Health Management Associates 10-Q 2003 Q1 Quarterly report

Exhibit 99.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 906”), I, Robert E. Farnham, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Health Management Associates, Inc., certify that (i) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Health Management Associates, Inc.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Health Management Associates, Inc. and will be retained by Health Management Associates, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

/s/ ROBERT E. FARNHAM

Robert E. Farnham
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: May 9, 2003