Brentwood, TN - March 1, 2009 - HealthTrust Purchasing Group, LP (HealthTrust) and Healthcare Services of New England, Inc. (HSNE) today announced a partnership to co-market their respective contract portfolios in the New England market. HSNE members will benefit from the broad national HealthTrust portfolio, while retaining access to local service agreements provided by HSNE. The partnership will go into effect on March 1, 2009.

Under terms of the agreement, HSNE principals will have responsibility for marketing the combined offerings to hospitals in the area. Members and prospects will have access to the most competitive national contract portfolio, in addition to the support of local representation and advocacy. HSNE completed an evaluation of several national GPO's to determine HealthTrust was the perfect match.

"We were impressed with HealthTrust's rigorous contracting process which includes an extensive analysis by their member clinical review boards. Their model assures our clients the best products at the industry best price," said James Cleveland, chairman of HSNE. "We believe the HealthTrust contract portfolio and supply chain expertise are the best kept secret in health care, and we intend to change that in the New England Market."

"HSNE has a strong legacy of service and support in the market, and we are pleased to partner in a fashion that strengthens the member value proposition and our market presence," said Jim Fitzgerald, president and CEO of HealthTrust.