IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debra Lynn Ross
Contact: Doug Swanson
Director, Corporate Communications
Vice Pres., Market Development
Phone (847) 592-7800
Phone (615) 344-3097
dross@consorta.com
doug.swanson@healthtrustpg.com
NEWS RELEASE
CONSORTA, INC. FINALIZES AGREEMENT TO BECOME SIXTH EQUITY OWNER
OF HEALTHTRUST PURCHASING GROUP
Schaumburg, Ill., April 18, 2007 – Consorta, Inc. and HealthTrust Purchasing Group, LP, two of
the nation’s leading healthcare group purchasing organizations, today finalized the agreement that
establishes Consorta as the sixth equity owner in HealthTrust.
The combination of the two companies creates the nation’s fourth largest group purchasing
organization (GPO), with more than $13 billion in combined volume. “As an equity owner of HealthTrust,
we will be able to offer members the best overall contract value and return among all GPOs,” explained
John W. Strong, Consorta’s president and chief executive officer.
According to Strong, during the first five years of the partnership, Consorta forecasts that the
combination will provide shareholders and members with $535 million in cost savings, via price
reductions and broader coverage afforded by HealthTrust’s portfolio. All 12 Consorta shareholders are
participating in the combination, along with Consorta affiliates.
"We are very pleased to have these outstanding Consorta shareholders and affiliates as new
members of HealthTrust,” said Jim Fitzgerald, president of HealthTrust. “While it validates our unique
model and value-proposition, I'm even more excited about the potential to strengthen our competitive
position. We’ll refresh all of our contracts over the next 18 months, delivering added value to all
HealthTrust members.”
HealthTrust will be responsible for all GPO Operations, including contracting. Consorta will
remain an independent organization, serving as its shareholders’ voice on the HealthTrust Board of
Advisors, and on HealthTrust cli