HEALTH

Columbia/HCA Not Liable for $614 Million in Taxes: The Nashville-based company said it will not have to pay that amount after it received a favorable ruling from the U.S. Tax Court. Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., the nation’s largest hospital operator, said the court ruled that its Hospital Corp. of America subsidiary properly reported its taxable income and will not be liable for the $614 million. The tax ruling will not have a material effect on Columbia/HCA’s earnings, the company said. Still, the ruling will not free up cash reserves because Columbia/HCA had not set aside funds to account for a court ruling against it, a company official said. Still at issue is $446 million in income tax and interest for the period ended Dec. 31.