<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>6
<FILENAME>a2074481zex-23_1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT
<TEXT>
<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 27, 2002 relating to the
financial statements and financial statement schedules of American Country
Holdings Inc. (File Nos. 333-39657 and 333-94737), which appears American
Country Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001.

                                    /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
                                    PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 27, 2002

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>