Bernstein Liebhard LLP Announces That Only Two Weeks Remain for Health Management, Inc. Investors to File Lead Plaintiff Motions

NEW YORK, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP today announced that only two weeks remain for investors (the "Class") who purchased the common stock of Health Management Associates, Inc. ("Health Management" or "HMA") (NYSE: HMA) between July 27, 2009 through January 9, 2012 (the "Class Period") to file a motion for lead plaintiff.

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A securities class action was commenced against HMA in January 2012 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.  The lawsuit alleges violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the SEC. The complaint asserts that HMA, its Chief Executive Officer, and its current and former Chief Financial Officers made materially false and misleading statements during the Class Period.

Throughout the Class Period, Defendants repeatedly touted HMA's strong financial performance and growth, its increase in hospital admission rates, and its compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. However, on August 3, 2011, Defendants announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had issued a subpoena requesting "information on [HMA's] physician referrals as well as ownership and management at our whole-hospital physician joint ventures, among other items."  On this news, shares of HMA common stock fell by $0.80, to close at $7.97 per share.

Then, on January 9, 2012, an analyst from CRT Capital Group issued a report stating that HMA's former compliance director, Paul Meyer, filed a lawsuit against the Company for violation of Florida's Private Sector Whistleblower's Act. In addition to being HMA's Director of Compliance at the time of his wrongful termination, Meyer was a thirty-year veteran of the FBI, Healthcare Fraud Unit, in Miami. On this news, shares of Health Management dropped another $0.53 per share, falling from $7.49 per share to $6.96.

Plaintiffs seek to recover damages on behalf of all Class members who purchased or otherwise acquired Health Management common stock during the Class Period.  If you purchased or otherwise acquired Health Management common stock during the Class Period, and either lost money on the transaction or still hold the shares, you may wish to join in this action to serve as lead plaintiff.  In order to do so, you must meet certain requirements set forth in the applicable law and file appropriate papers no later than March 26, 2012.

A "lead plaintiff" is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.  In order to be appointed lead plaintiff, the court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class.  Under certain circumstances, one or more class members may together serve as lead plaintiff.  Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.  You may retain Bernstein Liebhard LLP, or other counsel of your choice, to serve as your counsel in this action.

If you are interested in discussing your rights as a Health Management shareholder and/or have information relating to the matter, please contact Joseph R. Seidman, Jr. at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected].

Bernstein Liebhard has pursued hundreds of securities, consumer and shareholder rights cases and recovered over $3 billion for its clients.  It has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" in each of the last nine years.

You can obtain a copy of the complaint from the clerk of the court for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414
www.bernlieb.com

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information
Joseph R. Seidman, Jr.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
http://www.bernlieb.com
(212) 779-1414
[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP