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NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
NOTE 14 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases   – We lease various operating facilities and certain medical equipment under operating leases with renewal options expiring through 2025.  Certain leases contain renewal options from two to ten years and escalation based either on the consumer price index or fixed rent escalators.  The schedule below includes lease renewals that are reasonably assured.  Leases with fixed rent escalators are recorded on a straight-line basis.  We record deferred rent for tenant leasehold improvement allowances received from a lessor and amortize the deferred rent expense over the term of the lease agreement.  Minimum annual payments under operating leases for future years, including all options to extend ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

   
Facilities
   
Equipment
   
Total
 
2012
  $ 38,220     $ 10,036     $ 48,256  
2013
    34,567       8,535       43,102  
2014
    30,624       5,634       36,258  
2015
    26,923       4,381       31,304  
2016
    22,677       1,694       24,371  
Thereafter
    121,986       -       121,986  
    $ 274,997     $ 30,280     $ 305,277  

Total rent expense, including equipment rentals, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $53.3 million, $47.9 million and $43.4 million, respectively.

Maintenance Contract   – We have an arrangement with GE Medical Systems under which it has agreed to be responsible for the maintenance and repair of a majority of our equipment for a fee that is based on the type and age of the equipment.  Under this agreement, we are committed to minimum payments of approximately $30.0 million per year through 2016.

Litigation   – We are engaged from time to time in the defense of lawsuits arising out of the ordinary course and conduct of our business. We believe that the outcome of our current litigation will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  However, we could be subsequently named as a defendant in other lawsuits that could adversely affect us.