PROSPECTUS

HCA INC.

$2,500,000,000

Debt Securities

         This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf ” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $2,500,000,000.

      This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

      You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement. Neither we nor any underwriter has authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these debt securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

      We will provide specific terms of these debt securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest.

      Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

      We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and file reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy these reports at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at (800) 732-0330. You may also inspect these reports at the SEC’s New York Regional Office, 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279, at its Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common stock trades. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports and other information regarding us (http://www.sec.gov).

      We have registered these securities with the SEC on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933. As allowed by the SEC’s rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement. You may obtain copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits), free of charge, as discussed in the first paragraph.

      The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents:

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, information furnished under Items 9 and 12 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K, including the related Exhibits, is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying registration statement.

      You may obtain copies of the above information (including exhibits), upon written or oral request, without charge. You should direct requests to John M. Franck II, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, HCA Inc., One Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 or by telephone at (615) 344-9551. Our web site address is www.hcahealthcare.com. Please note that our web site address is provided as an inactive textual reference only.

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THE COMPANY

      HCA Inc. is a holding company whose affiliates own and operate hospitals and related health care entities. The term “affiliates” includes our direct and indirect subsidiaries and partnerships and joint ventures in which our subsidiaries are partners. As of June 30, 2003, these affiliates owned and operated 184 hospitals and 76 freestanding surgery centers and provided extensive outpatient and ancillary services. Our affiliates are also partners in several 50/50 joint ventures that own and operate six hospitals and four freestanding surgery centers which are accounted for using the equity method. Our facilities are located in 23 states, England and Switzerland.

      Our primary objective is to provide a comprehensive array of quality health care services in the most cost-effective manner possible. Our hospitals provide a full range of medical services including such medical specialties as internal medicine, general surgery, cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and obstetrics, as well as diagnostic and emergency services. We also provide outpatient and ancillary health care services at both our general, acute care hospitals and at our freestanding facilities, including outpatient surgery and diagnostic centers, rehabilitation facilities, home health care agencies and other facilities. In addition, we operate psychiatric hospitals which generally provide a full range of mental health care services in inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient settings.

      We were formed in January 1990 as a Nevada corporation and reincorporated in Delaware in July 1993. Our principal executive offices are located at One Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, and our telephone number at that address is (615) 344-9551.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

      The following table sets forth the ratio of our consolidated earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented.

      For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before minority interests, income taxes and fixed charges. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, debt amortization costs and one-third of rent expense, which approximates the interest portion of rent expense.

USE OF PROCEEDS

      Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities for general corporate purposes. We intend to offer the debt securities periodically when prevailing interest rates and other market conditions are advantageous or as required by our financing needs.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

General

      The description below of the general terms of the debt securities will be supplemented by the more specific terms in the prospectus supplement.

      We will issue the debt securities in one or more series under an indenture dated as of December 16, 1993 between us and The Bank of New York, successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, which succeeded The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee. We will refer to the indenture, together with all supplements, as the “Indenture.” We will call The Bank of New York the “Trustee.” The Indenture describes the terms of the debt securities and does not limit the amount of debt securities or other unsecured, senior debt that we may issue.

      The debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Indenture limits our ability and that of our subsidiaries under certain circumstances to secure debt by mortgages on our principal properties, by entering into sale and lease-back transactions or by issuing subsidiary debt or preferred stock. In a liquidation or reorganization of any of our subsidiaries, the right of holders of the debt securities to participate in any distribution is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent that we are a creditor.

      In addition to the following description of the debt securities, you should refer to the detailed provisions of the Indenture, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The article and section numbers refer to those in the Indenture.

      The prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of the issue of debt securities:

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      The debt securities may be issued at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe any federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to discount securities. Discount securities may provide for the declaration or acceleration of the maturity of an amount less than the principal amount if an event of default occurs and continues.

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

      Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities in registered form and in denominations of $1,000 or any multiple thereof (Section 302). You will be able to exchange the debt securities of any series (other than a global note) for an equal aggregate principal amount of registered debt securities of the same series having the same maturity date, interest rate and other terms, as long as the debt securities are issued in authorized denominations. You may exchange the debt securities at the office of the security registrar or co-security registrar that we designate in a prospectus supplement. We will not impose any service charge for the exchange of any debt security; however, we may ask you to pay any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the Indenture. The security registrar or co-security registrar will effect the exchange when satisfied with your documents of title and identity. We have appointed the Trustee as security registrar (Section 305).

Payment and Paying Agents

      Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will make principal, premium, and interest payments at the office of our paying agent. Alternatively, we may determine to pay any interest, including any installment of interest, (i) by check mailed to you at the address in the register or (ii) by wire transfer to the holder’s account (Section 307).

      Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the Trustee will act as our sole paying agent with respect to the debt securities, through its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. We will name any additional paying agents in a prospectus supplement. We may at any time rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, but we must maintain a paying agent, which can be us, in each place of payment for a series of the debt securities.

      If we have paid any moneys to the Trustee or a paying agent for the principal, premium, and interest on any debt securities, and those moneys remain unclaimed two years after due and payable, the moneys will be repaid to us and the holder of the debt securities may thereafter look only to us for any payment (Section 1103).

Book-Entry System

      We may issue the debt securities in whole or in part in book-entry only form, which means that they will be represented by one or more permanent global notes that will be deposited with a depositary located in the United States, unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement. We will identify the

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      One or more global notes will be issued to and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. The depositary will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the securities. Beneficial interests in global notes will be shown on, and transfers of global notes will be made only through, records maintained by the depositary and its participants.

      So long as a depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, it will be considered the sole owner of the debt securities under the Indenture. Except as provided below, you will not be entitled to have debt securities registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owner under the Indenture. Certain jurisdictions that require purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of securities in definitive form may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global note. Neither we, the Trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for payments on account of, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to, the beneficial ownership interests.

      We will make payments of principal, premium and interest on debt securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of the global note. We expect that the depositary for debt securities of a series, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of a global note, will credit immediately participants’ accounts with payments according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global note as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through the participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” These payments will be the responsibility of the participants.

      A global note may not be transferred, except that the depositary, its nominees and their successors may transfer an entire global note to one another. Debt securities represented by a global security would be exchangeable for certificates in definitive registered form with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

In either instance, an owner of beneficial interests in a global note will be entitled to have debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest registered in its name and to physical delivery in definitive form (Section 304).

Limitations on Us and Our Subsidiaries

  Limitations on Mortgages

      The Indenture provides that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries will issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness or obligation secured by mortgages, liens, pledges or other encumbrances upon any principal property (which means each of our acute care hospitals that provides general medical and surgical services), unless the debt securities shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such debt (Section 1105). This restriction will not apply to:

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  Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back

      The Indenture provides that neither we nor any subsidiary will enter into any sale and lease-back transaction with respect to any principal property with another person unless either:

  Limitations on Subsidiary Debt and Preferred Stock

      The Indenture provides that none of our restricted subsidiaries may, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume or otherwise become liable with respect to, extend the maturity of, or become responsible for the payment of, any debt or preferred stock except:

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  Exempted Transactions

      Even if otherwise prohibited by these limitations, if the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all our other debt and that of our subsidiaries subject to these limitations does not exceed 15% of our consolidated net tangible assets, then:

Events of Default

      Under the Indenture, an event of default applicable to the debt securities of any series means:

      If any event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount, or in the case of discount securities, a portion of the principal amount, of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. The holders may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul this acceleration prior to obtaining a judgment or decree (Section 502).

      Other than the duties of the Trustee during a default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless the holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity (Section 603). Subject to these indemnification provisions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series (Section 512).

      We will furnish the Trustee annually with a statement as to our performance of certain obligations under the Indenture and as to any default in our performance (Section 1109).

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Modification and Waiver

      We and the Trustee may modify and amend the Indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected. We must have the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected to:

      The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to debt securities of that series. However, such holders may not waive a past default in the payment of principal, premium or interest, or any sinking fund installment with respect to the debt securities, or waive a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security affected (Section 513).

Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Lease of Assets

      We may consolidate with or merge into, or transfer or lease our assets to, any corporation without the consent of the holders of any of the outstanding debt securities under the Indenture if:

Defeasance

      If so specified in a prospectus supplement, we may be discharged from all obligations under the debt securities of any series, and we will not be subject to the limitations in the Indenture discussed in the above sections, if we deposit with the Trustee trust money or U.S. government obligations that are sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest on the debt securities of the series. We would deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit and related defeasance would not (1) cause the holders of the debt securities of the series to recognize income, gain or loss for United States income tax purposes or (2) result in the delisting of the debt securities from any national securities exchange (if so listed) (Article Fourteen).

Notices

      Notices to holders will be mailed to the addresses of the holders listed in the security register (Sections 101, 105).

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Governing Law

      We will construe the Indenture and the debt securities in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (Section 111).

Concerning the Trustee

      The Trustee has normal banking relationships with us.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

      We may sell the debt securities directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents or through a combination of any of those methods of sale. We may distribute the debt securities in one or more transactions, either at a fixed price or varying prices, at prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The prospectus supplement will identify the terms of the offering, the names of the underwriters or agents, the purchase price, any underwriting discounts, the method of distribution and the time and place of delivery of the debt securities.

      Agents designated by us from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the debt securities. We will name any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the debt securities and set forth any commissions payable by us to such agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the debt securities.

      If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of debt securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. Such compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and others participating in any offering of debt securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of such securities. We will describe any such activities in the prospectus supplement.

      If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the debt securities, we or an underwriter will sell such debt securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

      We may directly solicit offers to purchase the debt securities, and we or an underwriter may sell directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the debt securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized.

      Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may engage in transactions with or perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

      Since each issuance of a series of these debt securities will have no established trading market, broker-dealers may make a market in the debt securities. We cannot assure the liquidity of the trading market for the debt securities.

Delayed Delivery Arrangement

      If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will authorize dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase debt securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date, if so permitted by the purchaser’s jurisdiction. We must approve all institutions, which may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. The dealers and other agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of these contracts.

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LEGAL OPINIONS

      Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is passing upon the validity of the debt securities for us. Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, is passing upon legal matters in connection with the offering of the debt securities for any underwriters, dealers or agents. Jenkens & Gilchrist has rendered, and continues to render, legal services to us.

EXPERTS

      Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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HCA Inc.