News Release: February 27, 2007

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Presbyterian Healthcare Services was ranked fourth in the latest assessment of the 100 most highly integrated healthcare networks in the nation. The report was featured in Modern Healthcare and was conducted by Verispan, which is considered to be the nation's premier rating system for evaluating healthcare networks on their performance and degree of integration.

An integrated healthcare network is one that brings together practitioners, hospitals and a health plan to improve patient results and manage costs.

Presbyterian moved up to fourth from seventh in last year's report and pointed to its progress in managed patient care, case and disease management and financial census.

"Our patients and members deserve consistent high-quality care wherever they are served. That's why Presbyterian is focused on bringing together physicians, hospitals and health coverage to provide nationally-excellent care for every patient, every member, every time." said Jim Hinton, Presbyterian president and CEO.

For example, Presbyterian Health Plan and Presbyterian Medical Group have been working hard to help all members and patients control their diabetes before it leads to chronic health problems. Together, Presbyterian Health Plan is achieving nationally-excellent results for members in good control of diabetes, and Presbyterian Medical Group is producing some of the best results in the nation in helping patients control their blood sugar levels.

This is the tenth annual "Integrated Healthcare Network 100," which grades more than 550 healthcare systems across the country using a 100-point scale based on operations, clinical quality, efficiency, financial performance and range of services.

Presbyterian serves to improve the health of individuals, families and communities. Presbyterian Healthcare Services was founded in New Mexico in 1908, and is the state's only private, not-for-profit healthcare system. Presbyterian offers eight hospitals, a statewide health plan, and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Presbyterian employs more than 9,500 people throughout New Mexico.