EXHIBIT 23.1


            Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of HCA Inc. and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 8, 2006, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of HCA Inc., HCA Inc.
management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of
HCA Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December
31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



March 30, 2006
Nashville, Tennessee