Correction: Fitch Teleconf: 2005 Hospital & Health Care System Outlook 1/20, 2:00 pm EST.

NEW YORK -- (This is an amended version of a press release issued this morning and contains revised dates in the first and third paragraphs.)

Fitch Ratings will hold a teleconference to discuss Fitch's 2005 hospital and health care system outlook. The call will take place Thursday, Jan. 20 at 2:00 p.m. EST  and will be hosted by Fitch analysts John Wells and James Gilliland. The health care group will publish a special report with its outlook for 2005 the week of Jan. 17. Powerpoint slides for the teleconference will also be available on the day of the call at www.fitchratings.com under the heading 'About Fitch,' 'Teleconference and Online Events'.

Domestic participants should call 888-266-4139 and international participants should call 706-643-1860 five minutes prior to the 2:00 p.m. EST start time. There is no password. To ensure there are sufficient telephone lines available, use internal conferencing capabilities, if possible, for multiple listeners at a single location. If you would like to participate, e-mail [e-mail].

A replay of the teleconference will be available on Thursday Jan. 20, two hours after the call ends, until Thursday Jan. 27 at the close of the business day at 800-642-1687 (domestic) or 706-645-9291 (international). The conference ID number for the instant replay is '3192261.'

Additionally, a replay of the teleconference will be archived on the Fitch Ratings web site for three months. Interested parties can find the appropriate link at the 'Teleconference and Online Events' link, which is located under the heading 'About Fitch' at www.fitchratings.com.