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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - HCA Inc., the nation's largest for-profit hospital operator, said Tuesday its third-quarter profit rose 23 percent as revenue increased slightly and the company incurred fewer costs for uninsured patients and bad debt.
Net income rose to $280 million, or 62 cents per share, from $227 million, or 47 cents per share, a year earlier. The result was in line with the company's forecast earlier this month for earnings of 61 cents to 63 cents.
The latest quarter included 5 cents per share in charges from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which were offset by an estimated tax benefit of 5 cents per share from repatriated foreign earnings.
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