EXHIBIT 16.1 ERNST & YOUNG LLP AmSouth/Harbert Plaza Suite 1900 1901 Sixth Avenue North Birmingham, Alabama 35203 Phone: (205) 251-2000 www.ey.com April 23, 2003 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549 Gentlemen: We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated April 11, 2003, of HEALTHSOUTH Corporation and are in agreement with the statements contained in the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth paragraphs therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.