Waukesha, Wisc. GE Healthcare's Global Ultrasound business grew sales to $671MM in the first half of 2006, which represents 15% growth compared to the prior year. This performance builds upon 15% growth and record sales of $1.36B in 2005, and a ten-year trend of double-digit growth for the
business. GE attributes its results in large part to its strategic focus in ultrasound, investment in expanding services and education offerings, and the introduction of innovative, clinically specialized Compact and Volume Ultrasound systems.

"In the past 12 months, we've introduced breakthroughs to expand ultrasound's clinical applications and efficiency in traditional
diagnostic settings, while at the same time bringing truly high-performance, portable ultrasound to point of care in new clinical
settings such as operating rooms and emergency departments," stated Omar Ishrak, president and CEO of GE Healthcare's Clinical Systems business
unit.

"We've reached a milestone in Volume Ultrasound - advancing our acquisition speed, multi-slice imaging and virtual re-scan capabilities to mirror the workflow efficiencies of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR). We've also broken new ground with an entire series of high-performance, portable ultrasound systems to enable complete bedside diagnostics, image-guided interventional and surgical procedures, and real-time patient evaluation in emergency settings."

GE Named the World's #1 Ultrasound Provider
According to a recent industry report issued by Klein Biomedical, a globally recognized source of ultrasound market and trends analysis, GE remained the world's #1 ultrasound provider in 2005. This marks the fourth consecutive year that GE has held the top global ranking in ultrasound.

"GE continues to gain market share in the U.S. and international ultrasound markets," stated Harvey Klein, president of Klein Biomedical. The international market for ultrasound products, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the global market, grew 4% to $2.7 billion in 2005, the report states.

The U.S. ultrasound product market experienced 10% growth overall in 2005 according to Klein, with product sales for Cardiology and OB/GYN leading at 15% and 6% respectively, and modest 1% growth in Radiology. GE realized market share gains in all three segments in 2005, while extending its market leader position in OB/GYN with record performance
from its Voluson product line.

"Compact and Volume Ultrasound are playing critical roles in expanding ultrasound's reach and utility in healthcare delivery," said Ishrak.

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