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                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                        Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report                                                 February 6, 2001
(Date of Earliest Event Reported)

                          HCA - THE HEALTHCARE COMPANY
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

                                    DELAWARE
                            (State of Incorporation)


 001-11239                                                       75-2497104
(Commission                                                   (I.R.S. Employer
File Number)                                                 Identification No.)


One Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee                                37203
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)


                                 (615) 344-9551
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

     On February 6, 2001, HCA - The Healthcare Company (the "Company") announced
operating results for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2000.

ITEM 7. EXHIBIT

        Exhibit 20     Copy of press release dated February 6, 2001 relating to
                       fourth quarter earnings release.


                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

HCA - THE HEALTHCARE COMPANY

/s/ JOHN M. FRANCK II
- -----------------------------------
John M. Franck II
Corporate Secretary

DATED: February 20, 2001