Press Room

Press Release

ST. JOSEPH HEALTH SERVICES OF RHODE ISLAND BECOMES CONSORTA DIRECT AFFILIATE

Schaumburg, Ill., February 5, 2007 - Consorta, a leading healthcare resource management and group purchasing organization, is pleased to announce that St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island has become a direct affiliate member. The St. Joseph organization is an integrated system of Catholic health care operating two hospitals in the Providence metropolitan area serving more than 220,000 patients annually. Both hospitals will now have access to Consorta's comprehensive portfolio of more than 800 contracts.

"We are looking forward to our new partnership with Consorta. Their aggressive pricing, rebate tracking and extensive menu of value added services and resources present considerable opportunities for savings for our hospitals," said H. John Keimig, president and CEO of St. Joseph Health Services.

"The direct affiliate designation provides St. Joseph Health Services with the opportunity to realize significant cost-savings as well as enhance their purchasing performance," said John Strong, president and CEO of Consorta. "We are confident that they will receive significant benefits as a member of Consorta."

Since its inception in 1998, Consorta's ability to foster a growing collaboration of Catholic health systems under a single GPO is unprecedented. The result has been annual revenue growth of more than 20 percent. In 2006, Consorta increased its cash returns by 10 percent, returning more than $123 million in cash to its members. Consorta's current rate of return of 75 cents is considered the highest rate of return of any major group purchasing organization in the country.

"Our performance trends clearly demonstrate that we are delivering both direct and indirect savings to our shareholders and members," said John W. Strong, president and chief executive officer of Consorta. "We're very excited and honored to be working with St. Joseph Health Services, a leading provider of acute and specialty health care services in the Rhode Island and Southeastern New England region."

About Consorta, Inc.
Consorta, based in suburban Chicago, is a leading healthcare resource management and group purchasing organization whose shareholders are faith-based or non-profit health systems. Consorta's 12 shareholder healthcare systems are among the leading integrators of non-profit healthcare in America. Consorta's membership now encompasses more than 3,280 care sites, including more than 530 acute care and over 250 extended care facilities throughout the country. Through its Advantage Program, Consorta provides contract purchasing power for some of the nation's leading non-profit organizations. For more information, visit www.consorta.com.

About St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island
As Rhode Island's twelfth largest employer with an annual operating budget of close to $185 million. St. Joseph Health Services includes two operating divisions; Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence is a 262 bed acute care facility providing a full range of medical and surgical services; and St. Joseph Hospital for Specialty Care in Providence, a 104 bed regional referral center for acute and sub acute physical rehabilitation and mental health services, as well as a nationally recognized community health center for primary care. St. Joseph also operates the St. Joseph Living Center, a sheltered care facility in the heart of Providence. St. Joseph Health Services is sponsored by but financially independent from the Diocese of Providence. For more information, visit www.saintjosephri.com.

Press Contact:
Debra Lynn Ross
dross@consorta.com
847-592-7864