** Brokerage Jefferies says hospital operator HCA Healthcare
HCA.N is likely to be most impacted due to Hurricane Milton
among companies in its coverage
** Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall on Gulf Coast
of Florida late on Wednesday or early on Thursday
** An HCA spokesperson told Reuters it is closing five
hospitals in preparation
** Adds HCA has transferred about 400 patients from
hospitals throughout the state in mandatory evacuation zones
** Jefferies says about half of Tenet Healthcare's THC.N
outpatient surgery centres falls along the hurricane's path, but
sees minimal impact to THC's hospitals
** Other companies that will be impacted include Encompass
Health Corp EHC.N , Surgery Partners SGRY.O , and Enhabit
EHAB.N , brokerage says
** The Category 4 hurricane is potentially one of the most
destructive yet to hit the region, which is recovering from
devastation caused by Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago
(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru)
((Mariam.ESunny@thomsonreuters.com;))