VHA and AT&T Bring Innovative Communications Solutions to Health Care

Irving, Texas, In today’s challenging financial climate, the health care industry consistently seeks ways to cut costs and improve operational efficiencies while striving to provide high quality patient care. Thanks to a new agreement between VHA Inc., the national health care network, and AT&T*, VHA member hospitals and non-acute care organizations can take advantage of cost-effective innovative voice and data solutions tailored to meet their communications needs.

Under the contract, VHA members obtain competitive rates on AT&T’s wireline services including local** and long distance voice services, toll-free service and audio and video conferencing. In addition, the new agreement provides additional value through important communication solutions like Managed Internet Service, ATM, Frame Relay and Business VoIP.

The new agreement extends VHA’s longstanding relationship with AT&T and expands VHA’s existing portfolio of AT&T’s networking solutions. Through a separate contract, VHA members and their employees benefit from a wide range of AT&T wireless voice and data services helping VHA members reduce costs, mobilize their workforce and increase employee productivity.

“Effective communication is vital to health care institutions. No matter where they or their patients are, caregivers need immediate, real-time information about each patient’s condition and response to treatment,” said Amy Anthony, senior vice president of supply chain services at VHA. “AT&T has a proven track record of providing reliable communications services that meet our members’ needs, which ultimately helps them provide high quality care and improve patient outcomes.”

VHA represents more than 28 percent of the nation’s not-for-profit community hospitals. VHA delivers supply chain management services and clinical improvement services to help them improve their economic and clinical performance.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

**Local voice services available in AR, CA, CT, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NV, OH, OK, TX and WI.

About VHA Inc.
VHA Inc. is a national network of more than 1,400 not-for-profit community hospitals and 23,000 non-acute care providers working together to improve their clinical and financial performance. VHA offers comprehensive supply chain management services, world-class health care analytics and an innovative suite of clinical support services. The VHA network includes some of the nation’s largest integrated delivery systems, urban health care providers and small, rural hospitals. VHA, recognized for its citizenship and sustainability practices, is based in Irving, Texas, and has a network of 16 regional offices across the country.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verseSM and AT&T | DIRECTVSM brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T’s Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.