Both sides win. Deal to pay off for Columbia and not-for-profit group

While the nation's largest for-profit chain retrenches, members of a not-for-profit healthcare consortium are barreling ahead to solidify their market positions. Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. and the eight-member buying group last week disclosed details of an agreement that will result in the sale of 22 hospitals in Columbia's 45-hospital Atlantic Group. The consortium will pay $1.2 billion in cash.