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    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>As
        filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12,
        2007</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Registration
        No.&#160;&#160;333-__________</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right">
        <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4">
        <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SECURITIES
          AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</strong></font></div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>WASHINGTON,
        D.C.&#160;&#160;20549</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>___________________________________</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>FORM
        S-8</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>REGISTRATION
        STATEMENT</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>UNDER</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>THE
        SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>___________________________________</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>COMMUNITY
        HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Exact
        name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
      <div>
        <div align="left">
          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="20%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Delaware</strong></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(State
                    or other jurisdiction of</font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">incorporation
                    or organization)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="38%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="19%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>13-3893191</strong></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(I.R.S.
                    Employer</font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Identification
                    Number)</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="20%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="38%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>4000
                    Meridian Boulevard</strong></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Franklin,
                    TN 37067</strong></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(Address
                    of principal executive offices)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="19%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Community
        Health Systems, Inc.</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>2000
        Stock Option and Award Plan</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>(As
        Amended and Restated March 30, 2007)</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Full
        title of the plan)</font></div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Rachel
        A. Seifert</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Senior
        Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>4000
        Meridian Boulevard</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Franklin,
        TN 37067</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>(615)
        465-7364</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Name,
        address, and telephone number of agent for service)</font></div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>CALCULATION
        OF REGISTRATION FEE</strong></font></div>
      <div>
        <div align="left">
          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="28%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="28%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Title
                    of Securities</strong></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>to
                    be Registered</strong></font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Amount
                    to be Registered (1)</strong></font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Proposed
                    Maximum Offering Price Per Share (2)</strong></font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%">
                  <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Proposed
                    Maximum Aggregate</strong></font></div>
                  <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Offering
                    Price</strong></font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="16%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Amount
                    of</strong></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Registration
                    Fee</strong></font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="28%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="28%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="16%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="28%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Common
                    Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the &#8220;Common Stock&#8221;)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">5,800,000
                    shares</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">$40.945</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">$237,481,000</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">$7,290.67</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">(1)</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Includes
                  an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued
                  in
                  the event of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions
                  in
                  accordance with Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
                  (the
                  &#8220;Securities Act&#8221;).</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">(2)</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Estimated
                  solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant
                  to
                  Rule 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act based upon the average
                  of the
                  high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported by the
                  New York
                  Stock Exchange on July 6, 2007.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">EXPLANATORY
        NOTE</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">By
        a
        registration statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange
        Commission (the &#8220;SEC&#8221;) on August 31, 2000 (File No. 333-44870), Community Health
        Systems, Inc. (the &#8220;Registrant&#8221;) registered 4,562,791 shares of Common Stock,
        reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options and/or stock appreciation
        rights and/or the grant of other awards under the Registrant&#8217;s 2000 Stock Option
        and Award Plan (the &#8220;Plan&#8221;).&#160;&#160;On August 8, 2003, the Registrant filed
        a registration statement on Form S-8 with the SEC (File No. 333-107810),
        pursuant to which an additional 8,000,000 shares of Common Stock were registered
        and reserved for issuance under the Plan.</font></div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">This
        Form
        S-8 Registration Statement of the Registrant is being filed pursuant to General
        Instruction E to Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register 5,800,000
        additional shares of the Company&#8217;s Common Stock, par value $0.01, issuable upon
        the exercise of options and/or stock appreciation rights and/or the grant
        of
        other awards under the Plan.</font></div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">INCORPORATION
        OF CONTENTS OF</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">REGISTRATION
        STATEMENT BY REFERENCE</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">This
        Registration Statement hereby incorporates by reference the contents of the
        Registrant&#8217;s registration statements on Forms S-8 (File Nos. 333-44870 and
        333-107810) filed with the SEC on August 31, 2000 and August 8, 2003,
        respectively.</font></div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">OTHER
        INFORMATION REQUIRED</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">IN
        THIS
        REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Item&#160;8.&#160;&#160;Exhibits</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>Exhibit&#160;No.</u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<u>Description&#160;of&#160;Exhibit</u></strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
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              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Community
                  Health Systems, Inc. 2000 Stock Option and Award Plan (As Amended
                  and
                  Restated March 30, 2007).</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
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                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &amp; Jacobson LLP as to the validity of
                  the Common Stock covered by this registration
                  statement.</font></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
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        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
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                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &amp; Jacobson LLP (included in Exhibit
                  5.1).</font></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
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                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Consent
                  of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">24.1</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Power
                  of Attorney (included on the signature page included in this registration
                  statement).</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">__________________</font></div>
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        <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">*&#160;&#160;&#160;filed
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      <div>&#160;&#160;</div>
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        <div id="FTR">
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Pursuant
        to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that
        it has
        reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
        on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed
        on its
        behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Franklin,
        State of Tennessee, on July 9, 2007.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
        <div align="left">
          <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="38%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;"><strong>Community
                  Health Systems,
                  Inc. (Registrant)</strong></font></td>
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                <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="38%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="35%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="50%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff solid">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff solid">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">By:
                    </font></div>
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                <td align="left" nowrap valign="top" width="35%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">/s/&#160;Wayne
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              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td align="left" nowrap valign="bottom" width="35%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">Wayne
                  T. Smith</font></td>
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              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">Title:</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="35%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">Chairman
                  of the Board, President
                  and Chief<br>Executive Officer</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
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              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="35%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="12%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">&#160;</font></td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 252pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          </div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>POWER
          OF ATTORNEY</strong></font></div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">KNOW
        ALL
        PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:</font></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">That
        each
        person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wayne T. Smith,
        as
        his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full powers of
        substitution and resubstitution, for him or her in his or her name, place
        and
        stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
        Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments), and any and
        all
        documents in connection therewith, and to file the same, with all exhibits
        thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting
        unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform
        each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about
        the
        premises in order to effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes
        as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies, approves and
        confirms all that his or her said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting
        alone,
        or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done
        by
        virtue hereof.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
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        WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
        as
        of the date indicated.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Pursuant
        to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has
        been
        signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
        indicated.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <div align="left">
          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>Signature</u></font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>Title</u></font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>Date</u></font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>&#160;/s/
                    Wayne T.
                    Smith&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                    &#160;</u>&#160;</font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Wayne
                    T. Smith</font></div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Chairman
                    of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal
                    executive
                    officer)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    9, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>&#160;/s/
                    W. Larry
                    Cash&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                    &#160;</u></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">W.
                    Larry Cash</font></div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                </td>
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                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Executive
                    Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (principal
                    financial
                    officer)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    9, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">_____________________________</font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">T.
                    Mark Buford</font></div>
                </td>
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                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Vice
                    President and Corporate Controller (principal accounting
                    officer)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    ___, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
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                    A. Clerico</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
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                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    ___, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
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                    Dale F.
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                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Dale
                    F. Frey</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
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                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    9, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>&#160;/s/
                    John A.
                    Fry&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</u></font></div>
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                    A. Fry</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Director</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    10, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">_____________________________</font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Harvey
                    Klein, M.D.</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Director</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    ___, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>&#160;/s/
                    Julia B.
                    North&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                    &#160;</u></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Julia
                    B. North</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Director</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    10, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><u>&#160;/s/
                    Mitchell Watson,
                    Jr.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</u></font></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">H.
                    Mitchell Watson, Jr.</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Director</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="27%">
                  <div>&#160;</div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">July
                    10, 2007</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Constituting
        a majority of the Board of Directors of Community Health Systems,
        Inc.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          </div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>INDEX
        TO EXHIBITS</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>Exhibit&#160;No.</u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<u>Description&#160;of&#160;Exhibit</u></strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">4.1*</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Community
                  Health Systems, Inc. 2000 Stock Option and Award Plan (As Amended
                  and
                  Restated March 30, 2007)</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">5.1*</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Opinion
                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &amp; Jacobson LLP as to the validity of
                  the Common Stock&#160;&#160;&#160;covered by this registration
                  statement.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">23.1</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Consent
                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &amp; Jacobson LLP (included in Exhibit
                  5.1).</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">23.2*</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Consent
                  of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">24.1</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Power
                  of Attorney (included on the signature page included in this registration
                  statement).</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>______________</div>
      <div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">*
        filed
        herewith</font><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "dcs8_community.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 62311}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC", "cik": "0001108109", "assigned-sic": "8062", "irs-number": "133893191", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-144525", "film-number": "07977099"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4000 MERIDIAN BOULEVARD", "city": "FRANKLIN", "state": "TN", "zip": "37067", "phone": "615-465-7000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "4000 MERIDIAN BOULEVARD", "city": "FRANKLIN", "state": "TN", "zip": "37067"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC/", "date-changed": "20000229"}}
dcs8_community.htm
As
        filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12,
        2007
Registration
        No.  333-__________
SECURITIES
          AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
        D.C.  20549
___________________________________
FORM
        S-8
REGISTRATION
        STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
        SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
___________________________________
COMMUNITY
        HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact
        name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State
                    or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
                    or organization)
13-3893191
(I.R.S.
                    Employer
Identification
                    Number)
4000
                    Meridian Boulevard
Franklin,
                    TN 37067
(Address
                    of principal executive offices)
Community
        Health Systems, Inc.
2000
        Stock Option and Award Plan
(As
        Amended and Restated March 30, 2007)
(Full
        title of the plan)
Rachel
        A. Seifert
Senior
        Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
4000
        Meridian Boulevard
Franklin,
        TN 37067
(615)
        465-7364
(Name,
        address, and telephone number of agent for service)
CALCULATION
        OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title
                    of Securities
to
                    be Registered
Amount
                    to be Registered (1)
Proposed
                    Maximum Offering Price Per Share (2)
Proposed
                    Maximum Aggregate
Offering
                    Price
Amount
                    of
Registration
                    Fee
Common
                    Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock")
5,800,000
                    shares
$40.945
$237,481,000
$7,290.67
(1)
Includes
                  an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued
                  in
                  the event of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions
                  in
                  accordance with Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
                  (the
                  "Securities Act").
(2)
Estimated
                  solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant
                  to
                  Rule 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act based upon the average
                  of the
                  high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported by the
                  New York
                  Stock Exchange on July 6, 2007.
EXPLANATORY
        NOTE
By
        a
        registration statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange
        Commission (the "SEC") on August 31, 2000 (File No. 333-44870), Community Health
        Systems, Inc. (the "Registrant") registered 4,562,791 shares of Common Stock,
        reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options and/or stock appreciation
        rights and/or the grant of other awards under the Registrant's 2000 Stock Option
        and Award Plan (the "Plan").  On August 8, 2003, the Registrant filed
        a registration statement on Form S-8 with the SEC (File No. 333-107810),
        pursuant to which an additional 8,000,000 shares of Common Stock were registered
        and reserved for issuance under the Plan.
This
        Form
        S-8 Registration Statement of the Registrant is being filed pursuant to General
        Instruction E to Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register 5,800,000
        additional shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01, issuable upon
        the exercise of options and/or stock appreciation rights and/or the grant
        of
        other awards under the Plan.
INCORPORATION
        OF CONTENTS OF
REGISTRATION
        STATEMENT BY REFERENCE
This
        Registration Statement hereby incorporates by reference the contents of the
        Registrant's registration statements on Forms S-8 (File Nos. 333-44870 and
        333-107810) filed with the SEC on August 31, 2000 and August 8, 2003,
        respectively.
OTHER
        INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN
        THIS
        REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8.  Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
4.1*
Community
                  Health Systems, Inc. 2000 Stock Option and Award Plan (As Amended
                  and
                  Restated March 30, 2007).
5.1*
Opinion
                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP as to the validity of
                  the Common Stock covered by this registration
                  statement.
23.1
Consent
                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (included in Exhibit
                  5.1).
23.2*
Consent
                  of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24.1
Power
                  of Attorney (included on the signature page included in this registration
                  statement).
__________________
*   filed
          herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
        to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that
        it has
        reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
        on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed
        on its
        behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Franklin,
        State of Tennessee, on July 9, 2007.
Community
                  Health Systems,
                  Inc. (Registrant)
By:
/s/ Wayne
                  T. Smith
Wayne
                  T. Smith
Title:
Chairman
                  of the Board, President
                  and Chief
Executive Officer
POWER
          OF ATTORNEY
KNOW
        ALL
        PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:
That
        each
        person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wayne T. Smith,
        as
        his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full powers of
        substitution and resubstitution, for him or her in his or her name, place
        and
        stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
        Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments), and any and
        all
        documents in connection therewith, and to file the same, with all exhibits
        thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting
        unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform
        each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about
        the
        premises in order to effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes
        as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies, approves and
        confirms all that his or her said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting
        alone,
        or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done
        by
        virtue hereof.
IN
        WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
        as
        of the date indicated.
Pursuant
        to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has
        been
        signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
        indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
                    Wayne T.
                    Smith
Wayne
                    T. Smith
Chairman
                    of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal
                    executive
                    officer)
July
                    9, 2007
/s/
                    W. Larry
                    Cash
W.
                    Larry Cash
Executive
                    Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (principal
                    financial
                    officer)
July
                    9, 2007
_____________________________
T.
                    Mark Buford
Vice
                    President and Corporate Controller (principal accounting
                    officer)
July
                    ___, 2007
_____________________________
John
                    A. Clerico
Director
July
                    ___, 2007
/s/
                    Dale F.
                    Frey
Dale
                    F. Frey
Director
July
                    9, 2007
/s/
                    John A.
                    Fry
John
                    A. Fry
Director
July
                    10, 2007
_____________________________
Harvey
                    Klein, M.D.
Director
July
                    ___, 2007
/s/
                    Julia B.
                    North
Julia
                    B. North
Director
July
                    10, 2007
/s/
                    Mitchell Watson,
                    Jr.
H.
                    Mitchell Watson, Jr.
Director
July
                    10, 2007
Constituting
        a majority of the Board of Directors of Community Health Systems,
        Inc.
INDEX
        TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
4.1*
Community
                  Health Systems, Inc. 2000 Stock Option and Award Plan (As Amended
                  and
                  Restated March 30, 2007)
5.1*
Opinion
                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP as to the validity of
                  the Common Stock   covered by this registration
                  statement.
23.1
Consent
                  of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (included in Exhibit
                  5.1).
23.2*
Consent
                  of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24.1
Power
                  of Attorney (included on the signature page included in this registration
                  statement).
______________
*
        filed
        herewith