Inside Baseball at HCA

Over the years, HCA (HCA Quote) insiders have shown a real knack for well-timed stock sales.

Their efforts haven't always drawn the kind of spotlight now beating down on the Nashville, Tenn., hospital chain. But then, the insiders weren't often selling just ahead of a profit warning that would send the stock into a tailspin. Nor were they usually selling alongside a member of the founding family and a high-ranking politician, Sen. Bill Frist.

The government is now investigating the well-timed sales of HCA stock by the Tennessee Republican. Frist denies wrongdoing, saying the sales were part of an effort to eliminate even the appearance of a potential conflict of interest. ...