<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.13

                                 LEASE AGREEMENT


         THIS LEASE AGREEMENT ("Lease"), made as of September 7, 2001, by and
between HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2 OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY, STATE OF
LOUISIANA ("Lessor"), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana, whose
address is 1125 Marguerite Street, Morgan City, Louisiana 70381, which operates
Lakewood Medical Center (the "Hospital") and PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P. ("Lessee"), a
Louisiana limited partnership and wholly-owned subsidiary of Province Healthcare
Company (the "Parent"), whose address is 105 Westwood Place, Suite 400,
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Lessor is a hospital service district, created under Louisiana
Revised Statute 46:1051 ET. seq. whose object and purpose is, on behalf of the
citizens of its district, to own and operate a hospital for the care of persons
suffering from illnesses or disabilities which require that patients receive
hospital care; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor is further allowed, by statute, to administer other
activities related to rendering care to the sick and injured or in the promotion
of health which may be justified by the facilities, personnel, funds and other
requirements available; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor is further authorized, by statute, to participate so
far as circumstances may warrant in any activity designed and conducted to
promote the general health of the community; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor is allowed to cooperate with other public and private
institutions and agencies in providing hospital and other health services to
residents of its district; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor owns and operates the Hospital and provides other
ancillary health care services to its residents, all in compliance with its
statutory purpose;

         WHEREAS, Lessor, in fulfilling its public purpose, now desires to
contract with Lessee for the lease of the existing Hospital to facilitate the
continuation of the provision of high quality health services to residents of
its district, and to manage and provide health care services to its residents,
pursuant to certain agreements between Lessor and Lessee providing for the lease
of and provision of special services to the existing facility; and


<PAGE>

         WHEREAS, both Lessor and Lessee now desire to enter into a long-term
Lease Agreement, all as discussed in more detail in that Agreement known as
"Annex A to Lease Agreement", such Agreement being incorporated herein by
reference.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for that mutual consideration more fully recited
herein, both parties agree to the following terms and conditions.

         1. LEASE OF PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT. In consideration of the rents and
covenants herein stipulated to be paid and performed by Lessee and upon the
terms and conditions herein specified, Lessor hereby leases to Lessee, and
Lessee hereby leases from Lessor, the property commonly known as Lakewood
Medical Center, consisting of: (i) the parcel(s) of land located in Morgan City,
St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, as described on SCHEDULE A, PART I attached hereto
and made a part hereof for all purposes (the "Land"); (ii) all buildings,
structures, "Fixtures" (as hereinafter defined) and other improvements of every
kind including, but not limited to, alleyways and connecting tunnels, sidewalks,
utility pipes, conduits and lines (on-site and off-site), parking areas and
roadways appurtenant to such buildings and structures presently situated upon
the Land (collectively, the "Improvements"); (iii) all easements, rights and
appurtenances relating to the Land and the Improvements (collectively, the
"Appurtenant Rights"); (iv) all equipment, machinery, fixtures, and other items
of property, including all components thereof, now and hereafter permanently
affixed to or incorporated into the Improvements, including, without limitation,
all furnaces, boilers, heaters, electrical equipment, heating, plumbing,
lighting, ventilating, refrigerating, incineration, air and water pollution
control, waste disposal, air-cooling and air-conditioning systems and apparatus,
sprinkler systems and fire and theft protection equipment, all of which to the
greatest extent permitted by law, are hereby deemed by the parties hereto to
constitute real estate, together with all replacements, modifications,
alterations and additions thereto, (collectively the "Fixtures"); and (v) all
equipment, furnishings, furniture, trade fixtures and other personal property
(excluding the personal property constituting Assets under Annex A) used in
connection with medical-surgical hospital, urgent care and medical office
building operations and businesses on the Premises, all as more particularly
described on SCHEDULE B (collectively the "Equipment"). The Land, the
Improvements, the Appurtenant Rights and the Fixtures are hereinafter referred
to collectively as the "Premises."

         2. TERM. The Premises and the Equipment are leased for a term of forty
(40) years (the "Term") commencing on the date upon which all conditions
precedent to the Closing of the transactions set forth in Annex A have occurred
(the "Commencement Date") and ending on the fortieth anniversary of the
Commencement Date, unless terminated as hereinafter provided; provided however,
in the event such conditions precedent have not occurred and the transactions
set forth in Annex A have not closed on or before November 30, 2001, this Lease
shall be null and void. "Lease Year" shall mean the period beginning on the
first day of the



                                       2
<PAGE>

term and ending at 12:00 midnight of the day prior to the first anniversary of
the commencement date of the term and each subsequent twelve (12) month period
within the term of this Lease.

         3. AMOUNT AND MANNER OF PAYMENT OF RENT AND ADDITIONAL RENT. On the
Commencement Date, Lessee shall pay to Lessor, as prepayment of rent for the
Term, an estimated Ten Million, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($10,600,000),
which total shall reflect the outstanding bond indebtedness of Lessor on the
Commencement Date to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as more
specifically described on SCHEDULE F, plus Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000)
payable in cash (collectively the "Rent"). In the event that, at anytime during
the term of this Lease, Lessee wrongfully terminates this Lease or defaults
under this Lease and Lessor is permitted and does terminate this Lease as a
result of such default, Lessee shall forfeit any claim it may have to the Rent.
In the event that, at anytime during the first year of the term of this Lease,
Lessor wrongfully terminates this Lease or defaults under this Lease and Lessee
is permitted and does terminate this Lease as a result of such default, Lessor
shall forfeit and immediately repay the full amount of the Rent to Lessee. In
the event that, at anytime after the first year of the term of this Lease,
Lessor wrongfully terminates this Lease or defaults under this Lease and Lessee
is permitted and does terminate this Lease as a result of such default, Lessor
shall forfeit and immediately repay a prorated portion of the Rent to Lessee,
such prorated portion being equal to, during the Term, 480 minus the number of
months (not to exceed 480) which have elapsed from the Commencement Date to the
date of such termination multiplied by the Rent.

         The parties agree that the Rent shall be allocable to and payable in
respect to the Premises and the Assets (Land, Improvements, Appurtenant Rights,
Fixtures and Assets purchased pursuant to Annex A) and the Equipment as set
forth in SCHEDULE C.

         In addition, on or prior to each anniversary of the Commencement Date
during the Term of the Lease, Lessee shall have caused its independent certified
public accountants to prepare an income statement of the Hospital for the prior
twelve months ended September 30 (the "Anniversary Income Statement"). The
Anniversary Income Statement shall be prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. Lessee shall pay as additional rent to Lessor on
or before each anniversary of the Commencement Date during the Term an amount in
cash equal to: (i) $50,000.00 if the net income of the Hospital on the
Anniversary Income Statement is between $50,000.00 and $999,999.99; or (ii)
$100,000.00 if the net income of the Hospital on the Anniversary Income
Statement is $1,000,000.00 or greater (the "Additional Rent"). Lessee shall not
be required to pay Additional Rent in the event that the net income of the
Hospital on the Anniversary Income Statement is less than $50,000.00. Lessee's
obligation to pay Additional Rent shall be offset by: (1) any amount to which
Lessee is entitled for indemnity claims



                                       3
<PAGE>

asserted under Section 7.2 of Annex A; or (2) any management fees owed to Lessee
under the Interim Special Services Agreement by and between Lesser and Lessee,
dated September 7, 2001. In the event that this Lease is terminated by either
party for any reason prior to the end of the Term, Lessee shall not be obligated
and Lessor shall not be entitled to any future payments of Additional Rent.

         4. COVENANTS OF LESSEE AND LESSOR.

         4.1 PAYMENT OF RENT. Lessee shall pay Rent in the manner provided in
Section 3 without notice or demand.

         4.2 OPERATION. Lessee shall operate the Premises, at the minimum, as an
acute care hospital in a manner necessary to maintain accreditation by the Joint
Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations ("JCAHO") or, in the
event the JCAHO no longer accredits hospitals, any other comparable accrediting
organization that offers "deemed status" under the Medicare programs (the
"Permitted Uses") and continue all essential services provided by the Hospital,
as set forth on SCHEDULE 7.6 of Annex A to this Lease. In the event that Lessee
believes that there no longer exists a community need for one or more hospital
services, then it shall have the right to petition the Lessor for the right to
terminate such service and Lessor shall fairly consider any such request. Lessee
shall perform its obligations consistent with the public purpose of Lessor and
shall not perform in any way that threatens such purpose. Lessee further agrees
that it will file all Medicare and/or Medicaid cost reports relating to the
period from and after the Commencement Date in a timely fashion and pay all
adjustments due and owing, notwithstanding its ability to exercise its appeal
rights.

         4.3 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.

                  (a) Lessee, at its own expense, will maintain all parts of the
Improvements in at least as good condition as they now are, except for ordinary
wear, tear, depreciation or obsolescence.

                  (b) All of the Equipment shall be maintained in good operating
condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted. In the event that Lessee
decides for any reason that any item or items of Equipment are no longer
required for its use, Lessee may dispose of the same in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7.2.

         4.4 TAXES AND UTILITIES. Lessee shall pay, prior to delinquency: all
taxes, assessments, levies, fees, water and sewer rents and charges, and all
other governmental charges, general and special, ordinary and extraordinary,
foreseen and unforeseen, which during the term hereof, (i) are imposed or levied
upon or assessed against the Premises and the Equipment, or (ii) arise out of
the operation, possession or use of the Premises. If any such taxes,
assessments, leases, fees, water and sewer rents and charges, and all such other
governmental charges cover



                                       4
<PAGE>

a period extending beyond the Term, Lessee shall be liable only for such charges
accruing during the Term, and upon demand Lessor shall promptly reimburse Lessee
for Lessor's pro rata portion of such charges. Lessee shall not be required to
pay any franchise, estate, inheritance, transfer, income or similar tax of
Lessor unless such tax is imposed, levied or assessed in substitution for any
other tax, assessment, charge or levy which Lessee is required to pay pursuant
to this Section 4.4. Lessee will furnish to Lessor, promptly after demand
therefor, proof of payment of all items referred to above which are payable by
Lessee. If any such assessment may legally be paid in installments, Lessee may
pay such assessment in installments; in such event, Lessee shall be liable only
for installments which accrue during the term hereof, unless Lessee fails to
make an installment and the failure results in the acceleration of future
installments in which event Lessee shall promptly pay the entire installment.

         4.5 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except as hereinafter provided in this
Section 4.5, Lessee shall cause the Premises to be in compliance in all material
respects with all laws, ordinances and regulations, and other governmental
rules, orders and determinations now or hereafter enacted, made or issued,
whether or not presently contemplated (collectively "Legal Requirements"),
applicable to the Premises or the use thereof. In the event that the Premises
are not now in compliance with all Legal Requirements, Lessor shall be
responsible for promptly causing the Premises to become in compliance with all
Legal Requirements, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2 of the
Annex to this Lease.

         4.6 INSURANCE.

                  (a) Lessee, at its sole cost and expense, shall maintain
insurance on the Premises of the following character:

                           (i) Insurance against loss by fire, flood, lightning,
vandalism, malicious mischief and other risks which at the time are included
under "extended coverage" endorsements with respect to the Premises, in an
amount not less than 100% of the actual replacement value of the Improvements,
exclusive of foundations, excavations, parking areas, drive and underground
utilities.

                           (ii) Comprehensive public liability insurance against
claims for bodily injury, death or property damage occurring on, in or about the
Premises and adjoining streets and sidewalks, in the amounts of $5,000,000 for
bodily injury or death in any one occurrence and $2,000,000 for property damage.

                           (iii) Worker's compensation insurance (including
employers' liability insurance, if requested by Lessor) to the extent required
by the law of the state in which the Premises are located and to the extent
necessary to protect Lessor and the Premises against worker's compensation
claims.



                                       5
<PAGE>

                  (b) Lessee will maintain professional liability insurance in
the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the
aggregate, and participate in the Louisiana Patient Compensation Fund as a
"Participating Provider".

                  The insurance referred to in subsections (a) and (b), above
shall be written by companies legally qualified to issue such insurance, and
shall name Lessor and Lessee as insured parties as their interests may appear.
Coverage for the items referred to in subsections (a)(ii), (a)(iii) and (b)
above may be provided through such combination of self insurance and to
"umbrella" policies maintained by Lessee or an Affiliate of Lessee as Lessee
deems advisable. Lessee shall provide copies of certificates of insurance for
such coverage to Lessor on or before the Commencement Date, and shall maintain
current copies of any such certificates with Lessor at all times during the term
of this Lease. Lessee shall notify Lessor of any change or lapse in coverage.
For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "Affiliate of Lessee" shall mean any
person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with, Lessee, (ii) any entity of which Lessee owns ten
percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting securities, or (iii) any entity
of which Lessee is a managing or controlling general partner or joint venturer.
As used in this definition of "Affiliate," the term "control" means possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of an entity whether through ownership of voting
securities, by contract or other written agreement.

         4.7 SURRENDER OF PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT.

         (a) Upon the expiration or termination of this Lease, Lessee shall
surrender the Premises to Lessor in the condition in which the Premises were at
the Commencement Date, except as repaired, rebuilt, restored, altered, added to,
as permitted or required hereby; except for ordinary wear and tear, normal
deterioration and obsolescence, and damage due to causes reasonably beyond
Lessee's control and, if this Lease shall be terminated by Lessee pursuant to
Section 11.1, except any damage resulting from any fire or other casualty.

         (b) Upon the expiration or termination of this Lease, Lessee shall
surrender to Lessor all equipment, furnishings, furniture, trade fixtures and
other personal property used in connection with the medical-surgical, urgent
care and medical office building operations and businesses on the Premises
immediately prior to the expiration of the Lease. All such items shall be
surrendered to Lessor "AS IS" at the expiration of the Lease.

         4.8 USE OF PREMISES. During the term of this Lease, Lessee shall use
and occupy the Premises for operation of a medical surgical hospital or other
health care facility or facilities and the provision of such ancillary services
and related,



                                       6
<PAGE>

incidental uses as are appropriate or desirable in conjunction with the
operation of such health care facilities and for no other purpose.

         4.9 WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. Lessor and Lessee on behalf of themselves
and all others claiming under them, including any insurer, waive all claims
against each other, including all rights of subrogation, for loss or damage to
their respective property (including, but not limited to, the Premises) arising
from fire, smoke damage, windstorm, hail, vandalism, theft, malicious mischief
and any of the other perils normally insured against in an "all risk" or
physical loss policy, regardless of whether insurance against those perils is in
effect with respect to such party's property. If either party so requests, the
other party shall obtain from its insurer a written waiver of all rights of
subrogation that it may have against the other party.

         5. TITLE AND CONDITION OF PREMISES.

         5.1 TITLE TO PREMISES. Lessor covenants, represents and warrants that
Lessor has full right and lawful authority to enter into this Lease for the term
hereof, is lawfully seized of the Premises and has good and marketable fee
simple title thereto, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except those
listed on SCHEDULE A, PART II (the "Permitted Encumbrances").

         5.2 CONDITION OF THE PREMISES. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE D, the
Premises are in conformity in all material respects with all JCAHO accreditation
standards, the Equipment is in good operating condition and repair, ordinary
wear and tear excepted, there are no material deferred maintenance items and
none of the Equipment nor any of the buildings, structures, fixtures or
improvements which are part of the Premises are in need of any maintenance,
repair or replacement, except for ordinary routine periodic maintenance of the
kind usually required from time to time at similar facilities.

         5.3 QUIET ENJOYMENT; NO ALIENATION OF THE PREMISES. So long as no Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lessee shall peaceably and quietly
have, hold, occupy and enjoy the Premises and the Equipment and all the
appurtenances thereto, without hindrance or interruption from Lessor or any
other persons and other entities whatsoever, subject only to Permitted
Encumbrances as set forth in Annex A. During the term of this Lease, Lessor
shall not transfer, assign, convey or otherwise alienate the Premises or any
interest therein to any person or entity except Lessee.

         6. INDEMNIFICATION. Lessee shall indemnify and hold Lessor harmless
against any and all claims, liabilities, damages or losses resulting from injury
or death of any person or damage to any property occurring on or about the
Premises or in any manner in conjunction with the use or occupancy of the
Premises in whole or in part, unless the death, injury or damage was sustained
as a result of any willful or negligent acts or omissions of Lessor, or Lessor's
agents or employees.



                                       7
<PAGE>

         7. ALTERATIONS, ADDITIONS AND REMOVAL.

         7.1 ALTERATIONS, ADDITIONS AND REMOVAL. In furtherance of Lessor's
public purpose to provide and expand healthcare services to its residents,
Lessor empowers Lessee to make additions to and alterations of the Improvements,
and construct additional Improvements, at its expense and in its sole
discretion, provided that (i) the market value of the Premises shall not be
materially lessened thereby; (ii) such work shall be completed in a good and
workmanlike manner, subject to Lessor's supervision, and in compliance with all
applicable Legal Requirements and the requirements of all insurance policies
required to be maintained by Lessee hereunder; and (iii) no material part of the
Improvements shall be demolished unless the same are replaced by other
improvements which are required by Lessee in connection with its intended use of
the Premises. All such additions and alterations shall be and remain part of the
realty and become the property of Lessor, free and clear of any liens or adverse
claims, at the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease. Lessee may place
upon the Premises any trade fixtures, machinery, equipment, materials,
inventory, furniture and/or other personal property, whether or not the same
shall be affixed to the Premises used in Lessee's Business, which such personal
property shall be surrendered to Lessor at the end of the Term of this Lease.

         7.2 DISPOSAL OF EQUIPMENT. If Lessee determines that any item of
Equipment is obsolete or no longer suitable for Lessee's use in connection with
providing healthcare services to residents of Lessor, at the Premises, Lessee
may sell, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of such item in such manner
as Lessee may deem appropriate so long as: (i) Lessee does so in compliance with
both state and local law; and (ii) Lessee replaces such item to the extent that
it is required for continuance of essential services provided by the Hospital or
Lessor consents to the disposal of the item without replacement. If requested by
Lessee, Lessor shall deliver to Lessee or to Lessee's designee a bill of sale,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lessee, duly executed and
acknowledged by Lessor, which shall be sufficient to convey and transfer to
Lessee or its designee all of Lessor's right, title and interest in and to the
item, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances whatsoever other than
Permitted Encumbrances as set forth in Annex A. Lessee may retain as its sole
and absolute property the proceeds, whether in cash or in exchange property or
otherwise, of any sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any such
item.

         8. LESSEE'S RIGHT TO MORTGAGE ITS LEASEHOLD INTEREST.

         8.1 LESSEE'S RIGHT TO ENCUMBER AND MORTGAGE THIS LEASEHOLD. To the
extent permitted by law, any time during the term of this Lease, Lessee may
mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber Lessee's leasehold estate under this
Lease in respect to both the Premises and Equipment to secure indebtedness of
Lessee under one or more leasehold mortgages and may assign this Lease as




                                       8
<PAGE>

security for such mortgage or mortgages, but in no event shall any such mortgage
affect Lessor's interest in the Premises; provided, however, that to the extent
reasonably requested, Lessor shall consent to such mortgage and in the event of
the foreclosure of such mortgage Lessor agrees to recognize such mortgagee
and/or the party acquiring through it as the lessee under this lease.

         8.2 EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY LEASEHOLD MORTGAGES. Lessor
shall execute and deliver such documents as may reasonably be requested from
time to time by any leasehold mortgagee for the purpose of allowing such
leasehold mortgagee reasonable means to protect or preserve its lien upon
Lessee's leasehold interest under this Lease on the occurrence of a default
under the terms of this Lease, including a reasonable landlord agreement;
provided, however, that any such documents shall not in any way affect SECTIONS
2, 3 OR 4.7 of this Lease, or without the prior written approval of Lessor,
which will not be unreasonably withheld, modify any other provision of this
Lease in a manner which materially adversely affects Lessor's interest in the
Premises.

         9. ASSIGNMENTS AND SUBLEASES.

         9.1. NO ASSIGNMENTS OR SUBLEASES. Except as permitted pursuant to
Section 9.2 below, Lessee shall not assign or sublet this Lease, in whole or in
part, without the prior written consent of Lessor; provided, however, that
Lessor may withhold such consent only in the event that Lessor is not reasonably
satisfied that the assignee possesses the necessary experience and qualification
in the management and operation of hospitals.

         9.2 MAJOR TRANSACTION AND RELATED PARTY ASSIGNMENT. Notwithstanding
Section 9.1 above, Lessee (a) shall have the right to assign this Lease, in
whole or in part, without Lessor's consent, in the event such assignment is part
of or related to a transaction in which the entity ultimately controlling
Lessee, Province Healthcare Company ("Province"), a Delaware corporation, sells
all or substantially all of its assets or engages in a merger or consolidation
in which Province will not be the surviving entity or is undergoing a change of
control as a result of such sale of assets, merger or consolidation; (b) may,
without the prior written consent of Lessor, assign its rights and delegate its
duties hereunder to one or more entities controlled by, under common control
with or that control the Lessee, provided that Province shall not be released
from any of the obligations imposed on it under its guarantee of this Lease; and
(c) shall have the right to sublet one or more portions of the Premises without
Lessor's consent as long as all such portions so subleased do not in the
aggregate constitute all or substantially all of the Premises.

         10. PERMITTED CONTESTS. Notwithstanding any provision of this Lease to
the contrary, Lessee shall not be required, nor shall Lessor have the right, to
pay, discharge or remove any tax, assessment, levy, fee, rent (except Rent,
Additional



                                       9
<PAGE>

Rent and any other sums due hereunder payable to or for the benefit of Lessor),
charge, lien or encumbrance, or to comply with any Legal Requirement applicable
to the Premises or the use thereof, as long as Lessee shall contest the
existence, amount or validity thereof by appropriate proceedings which shall
prevent the collection of or other realization upon the tax, assessment, levy,
fee, rent, charge, lien or encumbrance so contested, and which also shall
prevent the sale, forfeiture or loss of the Premises or any Rent or Additional
Rent, or to satisfy the same or Legal Requirements, and which shall not affect
the payment of any Rent or Additional Rent, provided that such contest shall not
subject Lessor to the risk of any criminal liability or any material civil
liability. Lessee shall give such reasonable security as may be demanded by
Lessor, or any mortgagee, to insure ultimate payment of such tax, assessment,
levy, fee, rent, charge, lien, or encumbrance and compliance with Legal
Requirements and to prevent any sale or forfeiture of the Premises, any Rent,
any Additional Rent or any other sum required to be paid by Lessee hereunder.

         11. CASUALTY AND CONDEMNATION.

         11.1 CASUALTY.

                  (a) Except as hereinafter provided, if any of the Improvements
shall be damaged or destroyed by fire or any other casualty covered by a
standard policy of fire and extended coverage insurance, as required pursuant to
Section 4.5 hereof, Lessee shall thereafter commence and diligently prosecute to
completion, at Lessee's sole expense, the repair or rebuilding of the
Improvements or portion thereof which was damaged, in a good and workmanlike
manner, in accordance with plans and specifications satisfactory to Lessee and
Lessor, which Lessor shall not unreasonably disapprove, provided that the
Improvements upon completion of such repair or rebuilding shall have a value
which is not substantially less than the value of the Improvements immediately
prior to the damage or destruction. All proceeds remaining after payment of the
costs of collection and recovery, if any ("Net Proceeds") shall be paid over to
Lessee to fund the costs of repair and rebuilding and for no other purpose. The
Lessee is obligated to make all necessary repairs regardless of availability or
sufficiency of insurance proceeds.

                  (b) In the event that either (i) the damage or destruction
with respect to any building ("Building") which is a part of the Improvements is
so extensive that it cannot be rebuilt, restored or repaired as required in
Section 11.1(a) within one hundred twenty (120) days after such occurrence, as
determined by Lessee in its reasonable judgment or (ii) any such damage or
destruction occurs during the last two years of the term of this Lease, then
Lessee shall have the right to terminate this Lease with respect to the damaged
or destroyed Building, but no other part of the Premises, by giving written
notice thereof to Lessor within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such
damage or destruction and such termination will be effective retroactively as of
the date of such damage or destruction; provided



                                       10
<PAGE>

that, if the Building which suffered such damage or destruction is the Hospital
then Lessee shall have the right to terminate this Lease by giving written
notice thereof to Lessor within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such
damage or destruction and such termination will be effective retroactively as of
the date of such damage or destruction. In addition, if any Building is
materially damaged or destroyed by any casualty not covered by the standard
policy of fire and extended coverage insurance, then Lessee may terminate this
Lease effective as of the date of such damage or destruction by giving Lessor
written notice thereof within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such
damage or destruction.

                  (c) If Lessee exercises its option to terminate this Lease in
part on account of damage or destruction to a Building, the parties shall
promptly thereafter execute an amendment to this Lease which shall provide that
such Building will be excised from the Premises, and that Rent will be
proportionately and equitably reduced and rebated to the Lessee. In addition, in
the event Lessee determines to terminate this Lease in its entirety it shall be
entitled to a rebate of that portion of the Rent equal to the product of (a) the
Rent and (b) the quotient of (i) the number of months remaining in the Term and
(ii) 480 (the "Rebate Formula").

                  (d) In the event of a termination of this Lease, either in
whole or in part, pursuant to Section 11.1(b), the Net Proceeds of insurance
shall be paid over to Lessee, except that Lessor shall be entitled to receive
such portion of such proceeds which represents the value of Lessor's
reversionary interest in the Premises; provided, however, in the event of a
casualty described under Section 11.1(b) that occurs within the first 10 years
of the Term which would otherwise permit Lessee to terminate the Lease and;
provided further, the Net Proceeds are sufficient to rebuild the Buildings or
Improvements in the manner described herein; then, Lessee shall not be entitled
to terminate this Lease but shall be obligated to rebuild such Buildings or
Improvements in a good and workmanlike manner, in accordance with plans and
specifications satisfactory to Lessee and Lessor, which Lessor shall not
unreasonably disapprove, provided that the Buildings or Improvements upon
completion of such repair or rebuilding shall have a value which is not
substantially less than the value of the Buildings or Improvements immediately
prior to the damage or destruction.

         11.2 CONDEMNATION.

                  (a) If (i) the Premises are taken by an entity with the power
of eminent domain ("Condemning Authority") or if the Premises are conveyed to a
Condemning Authority by a negotiated sale, or if part of the Premises is so
taken or conveyed such that any of the Improvements cannot be rebuilt so that
upon completion Lessee may again use the Premises without substantial
interference, or (ii) due to any such taking or conveyances, access to the
Premises or any part thereof by motor vehicles and trucks as operated by Lessee,
its contractors,



                                       11
<PAGE>

employees, patients and invitees in the course of Lessee's business as
theretofore conducted, is substantially impaired or terminated; then in any such
event, Lessee may terminate this Lease by giving Lessor written notice any time
after the occurrence of any of the foregoing and such termination shall be
effective sixty (60) days from the date possession is taken by the Condemning
Authority. In the event of such termination, Lessee shall be entitled to a
rebate of the Rent equal to that determined pursuant to the Rebate Formula.

                  (b) If part of the Premises or any Building or a substantial
part thereof is so taken or conveyed without substantially interfering with the
use of the Premises as a whole, but only one or more of the Buildings thereon,
this Lease shall not terminate, except to the extent hereinafter provided. In
such event, however, (i) Lessee shall have the option to terminate this Lease in
respect to any Building which is subject to such taking or conveyance by
notifying within sixty (60) days after the title is transferred to the
Condemning Authority, and Lessor shall be entitled to all awards and payments
made or to be made by the Condemning Authority, and (ii) if Lessee exercises
such termination option, Lessor shall apply such portions of any award or
payment made to Lessor for such taking or conveyance as is necessary to pay the
cost of restoring the Building and/or the Premises to a complete architectural
unit, including restoration of leasehold improvements previously made by Lessee,
suitable for Lessee's use and business on the Premises; provided, however, that
Lessor shall be obligated to restore the Building and/or the Premises only to
the extent that it receives any awards or payments from the Condemning
Authority. If Lessee does not exercise its option to terminate this Lease in
part on account of a taking or conveyance of a Building or any substantial part
thereof as provided in clause (b) (i) above, the parties shall promptly
thereafter execute an amendment to this Lease which shall provide that the
Building will be excised from the Premises, and that Rent will be
proportionately and equitably reduced and rebated to the Lessee.

                  (c) Except as provided below and in Section 11.2(b), all
payments made for any such taking or conveyance shall be the property of Lessor;
provided, however, Lessee shall be entitled to receive a portion of any such
award or payment equal to the unamortized balance of the trade fixtures,
equipment and other personal property that have been placed on or within the
Premises by Lessee since the Commencement Date or any leasehold improvements
made by Lessee since the Commencement Date, all of which shall be paid to
Lessee.

                  (d) If this Lease is terminated pursuant to this Section 11,
Lessor and Lessee shall be released and discharged from all liabilities arising
or accruing under this Lease subsequent to the effective date of termination.



                                       12
<PAGE>

         12. RIGHT OF ENTRY.

         Upon not less than twenty-four (24) hours prior written notice to
Lessee, Lessor and its agents and designees may enter upon and examine the
Premises at reasonable times for the purpose of determining the condition of the
Premises, and may show the Premises to prospective purchasers, mortgagees or
lessees as long as such examination or showing shall not unreasonably interfere
with the business operations of Lessee on the Premises.

         13. DEFAULT; NOTICE AND CURE; REMEDIES. The following events ("Events
of Default") shall be deemed to be events of default by Lessee under this Lease:

                  (a) if Lessee shall default in the payment of Rent, Additional
Rent or any other sums payable by Lessee hereunder, and such default shall
continue for a period of fifteen (15) days after Lessee receives written notice
thereof from Lessor, provided, however, if Lessee should fail to pay Additional
Rent or other sums when due on more than three (3) occasions during any calendar
year during the Term, no grace period shall be available and no notice required
with respect to such Additional Rent or other sums.

                  (b) if Lessee shall default in the performance of any other
covenants or agreements hereunder and such default shall continue for sixty (60)
days after written notice thereof, or, if the default is of such a nature that
it could not reasonably be cured within such sixty (60) day period and Lessee
does not, within said sixty (60) day period commence to cure it and thereafter
proceed, with due diligence, to cure it;

                  (c) if Lessee shall fail to cause the Premises to be in
conformity with the Legal Requirements and all other contracts, agreements,
covenants, conditions and restrictions applicable to the ownership, occupancy or
use of the Premises, as set forth in Section 4.4 hereof, and such failure shall
continue for sixty (60) days after written notice thereof, or if the failure is
of such a nature that it could not reasonably be cured within such sixty (60)
day period and Lessee does not, within such sixty (60) day period commence to
cure it and thereafter proceed, with due diligence, to cure it;

                  (d) if a decree or order by a court of competent jurisdiction
shall have been entered adjudging Lessee a bankrupt or insolvent or appointing a
receiver or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of all or
substantially all of its property, and any such decree or order shall have
continued in force undischarged or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days;

                  (e) if either Lessee or Parent ceases doing business as a
going concern;



                                       13
<PAGE>

                  (f) if Lessee ceases to operate the Hospital for the Permitted
Uses, and such failure to operate the Hospital for the Permitted Uses shall
continue for sixty (60) days after notice thereof, or if the failure is of such
a nature that it could not reasonably be cured within such sixty (60) day period
commence to cure it and thereafter proceed with due diligence, to cure it;

                  (g) if Lessee abandons or vacates the Premises during the
Term; or

                  (h) if Lessee loses or forfeits its license to operate the
Hospital as an acute care hospital, or loses, if eligible thereof, its Medicare
or Medicaid certification; provided, however, that Lessee may take such action
as it may deem reasonable necessary to seek reinstatement or recertification,
including commencement of any such administrative and/or judicial proceedings,
and Lessee will have a period to cure such default until such time as all of the
administrative and/or judicial remedies have been exhausted and such proceedings
have resulted in final judicial determination that is adverse to Lessee's
operation of the Hospital for the Permitted Uses.

                  Upon the occurrence of any such Event of Default, Lessor shall
have in addition to any and all other legal remedies and rights, the right to
perform such covenant or agreement and to the extent sums are expended in
connection therewith, and add such sums to the Rent or Additional Rent due from
Lessee to Lessor. In the event of an occurrence of an Event of Default or
otherwise, Lessor shall have no right to terminate this Lease or retake
possession of the Premises by eviction, re-entry or otherwise, except for an
Event of Default under SECTIONS 13.1(E), (F) OR (G) hereof, wherein Lessor
expressly reserves the right to terminate this Lease or otherwise repossess the
Premises. The receipt of rent after condition broken shall not be deemed a
waiver of Lessor's remedies contained herein.

         13.2 COSTS AND EXPENSES. If Lessee should fail to make any payment or
cure any default hereunder within the time herein permitted, Lessor, without
being under any obligation to do so and without thereby waiving such default,
may make such payment and/or remedy such other default for the account of
Lessee, and thereupon Lessee shall be obligated to, and hereby agrees, to pay
Lessor, upon demand, all costs, expenses and disbursements (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred by Lessor in taking such remedial action.

         14. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

         14.1 WARRANTY OF LESSOR. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE E, Lessor
represents and warrants to Lessee that as of the date hereof no "Hazardous
Substances" (as hereafter defined) or any other toxic material or medical waste
are known to be present on or in the Improvements or Land, except for Hazardous
Substances or other toxic materials or medical waste brought, kept or used in
the Premises in commercial quantities similar to those quantities usually kept
on



                                       14
<PAGE>

similar premises by others in the same business or profession or who operate
medical facilities similar to those located in and on the Premises, and which
are used and kept in compliance with applicable public health, safety and
environmental laws; and Lessor shall indemnify Lessee against any and all
claims, demands, liabilities, losses and expenses, including consultant fees,
court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of any breach of the
foregoing warranty.

         14.2 COVENANT OF LESSEE. Except for Hazardous Substances or other toxic
materials or medical waste brought, kept or used in the Premises in commercial
quantities similar to those quantities usually kept on similar premises by
others in the same business, medical specialty or profession or who operate
medical facilities similar to those located in and on the Premises, and which
are used and kept in compliance with applicable public health, safety and
environmental laws, Lessee shall not allow any Hazardous Substance, or other
toxic material or medical waste to be located in, on or under the Premises or
allow the Premises to be used for the disposal of any Hazardous Substance or
other toxic material and Lessee shall indemnify Lessor against any and all
claims, demands, liabilities, losses and expenses, including consultant fees,
court costs and reasonable attorneys fees, arising out of any breach of the
foregoing warranty.

         14.3 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Lessee shall at all times comply in all
material respects with all Legal Requirements applicable to the Premises or the
use thereof relating to industrial hygiene, the handling, storage and disposal
of medical waste, environmental protection, or the use, analysis, generation,
manufacture, storage, disposal or transportation of any Hazardous Substance,
toxic material or medical waste.

         14.4 REMEDIATION. If Lessee becomes aware of the presence of any
Hazardous Substance in or on the Premises (except for those Hazardous Substances
or other toxic material or medical waste brought, kept or used in the Premises
by Lessee in commercial quantities similar to those quantities usually kept on
similar premises by others in the same business, profession or medical specialty
and which are used and kept in compliance with applicable public health, safety
and environmental laws) or if Lessee, or the Premises become subject to any
order of any federal, state or local agency to repair, close, detoxify,
decontaminate or otherwise cleanup the Premises, Lessee shall, at its own cost
and expense, carry out and complete any repair, closure, detoxification,
decontamination or other cleanup of the Premises; provided that Lessee shall not
be responsible for any of the foregoing relating to any Hazardous Substance, or
other toxic materials or medical waste located on, in or under the Premises on
the date of this Lease, all of which shall be the responsibility of Lessor, and
Lessor shall diligently execute and complete any required repair, closure,
detoxification, decontamination or other clean-up of the Premises. If Lessee
fails to implement and diligently pursue any such repair, closure,
detoxification, decontamination other cleanup of the Premises which it is
required to do hereunder, the other party Lessor shall have the right, but not
the



                                       15
<PAGE>

obligation, to carry out such action and to recover all of the costs, expenses,
penalties and fines from the other.

         14.5 DEFINITION. "Hazardous Substances" as such term is used in this
Lease means any hazardous or toxic substance, material or waste, regulated or
listed pursuant to any federal, state or local environmental law, including
without limitation, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances
Control Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability
Act, the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act, the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, Rodenticide Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Occupational
Safety and Health Act.

         15. NOTICES, DEMANDS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS. All notices, offers,
consents and other instruments given pursuant to this Lease shall be in writing
and shall be validly given when personally delivered or when placed in the
United States mail, registered or certified with return receipt requested, when
sent by prepaid telegram or facsimile followed by a confirmatory letter actually
delivered or when sent by a courier or express service guaranteeing overnight
delivery, (i) if to Lessor, addressed to it at its address set forth above
and/or sent via facsimile to (504) 380-4546, (ii) if to Lessee, addressed to
Lessee at its address set forth above and/or sent via facsimile to (615)
370-2965. Lessor and Lessee each may from time to time specify, by giving
fifteen (15) days notice to each other party, (i) any other address in the
United States as its address for purposes of this Lease and (ii) any other
person or entity that is to receive copies of notices, offers, consents and
other instruments hereunder.

         16. SEVERABILITY; BINDING EFFECT. Each provision hereof shall be
separate and independent and, the breach of any such provision by Lessor shall
not discharge or relieve Lessee from its obligations to perform each and every
covenant to be performed by Lessee hereunder. If any provision hereof or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance shall to any extent be invalid
or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such
provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid
or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision hereof shall
be valid and shall be enforceable to the extent permitted by law. All provisions
contained in this Lease shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the respective successors and assigns of Lessor and Lessee to
the same extent as if each such successor and assign were named as a party
hereto. This Lease may not be changed, modified or discharged except by a
writing signed by Lessor and Lessee. Any such change, modification or discharge
made otherwise than as expressly permitted by this paragraph shall be void. This
Lease shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
State of Louisiana.

         17. HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents and the
headings of the various Sections and Schedules of this Lease have been inserted
for



                                       16
<PAGE>

reference only and shall not to any extent have the effect of modifying,
amending or changing the expressed terms and provisions of this Lease.

         18. COUNTERPARTS. This Lease may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         19. MEMORANDUM OF LEASE. Upon request of either party hereto, the
parties shall execute and deliver to each other duplicate originals of a
Memorandum of this Lease, in recordable form, containing the information
required by law for recording the same.

         20. ASSIGNMENT OF EXISTING LEASES. Lessor hereby assigns to Lessee all
of its right, title and interest as lessor under those certain leases affecting
the Premises which are existing and in effect as of the date of execution of
this Lease listed on SCHEDULE 3.6(C) of Annex A (hereinafter the "Existing
Leases"), and Lessee hereby agrees to assume all Lessor's obligations, covenants
and agreements as lessor under the Existing Leases. Lessee shall be entitled to
collect and receive all such rents and other sums from the lessees under the
Existing Leases accruing on and after the Commencement Date, and Lessee and
Lessor agree that the Existing Leases shall upon this assignment become
subleases subject and subordinate to this Lease. Lessor shall transfer to Lessee
any payments of rent and other sums from the Existing Leases, delivered
subsequent to the assignment of the Existing Leases, no later than three
business days from the date Lessor receives such payments and sums. Lessee shall
notify each of the lessees under the Existing Leases of this assignment.

         21. NO PARTNERSHIP. The parties hereto intend the relationship created
by this Lease to be that of lessor and lessee and do not intend for the
arrangement between them to be a partnership.

         22. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REGULATION. Until the
expiration of four years after the expiration or earlier termination of the Term
of this Lease, Lessee will make available to the Secretary, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Comptroller General, and their
representatives, this Lease and all books, documents, and records necessary to
certify the nature and extent of Lessor's costs with respect to this Lease and
the Premises. If Lessor carries out any of its duties under this Lease through a
subcontract worth $10,000 or more over a 12-month period with a related
organization, the subcontract will also contain an access clause to permit
access by the Secretary, Comptroller General, and their representatives to the
related organization's books and records.

         23. ANNEX AND SCHEDULES. Annex A, and Schedules A, B, C, D, E and F
referred to in this Lease are hereby incorporated by reference herein.



                                       17
<PAGE>

         24. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All statements by the Lessor hereto
or in the schedules, documents, instruments, or exhibits to the Lessee delivered
pursuant hereto shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Lessor
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Lessee. Furthermore, the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the Lessor herein
shall survive until eighteen (18) months after the Closing, except those
relating to Title and Environmental Matters set forth in Section 5 and Section
14, respectively, which shall survive the applicable statute of limitations, or
if no such period is applicable, indefinitely.




                                       18
<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement as
of the date and year first written above.



WITNESSES:                                  LESSOR:

/s/ Christine Craft                         HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2 OF
----------------------------------------    THE PARISH OF ST. MARY, STATE OF
                                            LOUISIANA

/s/ Kathy Teague
----------------------------------------

                                            By: /s/ James B. Broussard
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Name:  James B. Broussard
                                                   -----------------------------
                                            Title: Chairman
                                                   -----------------------------


                                            LESSEE:

                                            PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P.

                                            By: PHC-Lakewood, Inc., its general
                                            partner

/s/ Christine Craft
----------------------------------------


/s/ Kathy Teague
----------------------------------------

                                            By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                                   -----------------------------
                                            Title: Senior Vice President
                                                   -----------------------------





                                       19
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE A

                                    (PART 1)

                                LEGAL DESCRIPTION



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE A

                                    (PART II)

                             PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE B

                                    EQUIPMENT



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE C

                                 RENT ALLOCATION



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE D

                              CONDITION OF PREMISES



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE E

                              ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE F

                                BOND INDEBTEDNESS



<PAGE>



                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                                 LEASE AGREEMENT


                  THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (this "Amendment"), is made and entered
into as of the 26th day of November 2001, for the purpose of amending the Lease
Agreement by and between HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2 OF THE PARISH OF ST.
MARY, STATE OF LOUISIANA ("Lessor"), a political subdivision of the State of
Louisiana, which operates Lakewood Medical Center (the "Hospital"), and
PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P. ("Lessee"), a Louisiana limited partnership and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Province Healthcare Company (the "Parent"), dated as
of September 7, 2001 ("Lease"). Unless defined herein, capitalized terms used in
the document shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Lease.

                                   WITNESSETH

         WHEREAS, Lessor is a hospital service district, created under Louisiana
Revised Statute 46:1051 ET. seq. whose object and purpose is, on behalf of the
citizens of its district, to own and operate a hospital for the care of persons
suffering from illnesses or disabilities which require that patients receive
hospital care; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor is further allowed, by statute, to administer other
activities related to rendering care to the sick and injured or in the promotion
of health which may be justified by the facilities, personnel, funds and other
requirements available; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor is further authorized, by statute, to participate so
far as circumstances may warrant in any activity designed and conducted to
promote the general health of the community; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor is allowed to cooperate with other public and private
institutions and agencies in providing hospital and other health services to
residents of its district; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor owns and operates the Hospital and provides other
ancillary health care services to its residents, all in compliance with its
statutory purpose;

         WHEREAS, Lessor, in fulfilling its public purpose, entered into the
Lease with Lessee for the lease of the existing Hospital to facilitate the
continuation of the provision of high quality health services to residents of
its district, and to manage and provide health care services to its residents,
pursuant to certain agreements between Lessor and Lessee providing for the lease
of and provision of special services to the existing facility; and


<PAGE>

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Lease, the Lease shall be
considered null and void in the event that the conditions precedent to the
Closing of the transactions set forth in Annex A have not occurred and the
transactions set forth in Annex A have not closed on or before November 30,
2001; and

         WHEREAS, Lessor and Lessee desire to amend the aforementioned provision
in the Lease to reflect that the date by which the conditions precedent to the
Closing shall have occurred and the transactions set forth in Annex A must have
closed should be extended to December 31, 2001.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

         1. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2. Section 2 shall be amended with additions
indicated by underlined text and deletions indicated by strikethrough text as
follows:

                  2. TERM. The Premises and the Equipment are leased for a term
         of forty (40) years (the "Term") commencing on the date upon which all
         conditions precedent to the Closing of the transactions set forth in
         Annex A have occurred (the "Commencement Date") and ending on the
         fortieth anniversary of the Commencement Date, unless terminated as
         hereinafter provided; provided however, in the event such conditions
         precedent have not occurred and the transactions set forth in Annex A
         have not closed on or before November 30, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2001, this
         Lease shall be null and void. "Lease Year" shall mean the period
         beginning on the first day of the term and ending at 12:00 midnight of
         the day prior to the first anniversary of the commencement date of the
         term and each subsequent twelve (12) month period within the term of
         this Lease.



                                       2
<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement as
of the date and year first written above.


WITNESSES:                                  LESSOR:

/s/ Christine Craft                         HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2 OF
----------------------------------------    THE PARISH OF ST. MARY, STATE OF
                                            LOUISIANA
/s/ Kathy Teague
----------------------------------------
                                            By: /s/ James B. Broussard
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Name:  James B. Broussard
                                                   -----------------------------
                                            Title: Chairman
                                                   -----------------------------


                                            LESSEE:

                                            PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P.

                                            By: PHC-Lakewood, Inc.,
                                            its general partner


/s/ Christine Craft
----------------------------------------

/s/ Kathy Teague
----------------------------------------


                                            By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                                   -----------------------------
                                            Title: Senior Vice President
                                                   -----------------------------




                                       3
<PAGE>

                           ANNEX A TO LEASE AGREEMENT

                  THIS ANNEX A TO LEASE AGREEMENT ("Annex A"), dated as of
September 7, 2001, among HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2 OF THE PARISH OF ST.
MARY, STATE OF LOUISIANA ("Lessor"), a political subdivision of the State of
Louisiana, whose address is 1125 Marguerite Street, Morgan City, Louisiana
70381, PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, whose address is 105
Westwood Place, Suite 400, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 ("Guarantor") and
PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P. ("Lessee"), a Louisiana limited partnership and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Guarantor, whose address is 105 Westwood Place, Suite
400, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027. Capitalized terms used in this Annex A shall
have the same meanings as in the Lease unless otherwise defined herein.

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, Lessor is a hospital service district, created under
Louisiana Revised Statute 46:1051 ET. SEQ. whose object and purpose is, on
behalf of the citizens of its district to provide for the operation of a
hospital for the care of persons suffering from illnesses or disabilities which
require that patients receive hospital care; and

                  WHEREAS, Lessor is further allowed, by statute, to administer
other activities related to rendering care to the sick and injured or in the
promotion of health which may be justified by the facilities, personnel, funds
and other requirements available; and

                  WHEREAS, Lessor is further authorized, by statute, to
participate so far as circumstances may warrant in any activity designed and
conducted to promote the general health of the community; and

                  WHEREAS, Lessor is allowed to cooperate with other public and
private institutions and agencies in providing hospital and other health
services to residents of its district; and

                  WHEREAS, Lessor currently owns and operates a 168-bed general
acute care hospital known as "Lakewood Medical Center" (the "Hospital") and
provides other ancillary health care services to the residents of its district,
all in compliance with its statutory purpose; and

                  WHEREAS, Lessor, in fulfilling its public purpose, now desires
to lease the existing Hospital to Lessee to facilitate the continuation of the
provision of high quality health services to residents of its district, and to
manage and provide health




                                       4
<PAGE>

care services to its residents, pursuant to certain agreements between Lessor
and Lessee providing for the lease of and provision of special services to the
existing facility; and

                  WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Lessor after due
consideration is of the opinion that the lease of the Hospital and the sale of
certain of the working capital assets and other assets used in the operation of
the Hospital to Lessee is in the community's best interest; and

                  WHEREAS, the parties hereto have contemporaneously herewith
entered into the Lease to which this Annex A is attached; and

                  WHEREAS, this Annex A provides for the sale by Lessor of
certain of the assets, tangible and intangible, used in the operation of the
business conducted through the Hospital (the "Business"), as scheduled herein.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing
premises and the agreements, covenants, representations and warranties
hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of all of which are acknowledged and agreed, the parties hereto agree
as follows:

                  1. SALE OF ASSETS AND CERTAIN RELATED MATTERS.

                           1.1 SALE OF ASSETS. At the Closing (as defined in
Section 2.1), Lessor shall sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver to the
Lessee (or its designee), and Lessee shall purchase from Lessor the following
assets (together, the "Assets"):

                                    (a) all rights, to the extent assignable or
                  transferable, all licenses, certificates of need, certificates
                  of exemption, franchises, accreditations and registrations and
                  other licenses or permits issued in connection with the
                  Business (the "Licenses"), including, without limitation, the
                  Licenses described in SCHEDULE 1.1(A);

                                    (b) all documents, records, operating
                  manuals and files, and computer software owned by Lessor or
                  its affiliates, pertaining to or used in connection with the
                  Business, including, without limitation, all patient records,
                  medical records, financial records, equipment records,
                  construction plans and specifications, and medical and
                  administrative libraries, but excluding Lessor's minute books
                  and other corporate records;

                                    (c) the right to use, during the term of the
                  Lease, the name "Lakewood Medical Center" and legally
                  permissible variations thereof;




                                       5
<PAGE>

                                    (d) all of Lessor's interest, to the extent
                  assignable or transferable by it, in and to those leases set
                  forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(D) (all of such leases being referred to
                  collectively as the "Assumed Leases");

                                    (e) all of Lessor's interest, to the extent
                  assignable or transferable by it, in and to those contracts
                  and agreements relating to the Business set forth in SCHEDULE
                  1.1(E) (the "Assumed Contracts");

                                    (f) to the extent beneficial to the
                  continued operation of the Business after the Closing Date (as
                  defined in Section 2.1), any deposits, escrows, prepaid taxes
                  or other advance payments relating to any expenses of the
                  Business, including, without limitation, those items
                  identified in SCHEDULE 1.1(F) (the "Prepaid Expenses");

                                    (g) all inventories of supplies, drugs,
                  food, janitorial and office supplies and other disposables and
                  consumables existing on the Closing Date and located at the
                  Hospital (the "Operating Inventory");

                                    (h) all notes and accounts receivable
                  relating to the Hospital existing on the Closing Date (as
                  hereinafter defined), whether recorded or unrecorded or
                  assigned for collection, together with the right to have
                  transferred to Lessee, upon Lessor's receipt, all amounts
                  ("Government Patient Receivables") which as of the Closing
                  Date are or may become due from Medicare, Medicaid and other
                  third party payors arising from the rendering of services to
                  patients by the Hospital, billed and unbilled, recorded or
                  unrecorded, which by law or contract may not be assigned, and
                  the right to have transferred to Lessee all amounts which are
                  or may become due to Lessor relating to the settlement or
                  retroactive adjustments of cost reports filed or to be filed
                  by Lessor;

                                    (i) all cash and cash equivalents and
                  short-term investments, if any existing on the Closing Date;

                                    (j) all insurance proceeds in existence on
                  the Closing Date arising in connection with damage to the
                  Premises, the Equipment (each as defined in the Lease) or the
                  Assets (as hereinafter defined), but excluding the rights
                  under any insurance policies or to any insurance proceeds
                  payable to Lessor in connection with any liability of Lessor
                  that is not an Assumed Liability, which proceeds shall be
                  applied solely to make any necessary repairs or replacements;
                  and

                                    (k) all goodwill associated with the
                  foregoing.


                                       6
<PAGE>

                           1.2 EXCLUDED ASSETS. The following items which are
related to the Assets are not intended by the parties to be a part of the sale
and purchase contemplated hereunder and are excluded from the Assets
(collectively, the "Excluded Assets"): (i) all mineral rights, (ii) the rights
under any insurance policies or to any insurance proceeds payable to Lessor in
connection with any liability of the Lessor that is not an Assumed Liability and
(iii) any unused portion of insurance premiums under any insurance policies of
Lessor.

                           1.3 ASSETS FREE AND CLEAR; ASSIGNMENT AND
UNDERTAKING.

                                    (a) Notwithstanding any other provision
                  hereof to the contrary, the Assets shall be sold free and
                  clear of all liabilities, liens and encumbrances, except for
                  any liabilities arising under or in connection with, or any
                  payment or performance obligations of Lessor with respect to
                  (i) the Assumed Contracts, (ii) the Assumed Leases, (iii) any
                  liabilities of Lessor appearing on Lessor's July 31, 2001
                  balance sheet, (iv) the trade payables of Lessor related to
                  the operation of the Hospital incurred in the ordinary course
                  of business prior to Closing and recorded in amounts
                  consistent with past practice and (v) except as scheduled on
                  SCHEDULE 1.3 attached hereto, any liabilities arising out of
                  or in connection with matters disclosed in the disclosure
                  schedules attached hereto (collectively, the "Assumed
                  Liabilities"). Lessee shall expressly agree to assume the
                  obligations and liabilities of Lessor under the Assumed
                  Contracts, Assumed Leases and other Assumed Liabilities
                  pursuant to the Assignment and Undertaking attached hereto as
                  APPENDIX 1.3. Except as provided in the Assignment and
                  Undertaking, Lessee is not assuming and shall not be deemed to
                  have assumed any other liability or obligation of Lessor or
                  any of its affiliates, fixed or contingent, disclosed or
                  undisclosed, or otherwise; including, without limitation, any
                  liabilities arising in respect of Agency Payables (which shall
                  mean all net amounts due or to become due to third-party
                  payors under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs in respect of
                  periods prior to and the Closing Date) and cost reports filed
                  or required to be filed by Lessor, whether unrecorded or
                  recorded as a current or long-term asset or liability.

                                    (b) To effect assumptions and assignments of
                  the Assumed Contracts, Assumed Leases and Assumed Liabilities
                  contemplated hereby, Lessee and Lessor shall execute the
                  Assignment and Undertaking.

                                    (c) With respect to any indebtedness secured
                  by a lien on the Assets which is not expressly assumed by
                  Lessee in the Assignment or Undertaking Agreement, any such
                  lien shall be divested or removed prior to or at the Closing.


                                       7
<PAGE>

                           1.4 LIMITED REIMBURSEMENT OF LESSOR. Lessee shall
reimburse Lessor in an amount up to $250,000 in the aggregate for any
liabilities or obligations not assumed by Lessee and incurred by Lessor prior to
Closing or that arise subsequent to Closing in connection with Lessor's
operation of the Hospital prior to Closing; provided, that, neither the
Commissioners of, senior management of the Hospital nor counsel to Lessor have
actual knowledge of such liabilities or obligations as of the Closing Date. In
the event that such liabilities and obligations exceed $250,000 in the
aggregate, Lessee shall reimburse Lessor for an amount equal to $250,000 and
Lessor shall be responsible for any amounts in excess of $250,000.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liabilities or obligations contemplated in
this section shall not be deemed as included within the Assumed Liabilities set
forth in Section 1.3 of this Annex A.

                           1.5 PURCHASE PRICE.

                                    (a) The purchase price (the "Purchase
                  Price") shall be equal to the book value of the Assets as
                  reflected on the latest available balance sheet of the
                  Hospital. The Purchase Price shall be the Rent paid by Lessee
                  on the Commencement Date.

                                    (b) As of the Closing, Lessee and Lessor
                  shall prorate, if possible, property lease payments, property
                  taxes and other assessments, as well as all other income and
                  expenses with respect to the Business which are normally
                  prorated upon the sale of assets of a going concern. Lessor
                  shall, to the extent practicable, order final readings of all
                  power and other utility charges to be made as of the Closing
                  Date and shall pay when due all charges in respect of the
                  Hospital for such charges for periods prior to the
                  Commencement Date.

                           1.6 ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE. The Purchase Price
allocation shall be determined within 30 days of the Closing for all purposes,
including, without limitation, tax and Medicare purposes.

                           1.7 LOCK BOX. Lessor hereby appoints Lessee, and
Lessee agrees to act, as Lessor's collection agent with respect to the
Government Patient Receivables. In connection therewith, on or before the
Closing Date, Lessee shall establish, at its expense, a "lock box" at a
financial institution selected by Lessee, and after the date hereof shall
deposit in such lock box cash, checks, drafts or other similar items of payment
of such Government Patient Receivables within a reasonable time of Lessee's
receipt thereof. Lessor hereby assigns all such amounts deposited into such
account into the lock box to Lessee, as collection agent, and Lessee
acknowledges that such assignment shall constitute full satisfaction and
discharge of the Lessor's obligation to transfer to Lessee an amount equal to
the value of the Lessor's Government Patient Receivables. Lessor and Lessee
agree to



                                       8
<PAGE>

execute any such further documents as may reasonably be requested by Lessee to
accomplish the intent of this section.

                           1.8 ESCROWED FUNDS. On June 13, 2001, Lessee,
pursuant to the Letter of Intent dated June 1, 2001 between the parties, placed
Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in an Escrow Account with AmSouth
Bank as Escrow Agent to pay, pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement,
Lessor's costs related to the consummation of the transaction contemplated
herein. The Lessor shall immediately repay all Escrowed Funds to Lessee upon the
occurrence of any of the following: (i) the voluntary and without cause
withdrawal from negotiations of Lessor, (ii) the execution by Lessor of a letter
of intent with any other entity or (iii) the termination of this Agreement or
the termination of negotiations of this Agreement by Lessee due to a breach by
Lessor of its obligations hereunder.

                  2. CLOSING.

                           2.1 CLOSING. The consummation of all matters
anticipated herein (the "Closing") shall take place in New Orleans, Louisiana,
at the offices of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre L.L.P.,
201 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70170 or other agreed upon
location, at 10:00 A.M. local time on October 31, 2001 provided all required
regulatory and other approvals to the Closing have been obtained, but in no
event later than November 30, 2001, unless the parties hereto agree otherwise in
writing (the "Closing Date").

                           2.2 ACTION OF LESSOR AT CLOSING. At the Closing,
Lessor shall deliver to Lessee the following:

                                    (i) the Assignment and Undertaking;

                                    (ii) a general bill of sale and assignment
                  in the form attached hereto as APPENDIX 2.2(II) (the "Bill of
                  Sale") conveying and assigning to Lessee all of the Assets;

                                    (iii) copies of resolutions duly adopted by
                  Lessor authorizing and approving Lessor's performance of the
                  transactions contemplated hereby and the execution and
                  delivery of the documents described herein, certified as true
                  and of full force as of Closing by appropriate officers of
                  Lessor;

                                    (iv) certificates, dated as of the Closing
                  Date, of officers of Lessor certifying that as of the Closing
                  all of the representations and warranties by or on behalf of
                  Lessor contained in the Lease and this Annex A are true and
                  correct in all material respects and all covenants and
                  agreements of Lessor to be performed prior to or as of the
                  Closing pursuant to the Lease and this Annex A have been
                  performed in all material respects;




                                       9
<PAGE>

                                    (v) a certificate of incumbency, dated as of
                  the Closing Date, for the officers of Lessor making
                  certifications for Closing or executing the Bill of Sale,
                  Assignment and Undertaking or this Annex A;

                                    (vi) subject to Section 1.2 hereof, all of
                  Lessor's Contracts, Leases, commitments, books, records and
                  other data relating to the Assets;

                                    (vii) evidence of the purchase by Lessor of
                  the tail insurance provided for under Section 6.8 hereof; and

                                    (viii) such other documents as may
                  reasonably be requested by Lessee.

                            Simultaneously with the delivery of the foregoing
items and as reasonably required at anytime thereafter, Lessor shall take all
steps as may be reasonably required to put Lessee in actual possession and
operating control of the Assets following the Closing.

                            2.3 ACTION OF LESSEE AT CLOSING. At the Closing,
Lessee shall deliver to Lessor the following:

                                    (i) payment of the cash portion of the
                  Purchase Price in cash or immediately available funds;

                                    (ii) the Assignment and Undertaking;

                                    (iii) copies of corporate resolutions duly
                  adopted by Lessee authorizing and approving Lessee's
                  performance of the transactions contemplated hereby and the
                  execution and delivery of the documents described herein,
                  certified as true and of full force as of Closing by
                  appropriate officers of the Lessee;

                                    (iv) a certificate, dated as of the Closing
                  Date, of an officer of Lessee certifying that, to the
                  officer's actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry, as of the
                  Closing all of the representations and warranties by or on
                  behalf of Lessee contained in the Lease and this Annex A are
                  true and correct in all material respects and the covenants
                  and agreements of Lessee to be performed prior to or as of
                  Closing pursuant to the Lease and this Annex A have been
                  performed in all material respects;

                                    (v) a certificate of incumbency, dated as of
                  the Closing Date, for the officers of Lessee making
                  certifications for Closing or executing the Assignment and
                  Undertaking or this Annex A; and



                                       10
<PAGE>

                                    (vi) such other documents as may be
                  reasonably requested by Lessor.

                  3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LESSOR.

                  As of the date hereof, Lessor represents and warrants to
Lessee that:

                           3.1 CAPACITY. Lessor is a political subdivision of
the State of Louisiana that has been duly formed, and is validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana and has all requisite
power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its
businesses as now being conducted.

                           3.2 POWERS; ABSENCE OF CONFLICTS WITH OTHER
AGREEMENTS, ETC.

                           (a) The execution, delivery and performance by Lessor
of the Lease and this Annex A and the other agreements and transactions
contemplated hereby:

                                    (i) are within the power of Lessor, are not
                  in contravention of the terms of any resolution or act or
                  governing instrument or any amendments thereto of Lessor and
                  have been duly authorized by the Commission of Lessor, as and
                  to the extent required; and

                                    (ii) on the Closing Date, (A) will not
                  result in any breach of any indenture, agreement, lease or
                  instrument to which Lessor is a party or by which Lessor is
                  bound, (B) will not constitute a violation of any judgment,
                  decree, or order of any court of competent jurisdiction
                  applicable to Lessor, (C) will not violate any law, rule or
                  regulation of any governmental authority applicable to Lessor
                  or any of the Assets and (d) will not require any consent,
                  approval or authorization of, or notice to, or declaration,
                  filing or registration with, any governmental or regulatory
                  authority, except for any such breaches or violations as would
                  not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
                  effect on the Hospital or its business;

                           (b) As of the Closing, this Annex A and the other
agreements and instruments contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
executed and delivered by Lessor. This Annex A and the other agreements and
instruments contemplated hereby constitute the valid, legal and binding
obligations of Lessor enforceable against it in accordance with their terms.

                           3.3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. SCHEDULE 3.3 hereto
consists of true, correct and complete copies of Lessor's audited financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 1999 and December 31, 2000
(collectively, the "Financial



                                       11
<PAGE>
Statements"). The Financial Statements have been prepared from and are in
accordance with the books and records of Lessor and fairly present the financial
position of Lessor as of the dates and for the periods indicated, in each case
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied ("GAAP"), during such periods.

                           3.4 LICENSES. Lessor has all licenses and permits
relating to the ownership of the Hospital and the Assets and operation of the
Business as are necessary and required for such ownership and operation.
SCHEDULE 3.4 hereto contains a complete description of all material licenses,
permits, franchises, certificates of need, certificate of need applications, and
PRO memos, if any, and their respective dates of termination or renewal, owned
or held by Lessor relating to the ownership, development or operation of the
Hospital, Assets or the Business, together with any formal and specific notices
or directives received from the agency responsible for such SCHEDULE 3.4 item,
for which noncompliance with such notice or directive would likely cause the
revocation, suspension or material diminution in term for such item. All items
listed on SCHEDULE 3.4 are, to Lessor's actual knowledge after reasonable
inquiry, in good standing and, except as expressly set forth on SCHEDULE 3.4,
are not subject to renewal within less than one (1) year.

                           3.5 CERTAIN CONTRACTS. SCHEDULE 3.5 lists all
contracts to which Lessor is a party involving obligations of Lessor in respect
of the Business (the "Scheduled Contracts"). Lessor has delivered to Lessee true
and correct copies of all Scheduled Contracts. All of the Assumed Contracts are
valid and binding obligations of Lessor, are in full force and effect, and are
enforceable against Lessor in accordance with their terms. Except as expressly
noted in SCHEDULE 1.1(E), the Assumed Contracts are terminable at the option of
Lessor on no more than 90 days notice without liability to Lessor. Lessor has
not received any notice that the other parties to the Assumed Contracts are (i)
in default under such Assumed Contract or (ii) consider Lessor to be in default
thereunder. Except as expressly noted in SCHEDULE 3.5, to Lessor's actual
knowledge after reasonable inquiry, no party to any of the Assumed Contracts
intends to terminate or materially adversely modify its agreement(s) with
respect thereto, or materially adversely change the volume of business done
thereunder.

                           3.6 CERTAIN LEASES. SCHEDULE 3.6(A) lists all leases
to which Lessor is a party in respect of the Business ("Scheduled Leases").
Lessor has delivered to Lessee true and correct copies of all Scheduled Leases
and all related amendments, supplements, modifications and related documents
(the "Scheduled Lease Documents"). The Scheduled Lease Documents relating to the
Assumed Leases are unmodified and in full force and effect, and there are no
other agreements, written or oral, between Lessor and any third parties claiming
an interest in Lessor's interest in the Scheduled Leases or otherwise relating
to Lessor's use and occupancy of any leased property. All of the Assumed Leases
are valid and binding obligations of Lessor, are in full force and effect, and
are



                                       12
<PAGE>

enforceable against Lessor in accordance with their terms; and no event has
occurred including, but not limited to, the execution, delivery and performance
of this Annex A and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or both) would constitute a
default thereunder. Lessor has not received any written notice that the other
party to any Assumed Lease (i) is in default under such Assumed Lease or (ii)
consider Lessor to be in default thereunder. Except as expressly noted in
SCHEDULE 1.1(D), the Assumed Leases are terminable at the option of Lessor on no
more than 90 days notice without liability to Lessor. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.6(B), no property leased under any Assumed Lease is subject to any
lien, encumbrance, easement, right of way, building or use restriction,
exception, variance, reservation or limitation as might in any respect interfere
with or impair the present and continued use thereof in the usual and normal
conduct of the Business. SCHEDULE 3.6(C) contains rent rolls for each building
in which Lessor leases or subleases space to tenants, which rent rolls identify
each building and its total square footage, and, with respect to each lease or
sublease, identify (a) the tenant or subtenant, (b) the number of square feet
leased, (c) the term commencement date and expiration date, (d) the annual or
monthly rent and (e) tenant's suite number.

                           3.7 TITLE TO PREMISES. On the Closing Date, Lessor
will hold of record good and marketable fee simple title to the Premises, free
and clear of all liens and encumbrances, excluding the Permitted Encumbrances.

                           3.8 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

                                    (a) Set forth on SCHEDULE 3.8(A) is a list
                  (all of which are collectively referred to as the "Employee
                  Plans") of all "employee benefit plans" as defined by Section
                  3(3) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
                  as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
                  thereunder (collectively, "ERISA"), all specified fringe
                  benefit plans as defined in Section 6039D of the Code, and all
                  other bonus, incentive compensation, deferred compensation,
                  profit sharing, savings, severance, supplemental unemployment,
                  layoff, salary continuation, retirement, pension, health, life
                  insurance, disability, group insurance, vacation, holiday,
                  sick leave, fringe benefit or welfare plan, or any other
                  similar plan, agreement, policy or understanding (whether
                  written or oral, qualified or nonqualified), and any trust,
                  escrow or other agreement related thereto, which (i) is
                  maintained or contributed to by the Lessor in whole or in part
                  on behalf of the employees of the Hospital, or (ii) with
                  respect to which the Lessor has any obligations to any current
                  or former officer, employee, or service provider of the
                  Hospital or the dependents of any thereof, or (iii) which
                  could result in the imposition of material liability to the
                  Lessor, Lessee, or Parent, including without limitation plans
                  and arrangements that have been terminated. The Lessor has
                  delivered to




                                       13
<PAGE>

                  Lessee true, accurate and complete copies of the documents
                  comprising each Employee Plan and any related trust
                  agreements, annuity contracts or any other funding instruments
                  ("Funding Arrangements").

                                    (b) Neither Lessor nor any Affiliate has
                  been liable at any time for contributions to a plan that is
                  subject to Title IV of ERISA.

                                    (c) Neither Lessor nor any Affiliate has any
                  liability, and the transactions contemplated under this Annex
                  A will not result in any liability (i) for the termination of
                  or withdrawal from any plan under Section 4062, 4063, or 4064
                  of ERISA, (ii) for any lien imposed under Section 302(f) of
                  ERISA or Section 412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
                  as amended (the "Code"), (iii) for any interest payments
                  required under Section 302(e) of ERISA or Section 412(m) of
                  the Code, (iv) for any excise tax imposed by Section 4971 of
                  the Code, (v) for any minimum funding contributions under
                  Section 302(c)(11) of ERISA or Section 412(c)(11) of the Code,
                  or (vi) for withdrawal from any multi-employer plan under
                  Section 4201 of ERISA.

                                    (d) Each Employee Benefit Plan maintained by
                  Lessor was established pursuant to the statutory authority of
                  the State of Louisiana in La. R.S. 46:1068 and La. R.S.
                  46:1068.1 or valid regulations issued pursuant to such
                  statutory authority.

                                    (e) All Employee Benefit Plans maintained by
                  the Lessor are governmental plans as defined in Section 414(d)
                  of the Code, ERISA 3(32) and ERISA 4021(b)(2). Lessor does not
                  now and has never adopted, sponsored or maintained an annuity
                  contract or plan described in Section 403(b) of the Code for
                  the benefit of the employees of the Lessor.

                                    (f) Lessor has heretofore provided to Lessee
                  true, accurate and complete copies of the following documents
                  as applicable: (i) the Employee Benefit Plan documents and all
                  amendments, (ii) all personnel, payroll and employment manuals
                  and policies, and (iii) such other documents, records or other
                  materials related thereto reasonably requested by Lessee prior
                  to the Closing Date.

                                    (g) There have been no prohibited
                  transactions, breaches of fiduciary duty or other breaches or
                  violations of any law applicable to the Employee Benefit Plans
                  and related funding arrangements that could subject Lessor,
                  Lessee or Parent to any liability. Each Employee Benefit Plan
                  intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has
                  a current favorable determination letter




                                       14
<PAGE>

                  (or, in the case of a standardized form or paired plan, a
                  favorable opinion or notification letter), and no event has
                  occurred which could cause any Employee Benefit Plan to become
                  disqualified for purposes of Section 401(a) of the Code. Each
                  Employee Benefit Plan has been operated in all material
                  respects in compliance with applicable law, including Section
                  401(a) of the Code and ERISA, as applicable, and in accordance
                  with its terms.

                                    (h) All required reports, tax returns,
                  documents and plan descriptions of the Employee Benefit Plans
                  have been timely filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the
                  United States Labor Department (the "DOL"), and the Pension
                  Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") and/or, as
                  appropriate, provided to participants in the Employee Benefit
                  Plans.

                                    (i) There are no pending claims, lawsuits or
                  actions relating to any Employee Benefit Plans (other than
                  ordinary course claims for benefits) and, to Lessor's actual
                  knowledge after reasonable inquiry, none are threatened.

                                    (j) No written or oral representations have
                  been made to any Employee or former Employee of Lessor
                  promising or guaranteeing any employer payment or funding, and
                  no Employee Benefit Plans provide, for the continuation of
                  medical, dental, life or disability insurance coverage for any
                  former Employee of Lessor for any period of time beyond the
                  end of the current plan year (except to the extent of coverage
                  required under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
                  Act of 1985 ("COBRA") and the Public Heath Service Act,
                  codified as 42 USC ss.ss.300bb-1 through 300bb-8 ("PHSA")).
                  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
                  Annex A will not accelerate the time of vesting or payment, or
                  increase the amount, of compensation to any Employee, officer,
                  former Employee or former officer of the Lessor, with the
                  exception of participants who become fully vested in Lessor's
                  retirement plans as a result of a termination or partial
                  termination of such plans, in accordance with Code Section
                  411(d)(3). SCHEDULE 3.8(J) lists all of the former employees
                  of the Lessor and their beneficiaries who have elected or are
                  eligible to elect COBRA continuation of health insurance
                  coverage under the Lessor's group health plans.

                                    (k) The Lessor and its Affiliates have
                  complied with the continuation coverage provisions of COBRA
                  and the PHSA with respect to all current Employees and former
                  Employees.



                                       15
<PAGE>

                                    (l) Neither Lessor, any Affiliate nor any
                  other employer who has participated or is participating in any
                  Employee Benefit Plans (a "Sponsor") has incurred any
                  liability to the DOL, the PBGC or the Internal Revenue Service
                  in connection with any of the Employee Benefit Plans and no
                  condition exists that presents a risk to Lessor or any Sponsor
                  of incurring any liability to the DOL, the PBGC or the
                  Internal Revenue Service.

                                    (m) Lessor has paid in full all amounts
                  which are required under the terms of each Employee Benefit
                  Plan or funding arrangement to have been paid as of the date
                  of this Annex A. Further, as of the Closing Date, Lessor shall
                  have paid in full all liabilities accrued with respect to each
                  Employee or former Employee in each Employee Benefit Plan,
                  with the exception of accrued vacation and sick days, in
                  accordance with Section 6.4(a). With the exception of the
                  Lakewood Hospital Profit Sharing Plan and the Lakewood
                  Hospital 457 Plan, no Employee Benefit Plan has assets in a
                  fund or trust, and liabilities are paid from the general
                  assets of the Lessor. Assets held by the Lakewood Hospital
                  Benefit Sharing Plan and the Lakewood Hospital 457 Plan are
                  sufficient to pay all liabilities under such plans as of the
                  Closing Date.

                                    (n) Any Employee Benefit Plan that provides
                  for severance payments to employees after termination of
                  employment is in writing, has been operated in compliance with
                  applicable law, and expressly provides that no severance
                  benefits are payable as the result of a termination of
                  employment to an employee who is hired by a successor entity,
                  or who otherwise continues employment with a successor, in
                  connection with a merger or acquisition transaction.

                                    (o) For the purpose of this Section 3.8, the
                  term "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any other entity, if any, or
                  trade or business that has adopted or has ever participated in
                  any of Lessor's Employee Benefit Plans.

                                    (p) For the purpose of this Section 3.8, the
                  term "Employee" shall be considered to include individuals
                  rendering personal services to the Lessee at the hospital as
                  independent contractors and leased employees as defined in
                  Code ss. 414(n) and the regulations promulgated pursuant
                  thereto.

                           3.9 LITIGATION OR PROCEEDINGS. SCHEDULE 3.9 contains
a list of each lawsuit or legal proceeding to which Lessor is a party or which
arose out of or in connection with the Business or which to the actual knowledge
of Lessor, has been threatened against Lessor in connection with the Business.
Since January 1,




                                       16
<PAGE>

2000, Lessor has not been subject to any formal or informal (of which Lessor has
received notice) investigations or proceedings of the Louisiana Department of
Health and Hospitals, the United States General Accounting Office, the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services or other similar governmental agencies (except for any
investigations being conducted in the ordinary course of business and applicable
to all hospitals) with respect to the Hospital. There are no such claims,
actions, proceedings or investigations of which Lessor has received notice
pending or threatened challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions
contemplated by this Annex A. Lessor is not now, and has not been since May
2000, a party to any injunction, order, or decree restricting the method of the
conduct of its business or the marketing of any of its services, nor to the
actual knowledge of Lessor, has any governmental agency investigated or
requested (other than on a routine basis) information with respect to such
methods of business or marketing of services; Lessor has not received any claim
that Lessor currently violates any federal, state, or local law, ordinance, rule
or regulation, which, if proven, would have a material adverse effect on the
Business and Lessor has no actual knowledge that any such claim is or has been
threatened; and there have been no developments materially adverse to Lessor
with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding of an
administrative or judicial nature, including but not limited to those referred
to in SCHEDULE 3.9, and including without limitation any such pending or
threatened claim, action or proceeding arising from or relating to (i) the
assertion by any governmental authority of any retroactive adjustment of the
sums which Lessor was entitled to receive pursuant to government or third party
reimbursement programs such as (but not limited to) Medicare and Medicaid, or
(ii) any allegation by any governmental authority of fraud or abuse by any
current or former officers or employees of Lessor in connection with the making
of any application for reimbursement pursuant to the government or third party
reimbursement programs referred to in the preceding clause (i).

                           3.10 INSURANCE. SCHEDULE 3.10(A) is a list and brief
description of all policies or binders of fire, liability, product liability,
workers' compensation, health and other forms of insurance policies or binders
currently in force insuring Lessor against risks which will remain in full force
and effect (or will be replaced by substantially similar coverage) at least
through the Closing Date. SCHEDULE 3.10(B) contains a description of all
malpractice liability insurance policies of Lessor. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.10(C), since January 1, 1996 (i) Lessor has not filed a written
application for any insurance coverage which has been denied by an insurance
agency or carrier and (ii) Lessor has been continuously insured for professional
malpractice claims for at least the past seven (7) years, including periods
during which Lessor was self-insured. SCHEDULE 3.10(C) also sets forth a list of
all claims for any insured loss in excess of $5,000 per occurrence, filed by
Lessor during the three (3) year period immediately preceding the Closing Date,
including but not limited to, workers' compensation, general liability,
environmental liability and professional malpractice liability claims. Lessor is
not in material default with




                                       17
<PAGE>

respect to any provision contained in any such policy and has not failed to give
any notice or present any claim under any such policy in due and timely fashion.

                           3.11 POST-BALANCE SHEET RESULTS. Except as set forth
on SCHEDULE 3.11, since July 31, 2001, with respect to the Business, there has
not been:

                                    (a) any damage, destruction or loss (whether
                  or not covered by insurance) the effect of which has
                  materially adversely affected the Business, taken as a whole;

                                    (b) any sale, lease, transfer or disposition
                  by Lessor of the Business or any material assets or material
                  portion of its Assets; or

                                    (c) any change or the occurrence of any fact
                  or condition which may be reasonably expected to have a
                  material adverse effect on the Assets, the Business or the
                  value of the Business, other than such changes, facts and
                  conditions, if any, affecting the Morgan City, Louisiana
                  hospital service area generally, the general economy or the
                  healthcare industry generally.

                           3.12 LESSOR'S EMPLOYEES. SCHEDULE 3.12 contains a
list of all of Lessor's employees who perform services at or on behalf of the
Hospital, their current salary or wage rates, department and a job title or
other summary of the responsibilities of such employees. The Lessor has complied
in all material respects with all federal and state regulations relating to the
performance of background checks on the Hospital employees. Since July 31, 2001,
there has not been any increase in the compensation payable or to become payable
by Lessor to any of Lessor's officers, employees or agents, or any bonus payment
or arrangement made to or with any such person, except as described in SCHEDULE
3.12. Lessor has not incurred any liability, or taken or failed to take any
action which will result in any liability, in respect of any failure to comply
with the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable laws dealing with
minimum wages or maximum hours for employees. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
3.12, all employees of Lessor are terminable at will by Lessor. SCHEDULE 3.12
includes a list of all employees of Lessor (other than "part-time employees")
who have been "terminated" or "laid-off" since July 31, 2001 (as such quoted
terms are defined in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
("WARN")).

                           3.13 LABOR MATTERS. Lessor has no collective
bargaining agreements with any labor union, and there are no current
negotiations with a labor union. Lessor is in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable laws respecting employment and employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, and is not
engaged in any unfair labor practice. There is no unfair labor practice
complaint against Lessor pending before the National Labor Relations Board.
There is no labor strike, dispute, slowdown or



                                       18
<PAGE>

stoppage actually pending or threatened against or affecting Lessor. No
grievance which might have an adverse effect on Lessor or any such arbitration
proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending,
and no claim therefor exists. Lessor has not experienced any employee strikes
since the date the Hospital began operation.

                           3.14 CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE
BUSINESS.

                                    (a) The Hospital has current contractual
                  arrangements with Blue Cross. Complete and accurate copies of
                  the existing Blue Cross contracts of the Hospital have been
                  furnished to Lessee. The Hospital is presently in compliance
                  in all material respects with the terms, conditions and
                  provisions of such contracts.

                                    (b) The Hospital is qualified for
                  participation in the Louisiana Medicaid program, is currently
                  participating in such program, and has been assigned a
                  Medicaid provider number. Complete and accurate copies of
                  Lessor's existing Medicaid contracts for the Hospital have
                  been furnished to Lessee. The Hospital is presently in
                  compliance in all material respects with the terms, conditions
                  and provisions of such contracts.

                                    (c) Included in SCHEDULE 3.14 are copies of
                  the fire marshal reports with respect to the Hospital since
                  January 1, 2000. The Hospital is not in violation in any
                  material respect of any fire code.

                                    (d) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.14,
                  Lessor has received no written notice that the Hospital is in
                  violation of local building codes, ordinances or zoning laws.
                  The building or buildings in which the Hospital is located
                  comply in all material respects with all local building codes,
                  ordinances and zoning laws and are in a condition that
                  complies with accreditation standards by the Joint Commission
                  on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations ("JCAHO").

                                    (e) Included in SCHEDULE 3.14 is a copy of
                  all licensure survey reports of the Hospital by the Louisiana
                  Department of Health and Hospitals since January 1, 2000.

                                    (f) Included in SCHEDULE 3.14 are copies of
                  the Bylaws of the Medical Staff of the Hospital and copies of
                  minutes of meetings thereof since January 1, 2000. No
                  proceedings are pending or threatened seeking to remove or
                  limit the privileges of any member of the medical staff of the
                  Hospital.



                                       19
<PAGE>

                                    (g) Complete and accurate copies of all
                  appraisals, if any, obtained by Lessor since January 1, 2000,
                  relating to the Hospital or any of its assets have been
                  furnished to Lessee.

                                    (h) The Hospital has all licenses required
                  under federal and state law to operate the Business, including
                  but not limited to, a license issued by the Louisiana
                  Department of Health and Hospitals as a general acute care
                  hospital authorized to operate a 168-bed general acute care
                  hospital in its existing facilities located in Morgan City,
                  Louisiana. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.14, the Hospital
                  is presently in compliance in all material respects with all
                  the terms, conditions and provisions of such licenses.
                  SCHEDULE 3.14 also contains a copy of such licenses. The
                  facilities, equipment, staffing and operations of the Hospital
                  satisfy, without material exception, the applicable hospital
                  licensing requirements of the State of Louisiana.

                           3.15 REIMBURSEMENT MATTERS. Complete and accurate
copies of all Medicare cost reports and related forms filed during the past
three years by Lessor have been furnished to Lessee. To Lessor's actual
knowledge after reasonable inquiry, all such cost reports were materially
correct and in compliance with the requirements of the Medicare program. To
Lessor's actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry, the amounts set up as
provisions for the Medicaid or Medicare adjustments and adjustments by any other
third party payors on the Financial Statements are sufficient to pay any amounts
for which Lessor may be liable. Lessor has received no written notices that
Medicare or Medicaid has any claims against it which may reasonably be expected
to result in consolidated net offsets against future reimbursement in excess of
any reserves for Medicare and Medicaid adjustments reflected in the latest
balance sheet included in Lessor's Financial Statements. Neither Lessor nor, to
Lessor's actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry, any of its employees have
committed a violation of the Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse provisions of
the federal Social Security Act. Lessor agrees that Lessee may, in its
discretion, reopen costs reports for any period prior to Closing, and that
Lessee shall be entitled to retain any amounts which shall be payable to Lessor
as a result of any adjustments thereto. Lessee agrees that it shall be solely
responsible for any amounts which may be payable by Lessor occasioned by
Lessee's reopening thereof.

                           3.16 CERTIFICATES OF NEED. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.16, there are no currently pending or open applications for any
Certificate of Need, Exemption Certificate (each as defined below) or
declaratory ruling in respect to the Hospital or any of the Assets with any of
the State Health Agencies or other applicable agency (collectively, the
"Applications"). Lessor has neither any Applications pending nor any approved
Applications which relate to projects not yet completed. Lessor has properly
filed all required Applications which are complete and correct in all material
respects with respect to any and all material




                                       20
<PAGE>

improvements, projects, changes in services, zoning requirements, construction
and equipment purchases, and other changes for which approval is required under
any applicable statute or under the Social Security Act. As used herein,
"Certificate of Need" means a written statement issued by a State Health Agency
evidencing community need for a new, converted, expanded or otherwise
significantly modified health care facility, health service or hospice, and
"Exemption Certificate" means a written statement from the appropriate State
Health Agency stating that a health care project is not subject to the
Certificate of Need requirements under applicable state law.

                           3.17 MEDICARE PARTICIPATION/ACCREDITATION. The
Hospital is qualified for participation in the Medicare, Medicaid and CHAMPUS
programs, has a current and valid provider contract with such programs and is in
compliance with the conditions of participation in such programs, and has no
reason to believe that it will not receive all approvals or qualifications
necessary for capital reimbursement. Complete and accurate copies of Lessor's
existing Medicare and Medicaid provider and (if applicable) supplier agreements
are included in SCHEDULE 3.17. Complete and accurate copies of Lessor's existing
CHAMPUS contracts have been furnished to Lessee. The Hospital is duly
accredited, with no contingencies (except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.17), by the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations ("JCAHO") for the
three (3) year periods described on SCHEDULE 3.17. A copy of the most recent
report and Certificate of Accreditation relating to the Hospital is included in
SCHEDULE 3.17. Neither Lessor, Hospital, nor any of their officers, directors,
employees, or shareholders of 5% or more are excluded from participation in any
state or federal healthcare programs, nor is any such exclusion threatened.
Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.17, Lessor has not received any notice from
any of the Medicare, Medicaid or CHAMPUS programs, or any other third party
payor programs of any pending or threatened investigations or surveys,
including, but not limited to: (i) the assertions by any governmental authority
of any retroactive adjustment of the sums which the Lessor was entitled to
receive in connection with a third party reimbursement program; or (ii) any
allegation by any governmental authority of fraud or abuse by any current or
former employees of Lessor in connection with any application for reimbursement
from any third-party payor program; and Lessor has no reason to believe that any
such investigations or surveys are pending, threatened, or imminent.

                           3.18 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.9 hereto, the Hospital has been in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements of
all federal, state, and local commissions, boards, bureaus, and agencies having
jurisdiction over such Hospital and the Assets associated therewith and the
operations of such Hospital and the Assets associated therewith. Lessor has
timely filed all material reports, data, and other information required to be
filed with such commissions, boards, bureaus, and agencies. To the actual
knowledge of Lessor, after reasonable inquiry, neither Lessor nor Hospital, nor
any of their officers, directors, or managing



                                       21
<PAGE>

employees have engaged in any activities that are prohibited under 42 U.S.C.
Section 1320a-7 ET SEQ., or the regulations promulgated thereunder, or under any
statutes or regulations, or which are prohibited by rules of professional
conduct, including but not limited to, the following:

                                    (i) knowingly and willfully making or
causing to be made a false statement or representation of a material fact in any
application for any benefit or payment;

                                    (ii) knowingly and willfully making or
causing to be made a false statement or representation of a material fact for
use in determining rights to any benefit or payment;

                                    (iii) presenting or causing to be presented
a claim for reimbursement for services under Medicare, Medicaid or other state
or federal health care programs that is for an item or service that is known or
should be known to be (a) not provided as claimed, or (b) false or fraudulent;

                                    (iv) failing to disclose knowledge by a
claimant of the occurrence of any event effecting the initial or continued right
to any benefit or payment on its own behalf or on behalf of another, with intent
to fraudulently secure such benefit or payment;

                                    (v) knowingly and willfully offering,
paying, soliciting or receiving any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe
or rebate), directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind (a)
in return for referring an individual to a person for the furnishing or
arranging for the furnishing of any item or service for which payment may be
made in whole or in part by Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state health
care program, or (b) in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging
for or recommending purchasing, leasing or ordering any good, facility, service
or item for which payment may be made in whole or in part by Medicare, Medicaid,
or other federal or state health care program;

                                    (vi) knowingly making a payment, directly or
indirectly, to a physician as an inducement to reduce or limit necessary
services to individuals who are under the direct care of the physician and who
are entitled to benefits under Medicare, Medicaid, or other state health care
program;

                                    (vii) knowingly providing to any person,
with respect to coverage under Medicare for inpatient hospital services,
information that is known or should be known to be false or misleading that
could reasonably be expected to influence the decision when to discharge a
patient from the Hospital;

                                    (viii) knowingly or willfully making or
causing to be made or inducing or seeking to induce the making of any false
statement or




                                       22
<PAGE>

representation (or omitting to state a material fact) required to be stated
therein (or necessary to make the statement contained therein not misleading) of
a material fact with respect to (a) the conditions or operations of a facility
in order that the facility may qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, or other state
health care program certification, or (b) information required to be provided
under ss.1124A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. ss.1320a-3a); or

                                    (ix) knowingly and willfully (a) charging
for any Medicaid service money or other consideration at a rate in excess of the
rates established by the state of Louisiana, or (b) charging, soliciting,
accepting or receiving, in addition to amounts paid by Medicaid, any gift money,
donation or other consideration (other than charitable, religious, or other
philanthropic contribution from an organization or from a person unrelated to
the patient) (1) as a precondition of admitting the patient to the Hospital, or
(2) as a requirement for the patient's continued stay in the Hospital;

                                    (x) knowingly or willfully executing, or
attempting to execute a scheme or artifice to defraud any health care benefit
program (as defined in 18 U.S.C. ss.24(b)) or to obtain by means of false or
fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, any of the money or property
owned by, or under the custody or control of, any health care benefit program,
in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits, items,
or services;

                                    (xi) knowingly and willfully embezzling,
stealing, or otherwise without authority converting to the use of any person
other than the rightful owner, or intentionally misapplying any of the monies,
funds, securities, premiums, credits, property, or other assets of a health care
benefit program;

                                    (xii) knowingly and willfully falsifying,
concealing, or covering up by any trick, scheme or device a material fact, or
making any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or
representation, or making or using any materially false writing or document
knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent
statement or entry in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care
benefits, items or services, in connection with a health care benefit program;

                                    (xiii) knowingly and willfully preventing,
obstructing, misleading, delaying, or attempting to prevent, obstruct, mislead,
or delay the communication of information or records relating to a violation of
a federal health care offense.



                                       23
<PAGE>

                           3.19 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed in
SCHEDULE 3.19:

                                    (a) Lessor is currently in material
                  compliance with all Environmental Laws (as defined below)
                  which compliance includes, but is not limited to, the
                  possession by Lessor of all permits and other governmental
                  authorization required under the Environmental Laws, and
                  material compliance in all respects with the terms and
                  conditions thereof;

                                    (b) Lessor has not stored, disposed of or
                  arranged for disposal of any Materials of Environmental
                  Concern (as defined below) on the Premises, except in material
                  compliance with the Environmental Laws;

                                    (c) Lessor has not received any
                  communication whatsoever (written or oral), whether from a
                  governmental authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise,
                  that alleges that Lessor is not in material compliance with
                  the Environmental Laws or the Medical Waste Laws, and there
                  are no circumstances that may prevent or interfere with
                  Lessor's compliance in the future. There are no Environmental
                  Claims (as defined below) pending or threatened against, or
                  which has been made known to, Lessor.

                                    (d) There have been no actions, activities,
                  circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including,
                  without limitation, the generation, handling, transportation,
                  treatment, storage, release, emission, discharge, presence or
                  disposal of any Materials of Environmental Concern, that could
                  form the basis of any Environmental Claims against Lessor.

                                    (e) Without in any way limiting the
                  generality of the foregoing, (i) all underground storage
                  tanks, and the capacity, uses, date of installation, and
                  contents of such tanks, located on the Premises are identified
                  SCHEDULE 3.19, (ii) there are no nor have there ever been any
                  collection dumps, pits, and disposal facilities or surface
                  impoundments located on the Premises except as identified in
                  Schedules, (iii) all underground storage tanks are in full
                  compliance with the Environmental Laws; (iv) there is no
                  asbestos contained in or forming part of the Premises, and (v)
                  no polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used or stored
                  on the Premises.

                                    (f) With respect to the generation,
                  transportation, treatment, storage and disposal or other
                  handling of Medical Waste, Lessor is presently in full
                  compliance with all Medical Waste Laws.




                                       24
<PAGE>

                           The following terms shall have the following
meanings:

                           ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM. The term "Environmental Claim"
means any claim, action, cause of action, investigation or notice (written or
oral) by any person or entity alleging potential liability (including, without
limitation, potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs,
governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages,
personal injuries, or penalties) arising out of, based on or resulting from, in
part or in whole, (a) the presence, or release into the environment, of any
Materials of Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned or
operated by Lessor or (b) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or
alleged violation, of the Environmental Laws or the Medical Waste Laws.

                           ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. The term "Environmental Laws"
means the federal, state (including specifically, but not by way of limitation,
the State of Louisiana), regional, county, parish, municipal, and local
environmental, health or safety laws, regulations, ordinances, rules and
policies and the common law relating to the use, refinement, handling,
treatment, removal, storage, production, manufacture, transportation, disposal,
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Materials of
Environmental Concern, or otherwise relating to protection of the environment
(including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, land
surface or subsurface strata), as the same may be amended or modified,
including, without limitation, the statutes listed below:

                           Federal Solid Waste Act as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C.ss.6901, ET SEQ.

                           Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C.ss.9601, ET SEQ.

                           Federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.ss.7401, ET SEQ.

                           Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Federal Clean
Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251, ET SEQ.

                           Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act,
Federal Pesticide Act of 1978, 7 U.S.C.ss.136, ET SEQ.

                           Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 48
U.S.C.ss.1801, ET SEQ.

                           Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, 15
U.S.C.ss.2601, ET SEQ.

                           Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.ss.300f, ET
SEQ.



                                       25
<PAGE>

                           "Materials of Environmental Concern" means any toxic
or hazardous waste, pollutants or substances, including, without limitations,
asbestos, radon, PCBs, petroleum products and byproducts, substances defined or
listed as "hazardous substance", "toxic substance", "toxic pollutant", "medical
waste" or similarly identified substance or mixture, in or pursuant to the
Environmental Laws or the Medical Waste Laws.

                           "Medical Waste" includes any substance, pollutant,
materials, or contaminant listed or regulated under the Medical Waste Tracking
Act of 1988, 42 U.S.C.ss.ss.6992, ET SEQ. ("MWTA"), 42 Part 72 and 49 CFRss.173,
386 and La. R. S. 40:4.

                           "Medical Waste Laws" means the following, including
regulations promulgated and orders issued thereunder, to the extent such Medical
Waste Laws regulate Medical Waste, all as may be amended from time to time: the
MWTA, La. R. S. 40:4, The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42
U.S.C.ss.6901 ET SEQ., the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Act, 42
U.S.C.ss. 7401 ET SEQ., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33
U.S.C.ss.ss.1251 ET SEQ., the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
of 1972, 33 U.S.C.ss.ss.1401 ET SEQ., Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations
contained in 10 CFR Part 20, Public Health Service regulations contained in 42
CFR Part 72, U.S. Department of Transportation regulations contained in 49 CFR
Parts 171-179, United States Postal Service regulations contained in 39 CFR Part
111, local environmental and safety laws, rules, regulations, and other legally
binding requirements, and any other federal, state, regional, county, municipal,
or other local laws, regulations, and ordinances insofar as they purport to
regulate Medical Waste, or impose requirements relating to Medical Waste.

                           3.20 HILL-BURTON FUNDS. To the extent funds have been
received on behalf of Lessor or any predecessor of Lessor to construct, improve
or acquire any of the Assets under the "Hill-Burton" Act, the financial
obligation in respect of such funds has been fully satisfied, and Lessee shall
not be required to pay, or otherwise satisfy, any amounts as a "recovery" or
otherwise as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Annex A.

                           3.21 TAXES. Lessor has filed all tax returns required
by law to be filed by or on behalf of Lessor and has paid all taxes, assessments
and other governmental charges shown thereon as due and payable, other than
those presently payable without penalty or interest. There are no liens with
respect to taxes (except for liens with respect to property taxes not yet due)
upon any of the Assets. Lessor has not conducted the Business or engaged in any
transaction which would cause the transaction contemplated hereby to be taxable
under the Louisiana sales and use tax laws. There is no dispute or claim
concerning any tax liability of Lessor either claimed or raised by any
governmental authority, or as to which Lessor has notice or knowledge thereof.




                                       26
<PAGE>

                           3.22 EQUIPMENT. Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.22,
all assets of Lessor consisting of equipment, whether reflected in the Financial
Statements or otherwise, are in good operating condition and repair, ordinary
wear and tear excepted. Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.22, the only
transactions related thereto since July 31, 2001 have been additions or
dispositions thereto in the ordinary course of business. All of such equipment
(except for leased items for which the lessors have valid security interests) at
the Closing will be free and clear of any lien or security interest or other
encumbrance, except for any equipment lease included within the Assumed Leases.

                           3.23 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as
and to the extent reflected or specifically reserved against (which reserves are
believed adequate in amount) in the Financial Statements, Lessor did not have,
at the date of such financial statements, any material liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise
and whether due or to become due) of a type required under generally accepted
accounting principles to be reflected or disclosed thereon or included therein
(including in any notes thereto), except for any liabilities which were incurred
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or have been
discharged or paid in full prior to the date hereof.

                           3.24 NO MISLEADING STATEMENTS. No representation or
warranty by Lessor contained in the Lease or this Annex A, and no statement
contained in any Schedule (including any supplement or amendment thereto) and
the documents to be delivered at the Closing by or on behalf of Lessor to Lessee
or any of its representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby (the Schedules, including any supplement or amendment thereto, and such
other documents are herein referred to, collectively, as the "Additional
Documents"), and no written statement made or delivered by Lessor in connection
with this Annex A or the transactions contemplated hereby, contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact. Copies of all documents
described on any Schedule hereto shall be true, correct and complete, and all
descriptions of such documents shall be true and complete.

                  4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LESSEE. As of the date
hereof Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor the following:

                           4.1 LESSEE CAPACITY. Lessee is a limited partnership
duly organized, validly existing and qualified to do business under the laws of
the State of Louisiana with all requisite power and authority to own, operate
and lease its properties.




                                       27
<PAGE>

                           4.2 POWERS; ABSENCE OF CONFLICTS WITH OTHER
AGREEMENTS, ETC.

                                    (a) The execution, delivery and performance
by Lessee of the Lease and this Annex A and the other agreements and
transactions contemplated hereby:

                                            (i) are within the power of Lessee,
                  are not in contravention of the terms of any resolution or act
                  or governing instrument or any amendments thereto of Lessee
                  and have been duly authorized by the general partner of
                  Lessee, as and to the extent required; and

                                            (ii) on the Closing Date, (A) will
                  not result in any breach of any indenture, agreement, lease or
                  instrument to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee is
                  bound, (B) will not constitute a violation of any judgment,
                  decree, or order of any court of competent jurisdiction
                  applicable to Lessee, (C) will not violate any law, rule or
                  regulation of any governmental authority applicable to Lessee
                  and (D) will not require any consent, approval or
                  authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing or
                  registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority,
                  except for any such breaches or violations as would not
                  individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
                  effect on Lessee's ability to perform its obligations under
                  the Lease and this Annex A.

                  5. REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF GUARANTOR As of the date
hereof Guarantor represents and warrants to Lessor the following:

                           5.1 GUARANTOR CAPACITY. Guarantor is a corporation
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with
all requisite power and authority to guarantee the financial obligations of
Lessee under the Lease and this Annex A.

                           5.2 POWERS; ABSENCE OF CONFLICTS WITH OTHER
AGREEMENTS, ETC.

                          (a) The execution, delivery and performance by
Guarantor of the Lease and this Annex A and the other agreements and
transactions contemplated hereby:

                                            (i) are within the power of
                  Guarantor, are not in contravention of the terms of any
                  resolution or act or governing instrument or any amendments
                  thereto of Guarantor and have been duly authorized by the
                  board of directors of Guarantor, as and to the extent
                  required; and



                                       28
<PAGE>

                                            (ii) on the Closing Date, (A) will
                  not result in any breach of any indenture, agreement, lease or
                  instrument to which Guarantor is a party or by which Guarantor
                  is bound, (B) will not constitute a violation of any judgment,
                  decree, or order of any court of competent jurisdiction
                  applicable to Guarantor, (C) will not violate any law, rule or
                  regulation of any governmental authority applicable to
                  Guarantor and (D) will not require any consent, approval or
                  authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing or
                  registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority,
                  except for any such breaches or violations as would not
                  individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
                  effect on Guarantor's ability to perform its obligations under
                  this Annex A.

                           5.3 FINANCIAL CAPABILITY. Guarantor has currently
available funds to fully fund Lessee's financial obligations under the Lease and
this Annex A.

                  6. COVENANTS OF LESSOR. Lessor covenants and agrees as
follows:

                           6.1 INFORMATION. Between the date of this Annex A and
the Closing Date, Lessor shall afford to the officers and authorized
representatives of Lessee access to the Hospital and to Lessor's books and
records and will furnish to Lessee such additional financial data and other
information relating to the Hospital or the Business as Lessee may from time to
time reasonably request. Lessor agrees to cooperate reasonably with Lessee in
Lessee's efforts (i) to make any required filings and to obtain any governmental
approvals necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby,
(ii) to respond to any governmental investigation of such transactions, and
(iii) to defend any legal or administrative proceedings challenging such
transactions. Lessor will, upon reasonable request, cooperate with Lessee,
Lessee's representatives and counsel in the preparation of any document or other
material which may be required by any governmental agency as a condition to or
result of the transaction herein contemplated. With respect to Confidential
Information provided by Lessor in connection with and relative to the
transactions contemplated by this Annex A, Lessee agrees to cause its officers,
employees, representatives and agents to hold all such Confidential Information
in strict confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative
process or, in the opinion of Lessee's counsel, by other requirements of law,
and, if requested, to return all originals and copies of any such written
Confidential Information to Lessor in the event for any reason the sale of the
Assets is not consummated. Subject to Lessee's disclosure obligations under
federal securities laws, any release to the public of information with respect
to the lease or sale by Lessor and purchase by Lessee of the Assets will be made
only in the form and manner approved by the parties and their respective
representatives. Lessee agrees that it will not use, and will not knowingly
permit others to use, any Confidential Information in a manner detrimental to
the Business or Lessor or to their competitive disadvantage. For the purposes
hereof, "Confidential



                                       29
<PAGE>

Information" shall mean all information of any kind concerning Lessor, obtained,
directly or indirectly, from Lessor in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Annex A except information (i) ascertainable or obtained
from public or published information, (ii) received from a third party not known
by Lessee to be under an obligation to Lessor to keep such information
confidential, (iii) which is or becomes known to the public (other than through
a breach of this Annex A), or (iv) which was in Lessee's possession prior to
disclosure thereof to Lessee in connection herewith.

                           6.2 OPERATIONS. Between the date of this Annex A and
the Closing Date, with respect to the ownership of the Assets and operation of
the Business, Lessor will:

                                    (a) carry on Lessor's business in
                  substantially the same manner as Lessor has heretofore and not
                  make any material change in personnel or operations, and not
                  make any change in finance or accounting policies;

                                    (b) maintain the assets of the Business in
                  good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear
                  excepted;

                                    (c) perform in all material respects
                  Lessor's obligations under agreements relating to or affecting
                  the Business;

                                    (d) keep in full force and effect present
                  insurance policies or other comparable insurance coverage;

                                    (e) use its reasonable best efforts to
                  maintain and preserve Lessor's business organization intact,
                  retain Lessor's present employees and maintain Lessor's
                  relationship with suppliers, customers and others having
                  business relations with Lessor;

                                    (f) within a reasonable time prior to
                  Closing, permit Lessee to make offers to any of Lessor's
                  personnel who work at the Hospital for employment by Lessee
                  subsequent to the Closing, which personnel shall be allowed to
                  accept or reject such offers without penalty;

                                    (g) cooperate with and assist Lessee in
                  continuing any health or other employee welfare benefit plans
                  Lessor maintains for the benefit of Hospital employees which
                  Lessee elects to continue as the successor employer, and to
                  the extent that Lessee does not elect to continue any such
                  plans, the Lessor shall terminate the participation of
                  employees hired by Lessee in such plans, except to the extent
                  continued participation therein may be required by COBRA, and




                                       30
<PAGE>

                  comply with the terms and conditions of such plans which
                  Lessee does not continue as the successor sponsor;

                                    (h) not effect, grant or pay any increase in
                  compensation to any employee, officer or director of Lessor
                  other than annual raises and bonuses to employees and officers
                  consistent with those effected, granted or paid in prior
                  years, provided however, the foregoing shall not prevent the
                  Lessor from terminating its employee pension benefit plans or
                  undertaking any actions related thereto.

                           6.3 CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as described in SCHEDULE
6.3, between the date of this Annex A and the Closing Date, Lessor will not,
without the prior written consent of Lessee:

                                    (a) sell or agree to sell any of the
                  Equipment or Assets except for the depletion of inventories
                  sold in the ordinary course of Lessor's business; or

                                    (b) engage in any transaction out of the
                  ordinary course of business, including any sale, transfer,
                  lease, encumbrance or granting of a security interest in any
                  portion of the Assets or Equipment (except as provided in
                  Section 6.3(a) above); or

                                    (c) acquire, or make any capital expenditure
                  in respect of, any additional items of property, plant or
                  equipment having a value in excess of $5,000 in the aggregate.

                           Lessor agrees to consult with Lessee with respect to
entering into, renewing or terminating any contract or lease relating to the
Business and will not enter into, renew or terminate any such contract or lease
without the prior written consent of Lessee.

                           6.4 CASUALTY. If any material part of the Hospital is
damaged so as to be rendered unusable or destroyed prior to Closing, Lessee may
elect to terminate the Lease and this Annex A and all obligations of the parties
hereunder pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Lease.

                           6.5 BEST EFFORTS TO CLOSE. Lessor shall use its best
efforts to proceed toward the Closing and to cause the conditions to Closing to
be met as soon as practicable and consistent with other terms contained herein.
Lessor shall notify Lessee as soon as practicable of any event or matter which
comes to Lessor's attention which may reasonably be expected to prevent the
conditions to Lessor's obligations being met.

                           6.6 FINAL COST REPORT. Within forty-five (45) days
after Closing, Lessor shall furnish to Lessee a copy of Lessor's final cost
report filed in



                                       31
<PAGE>

respect of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, or any successor governmental
program, reflecting consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                           6.7 CONSENTS. Lessor will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain all permits, approvals, authorizations and consents
of all third parties necessary in the reasonable opinion of Lessee, desirable
for the purpose of (i) consummating the transactions contemplated hereby, or
(ii) enabling the Lessee to continue to operate the Business in the ordinary
course after the Closing, provided that under no circumstances shall Lessor be
required to pay money or make any other financial concession, to obtain the
foregoing.

                           6.8 INSURANCE.

                                    (a) Lessor shall take all action reasonably
                  requested by Lessee to enable it to succeed to the Workmen's
                  Compensation and Unemployment Insurance ratings, insurance
                  policies, deposits and other interests of Lessor and other
                  ratings for insurance or other purposes established by Lessor.
                  Lessee shall not be obligated to succeed to any such rating,
                  insurance policy, deposit or other interest, except as it may
                  elect to do so.

                                    (b) Lessor will provide on the Closing Date
                  evidence of "tail" insurance, in form and substance acceptable
                  to the Lessee, to insure against professional liabilities of
                  the Hospital or the Business relating to all periods prior to
                  the Closing, the cost thereof to be paid for by the Lessor.
                  The minimum coverage under such "tail" insurance shall be
                  $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate.

                           6.9 NOTICE; EFFORTS TO REMEDY. Lessor shall promptly
give written notice to Lessee upon becoming aware of the impending occurrence of
any event which would cause or constitute a breach of any of the
representations, warranties or covenants of Lessor contained or referred to in
this Annex A and shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent or promptly
remedy the same.

                           6.10 NON-COMPETITION.

                                    (a) During the term of the Lease, Lessor
                  shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in the
                  construction or operation of any hospital or of any other
                  health care facility which provides services similar to the
                  services provided by the Hospital or (ii) acquire, lease or
                  own, serve as a member or be a shareholder of or otherwise
                  exercise management control over a hospital or of any other
                  health care facility which provides services similar to the
                  services provided by the Hospital, which, in respect of (i)
                  and (ii) above, is located within fifty (50) miles of the
                  Hospital. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessor shall not be
                  bound by this Section 6.10 to the extent that Lessee's
                  operation




                                       32
<PAGE>

                  of the Hospital, pursuant to the Lease and this Annex A, does
                  not fulfill the Lessor's public purpose of providing for the
                  operation of a hospital for the citizens of its district.

                                    (b) Lessor recognizes that the covenants in
                  this Section 6.10, and the territorial, time and other
                  limitations with respect thereto, are reasonable and properly
                  required for the adequate protection of the Lease of the
                  Premises and acquisition of the Assets by Lessee, and agrees
                  that such limitations are reasonable with respect to its
                  activities, business and public purpose. Lessor agrees and
                  acknowledges that the violation of the covenants or agreements
                  in this Section 6.10 would cause irreparable injury to Lessee
                  and that the remedy at law for any violation or threatened
                  violation thereof would be inadequate and that, in addition to
                  whatever other remedies may be available at law or in equity,
                  Lessee shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive
                  or other equitable relief without the necessity of proving
                  actual damages or posting bond. The parties hereto also waive
                  any requirement of proving actual damages in connection with
                  the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable
                  relief.

                                    (c) It is the intention of each party hereto
                  that the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall be enforced to
                  the fullest extent permissible under the laws and the public
                  policies of the State of Louisiana and of any other
                  jurisdiction in which enforcement may be sought, but that the
                  unenforceability (or the modification to conform with such
                  laws or public policies) of any provisions hereof shall not
                  render unenforceable or impair the remainder of this Annex A.
                  Accordingly, if any term or provision of this Section 6.10
                  shall be determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable,
                  either in whole or in part, this Annex A shall be deemed
                  amended to delete or modify, as necessary, the offending
                  provisions and to alter the balance of this Annex A in order
                  to render the same valid and enforceable to the fullest extent
                  permissible as aforesaid.

                           6.11 INDIGENT CARE; REIMBURSEMENT. For a period of
four (4) years following the Closing Date, Lessor shall pay to Lessee, on a
quarterly basis, up to $750,000 per year for the expense of providing
"uncompensated care." As used herein, "uncompensated care" shall mean care
provided to a patient for which the Lessee does not collect the full charges
therefor; provided, however, "uncompensated care" shall not include care
provided to any patient who is eligible for coverage under a governmental
third-party payment plan, including, without limitation, Medicare and Medicaid,
or who is covered by private insurance or enrolled in a managed care plan,
provided such insurance or managed care coverage is required to pay at least
sixty percent of the standard charges for such care. The payments shall
reimburse Lessee for the costs of such care in amounts equal to the charges by




                                       33
<PAGE>

the Hospital for treatment of indigent patients, which charges shall be the same
as those charged to third party payors for such services. Lessee shall be solely
responsible for the expenses associated with indigent care to the extent that
the expenses exceed $750,000 per year.

                           6.12 BOND INDEBTEDNESS. Lessor shall disclose in
writing to Lessee as soon as practicable but no less than 10 days prior to the
Closing Date the amount of the outstanding indebtedness of Lessor to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration represented by those certain
revenue bonds secured by mortgage of the Premises.

                           6.13 SCHEDULES. As of the date of this Annex A,
certain Schedules contemplated by the Lease and this Annex A have not been
provided by Lessor, and of those that have been delivered, some may require
amendments or supplements prior to Closing. Prior to Closing, Lessor shall
promptly prepare and deliver to Lessee any Schedules not in the possession of
Lessee as of the date of this Annex A, as well as any supplements or amendments
to those previously provided, which supplements or amendments are necessary to
correct any information in the Schedules which has been rendered inaccurate
thereby; provided, however, that upon delivery of any such Schedule that Lessee
reasonably finds unacceptable or supplement or amendment to a Schedule which
discloses any matter, condition or circumstance which has or may have an adverse
effect upon the Assets, the Hospital, the Business or Lessee's rights hereunder,
Lessee shall have the right to terminate this Annex A by notifying Lessor of its
election so to terminate within five (5) business days of Lessee's receipt of
any such Schedule, supplement or amendment; provided, further, however, in the
event Lessee so notifies Lessor of its election so to terminate this Agreement,
Lessor shall, upon providing written notice to Lessee of its intent to cure
within three (3) business days of its receipt of Lessee's election to terminate,
be entitled to thirty (30) days to cure any such matter, condition or
circumstance so disclosed by such Schedule, supplement or amendment.
Furthermore, within five (5) business days of Lessee's receipt of any Schedule,
supplement or amendment to the Schedules, Lessee shall send Lessor a notice
informing Lessor whether Lessee accepts or rejects such Schedule, supplement or
amendment. If Lessee accepts such Schedule, supplement or amendment or fails to
provide Lessor with the required notice, the Schedule shall become incorporated
into this Annex A or, with respect to a supplement or amendment, such Schedule
shall be modified as contemplated by such supplement or amendment. If Lessor is
unable to cure such matter, condition or circumstance to Lessee's reasonable
satisfaction and if Lessee ultimately rejects any Schedule, then this Annex A
shall be terminated immediately; provided, however, if such rejection is of any
supplement or amendment to the Schedules, then for purposes of determining the
rights of Lessor Indemnified Parties pursuant to Section 8.2 below, this Annex A
shall not be terminated and




                                       34
<PAGE>

                           the Schedules shall be deemed to have been unaffected
by any such supplement or amendment and Lessee shall be entitled to pursue all
remedies pursuant to Section 8.2.

                  7. COVENANTS OF LESSEE. Lessee covenants and agrees as
follows:

                           7.1 BEST EFFORTS TO CLOSE. Lessee shall use its best
efforts to proceed toward the Closing and to cause the conditions to Closing to
be met as soon as practicable and consistent with other terms contained herein.
Lessee shall notify Lessor as soon as practicable of any event or matter which
comes to Lessee's attention which may reasonably be expected to prevent the
conditions to Lessee's obligations being met.

                           7.2 CONSENTS. Lessee will use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain all permits, approvals, authorizations and consents of all
third parties necessary in the reasonable opinion of Lessee, desirable for the
purpose of (i) consummating the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii)
enabling the Lessee to continue to operate the Business in the ordinary course
after the Closing.

                           7.3 NOTICE; EFFORTS TO REMEDY. Lessee shall promptly
give written notice to Lessor upon becoming aware of the impending occurrence of
any event which would cause or constitute a breach of any of the
representations, warranties or covenants of Lessee contained or referred to in
this Annex A and shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent or promptly
remedy the same.

                           7.4 EMPLOYEES.

                                    (a) SCHEDULE 3.12 contains a list of all of
                  Lessor's employees who perform services at or on behalf of the
                  Hospital, their current salary or wage rates, department and a
                  job title or other summary of the responsibilities of such
                  employees. Lessee agrees to submit to Lessor at least 30
                  calendar days prior to Closing a list (the "Accepted Employee
                  List") of the Hospital's employees to whom Lessee in its sole
                  discretion, shall offer employment. As of the Closing Date,
                  Lessor shall terminate the employment of all employees of
                  Lessor at the Hospital, and Lessee agrees that, as of the
                  Closing Date, Lessee shall offer employment to all employees
                  of the Hospital on the Accepted Employee List. Such offers
                  shall be for positions comparable to those enjoyed by the
                  employees immediately prior to Closing. Those employees
                  offered employment shall receive compensation comparable to
                  regional scales for similarly situated employees and shall be
                  entitled to participate in Lessee's benefit programs on the
                  same basis as other employees of Lessee or Lessee's
                  affiliates. Such employees who accept an offer will be
                  credited with their service with Lessor and such service will
                  be applied to all of Lessee's employee benefit programs to the




                                       35
<PAGE>

                  extent legally permissible. In addition, Lessee shall credit
                  such employees with any vacation or sick days accrued, but not
                  taken or otherwise compensated by Lessor while such employee
                  was employed by Lessor. In addition, Lessee shall provide
                  severance packages to all employees identified on SCHEDULE
                  3.12 that Lessee chooses not to offer employment, and Lessee
                  shall provide to Lessor a description of the benefits under
                  such severance packages at the time that it submits the
                  Accepted Employee List to Lessor. Notwithstanding the
                  foregoing and subject to the accuracy of SCHEDULE 3.12, Lessee
                  shall retain and continue to employ that number of employees
                  as shall be necessary to avoid liability of Lessor under the
                  Workers Adjustment Retaining and Notification Act (the "WARN
                  Act") and, on and after the Closing Date, Lessee shall be
                  responsible for any and all notices required with respect to
                  Lessee's termination of employees and any other liabilities or
                  obligations arising under the WARN Act in respect of such
                  employees. Furthermore, Lessee shall indemnify Lessor against
                  any claims made against Lessor as a result of Lessee's
                  staffing of the Hospital. Nothing herein shall be deemed
                  either to affect or to limit in any way the management
                  prerogatives of Lessee with respect to employees, or to create
                  or to grant to such employees any third party beneficiary
                  rights or claims or causes of action of any kind or nature.

                                    (b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the
                  contrary, Lessee shall have no obligation to make such offers
                  of employment to employees of Lessor who are not actively
                  working as of Closing whether as a result of a pre-approved
                  leave of absence or otherwise (the "Inactive Employees"). Upon
                  the end of an Inactive Employee's pre-approved leave of
                  absence or upon release by an Inactive Employee's physician to
                  return to work, such Inactive Employee shall notify Lessee of
                  its desire to receive an offer of employment from Lessee (the
                  "Offer Request"). In its sole discretion, Lessee may offer
                  employment to such Inactive Employee in accordance with
                  Section 7.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
                  Lessee receives an Offer Request more than ninety (90) days
                  after the Closing from an Inactive Employee whose leave of
                  absence is not covered by the Veterans Reemployment Rights
                  Act, (i) Lessee shall not be obligated to offer employment to
                  such Inactive Employee and (ii) the terms and conditions of
                  any such offer of employment shall not be required to conform
                  to Section 7.4.(a).

                                    (c) As soon as practicable after Closing,
                  Lessor shall provide Lessee with all necessary payroll records
                  for the calendar year in which the Closing occurs so that
                  Lessee may furnish a Form W-2 to such employees and credit
                  such employees with any vacation days, sick days or paid time
                  off accrued, but not used or paid by Lessor, while




                                       36
<PAGE>

                  such employee was employed by Lessor. The Form W-2 provided to
                  employees of Lessor who accept employment with Lessee
                  (hereinafter referred to as "Hired Employees") shall disclose
                  all wages and other compensation paid to them (and amounts
                  withheld therefrom) by Lessor and Lessee in the calendar year.

                                    (d) With respect to any retirement plan
                  maintained or contributed to by the Lessor, whether or not
                  qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, the account
                  balances of the employees of the Lessor shall become 100%
                  vested on or prior to the Closing Date, and such account
                  balances shall be held and/or distributed to the employees of
                  the Lessor in accordance with the terms of the applicable
                  Employee Benefit Plan and the law. Active participation of
                  Hired Employees in Lessor's retirement plans shall cease as of
                  the Closing Date.

                                    (e) Hired Employees participating in
                  Lessee's medical benefit plans shall not have their benefits
                  subject to any exclusions for any pre-existing conditions (to
                  the extent such exclusions did not apply under Lessor's
                  medical benefit plan), and credit shall be received for any
                  deductibles or out-of-pocket amounts previously paid under the
                  Lessor's plans for the calendar years in which such amounts
                  were paid. As soon as practicable after the Closing Date,
                  Lessor shall deliver to Lessee a list of the Hired Employees
                  who had credited service under Lessee's Employee Benefit
                  Plans, together with each such Hired Employee's service,
                  co-payment amounts, and deductibles paid under such plans.

                                    (f) Lessor shall maintain its existing
                  health benefits for all Hired Employees for a period ending at
                  midnight on the Closing Date. Lessor shall take all necessary
                  actions to cause Lessor's reinsurer with respect to the health
                  benefits to cover all claims arising prior to midnight on the
                  Closing Date that are incurred by Hired Employees.

                                    (g) Nothing in the Lease or this Annex A
                  shall cause duplicate benefits to be paid or provided to or
                  with respect to a Hired Employee under any employee benefit
                  policies, plans, arrangements, programs, practices, or
                  agreements. References herein to a benefit with respect to a
                  Hired Employee shall include, where applicable, benefits with
                  respect to any eligible dependents and beneficiaries of such
                  Hired Employee under the same employee benefit policy, plan,
                  arrangement, program, practice or agreement.

                           7.5 HOSPITAL BOARD. During the term of the Lease,
Lessee shall appoint and maintain a Board of Trustees (the "Hospital Board"),
which shall



                                       37
<PAGE>

include (i) the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital; (ii) the Chief of the
Medical Staff of the Hospital; (iii) a member of the Board of Commissioners of
Lessor; (iv) physician members who are members of the active medical staff of
the Hospital; and (v) community business leaders. The Hospital Board shall be
governed by Bylaws substantially in the form attached hereto as APPENDIX 7.5,
and shall: (a) adopt a vision, mission and values statement for the Hospital;
(b) participate in the development and review of operating and capital budgets
and facility planning; (c) participate in the selection of and conduct periodic
evaluations of the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital; (d) monitor and
evaluate activities required by DHH, JCAHO, JCAHO Accreditation Standards and by
other applicable law; (e) support physician recruitment efforts; (f) evaluate
practitioner performance through valid and reliable measurement systems based
when appropriate on objective, clinically-sound criteria; (g) review and
consider for approval changes in the health care services provided at the
Hospital; (h) monitor clinical aspects of providing quality health care; and (i)
assist in the development and adoption of criteria, policies and procedures
regarding appointment, reappointment and alteration of medical staff status,
granting clinical privileges, disciplinary action and other matters referred by
the medical staff board. Any policies, procedures, guidelines and directives
adopted by the Hospital Board shall be consistent with the foregoing
responsibility and with the policies and directives of Lessor. Lessee shall keep
the Hospital Board informed of matters relating to the operation of the
Hospital, including without limitation providing the Hospital Board with copies
of its capital budgets, strategic plans, licensing and accreditation surveys,
reviews and reports, and summaries of its purchases of furniture, fixtures and
equipment and the costs of any leasehold improvements.

                           7.6 INDIGENT CARE/CONTINUATION OF SERVICES.

                                    (a) Lessee agrees it shall cause the
                  Hospital to treat any patient presented to Hospital's
                  emergency room who has a medical emergency or who, in the
                  judgment of the attending emergency room physician has an
                  immediate emergency need. Lessee shall cause the Hospital to
                  provide such medical care to those individuals who do not have
                  the ability to pay for such services, which shall include,
                  without limitation, those patients who are not covered or are
                  not eligible for state or federal programs, such as Medicare
                  and Medicaid. In addition, Lessee will not deny any patient
                  treatment because of age, race or gender. Lessee shall provide
                  quarterly reports to Lessor that summarize in reasonable
                  detail the services provided to indigent patients and the
                  charges associated therewith.

                                    (b) During the Term of the Lease, Lessee
                  shall continue to operate the Hospital in a manner necessary
                  to maintain accreditation by JCAHO or, in the event the JCAHO
                  no longer accredits hospitals, any other comparable
                  accrediting organization that




                                       38
<PAGE>

                  offers "deemed status" under the Medicare programs and
                  continue all essential services provided by the Hospital, as
                  set forth on SCHEDULE 7.6(B). Lessee shall not discontinue any
                  service, without the approval of the Lessor. In the event
                  Lessee believes that there no longer exists a community need
                  for one or more hospital services, then it shall have the
                  right to petition the Lessor for the right to terminate such
                  service and Lessor shall fairly consider any such request.

                           7.7 LICENSES; PERMITS; INSURANCE. Lessee shall
promptly following the execution hereof apply for and obtain and maintain all
licenses, permits, other certificates and insurance necessary and required to
operate, manage and maintain the Hospital in compliance with all applicable
Legal Requirements, as contemplated herein during the term of the Lease. Lessee
also shall cause the Hospital to maintain its participation in the Medicare and
Medicaid programs.

                           7.8 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.

                                    (a) During the first eighteen (18) months of
                  the Term, Lessee shall expend a minimum of Eight Million
                  Dollars ($8,000,000) on permanent improvements, repairs and
                  renovations to the Hospital, including, without limitation,
                  those set forth on SCHEDULE 7.8. All such improvements,
                  repairs and renovations shall be approved by a qualified
                  architect applying generally acceptable architectural
                  practices.

                                    (b) Over the remaining Term, Lessee shall
                  make additional improvements to the Hospital which will
                  average One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000)
                  per year. All such expenditures shall be approved by a
                  qualified architect applying generally acceptable
                  architectural practices.

                           7.9 PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT. Lessee shall use its best
efforts to recruit appropriately qualified physicians to the Hospital during the
first seven years of the Term and at a cost of not less than Six Million Dollars
($6,000,000). Recruitment costs shall include: (i) travel expenses of
physicians; (ii) costs associated with interviews; (iii) funds for which Lessee
has not been reimbursed by a physician when a physician is obligated to repay
amounts advanced pursuant to an income guarantee, provided Lessee first makes
demand of such physician for such repayment and such physician fails to repay
such obligation; and (iv) funds advanced for purchasing equipment for physician
offices. Such recruitment expenses, however, shall not include any amounts
reflecting an allocation of the internal costs of Lessee incurred in connection
with the recruiting process.

                           7.10 HOSPITAL AUXILIARY. Lessee shall support and
provide appropriate space for the Lakewood Medical Center Auxiliary, a
tax-exempt




                                       39
<PAGE>

organization independent of the Hospital (the "Auxiliary"). Lessee shall allow
the Auxiliary to operate a gift shop in the Hospital and will provide additional
space for the Auxiliary to hold meetings.

                           7.11 HOSPITAL NAME. Lessee agrees to use the name
"Lakewood Medical Center" throughout the term of the Lease, unless a different
name is mutually agreed upon by the parties.

                           7.12 PHYSICIAN CONTRACTS. Lessee agrees to assume the
contracts of all hospital-based physicians, subject to legal and regulatory
review.

                           7.13 NO INDEBTEDNESS. Except to the extent necessary
to finance capital improvements to the Hospital or pursuant to the Credit
Facility of Province, Lessee agrees not to mortgage, pledge or otherwise
encumber its leasehold interest in the Premises.

                           7.14 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. Except as otherwise
provided herein and in the Lease, Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense be
entitled to the profits and benefits from the operation of the Hospital. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Lessee shall have full and complete
authority and discretion: (i) for the management, supervision, and overall
operation of the Hospital for the purposes stated herein, (ii) to conduct the
day-to-day business, operations and affairs of the Hospital, and (iii) in
implementing the strategic operational direction of the Hospital. In all events,
Lessee's operation of the Hospital shall not cause the Hospital (i) to lose its
license, or (ii) to lose its public purpose as defined under Louisiana law, and
all duties and responsibilities herein and in the Lease to be performed by
Lessee shall be performed in compliance with all Legal Requirements. Lessee
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Hospital not to lose its
accreditation as a general hospital by JCAHO.

                           7.15 BILLINGS AND COLLECTION. Lessee shall be solely
responsible for all billing and collection activities necessary and required for
its operation of the Hospital. Lessee, in its sole discretion, shall establish
records, accounts and practicing guidelines, including, without limitation,
setoffs for its own purposes from the accounts, the placement of accounts for
collection, settlement and compromise of claims and institution of legal action
for recovery of accounts, for such billing and collection activities.

                  8. INDEMNIFICATION.

                           8.1 INDEMNITY BY LESSEE. From and after Closing,
Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lessor and its respective
officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, "Lessee Indemnified
Parties") from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, demands,
claims, suits, actions, judgments, causes of action, assessments, costs and
expenses, including, without limitation, interest, penalties, attorneys' fees,
any and all expenses incurred in




                                       40
<PAGE>

investigating, preparing and defending against any litigation, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement
of any claim or litigation (collectively, "Damages"), asserted against,
resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred or suffered by any of them, directly or
indirectly, as a result or arising from the following:

                                    (i) any inaccuracy in or breach or
                  nonfulfillment of any of the representations, warranties,
                  covenants or agreements made by Lessee in the Lease, this
                  Annex A, or the other agreements contemplated hereby;

                                    (ii) any liability imposed on Lessor to the
                  extent such liability has been expressly assumed by Lessee
                  pursuant to this Annex A or the Assignment and Undertaking;

                                    (iii) any liabilities arising from the
                  operation of the Hospital on or after the Commencement Date;
                  and

                                    (iv) any misrepresentation in or any
                  omission from any certificate or other document (collectively,
                  the "Additional Documents") furnished or to be furnished by or
                  on behalf of Lessee under this Annex A.

                  To be entitled to such indemnification, Lessee Indemnified
Party shall give Lessee reasonably prompt written notice of any breach or of the
assertion by a third party of any claim with respect to which Lessee Indemnified
Party may bring a claim for indemnification hereunder, and in all events must
have supplied such notice to Lessee within the period for the defense of such
claims by Lessee. Lessee shall have the right, at its own expense, and within 10
days of its receipt of the foregoing notice, to assume by defense and litigate
any such third party claim, and such Lessee Indemnified Party shall cooperate in
good faith with Lessee to permit Lessee to do so. In the event Lessee declines
or fails to assume the defense, then the Lessee Indemnified Party may conduct
the defense of the third party claim. Lessee Indemnified Party shall not settle
or compromise any claim or matter for which an indemnity would be payable by a
Lessee hereunder without the prior written consent of such Lessee, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                           8.2 INDEMNITY BY LESSOR. From and after the Closing,
Lessor (the "Lessor Indemnifying Party") shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Lessee and its respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders
and agents (collectively, the "Lessor Indemnified Parties") from and against any
and all Damages asserted against, resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred or
suffered by any of them, directly or indirectly, as a result or arising out from
the following:

                                    (i) any inaccuracy in or breach or
                  nonfulfillment of any of the representations, warranties,
                  covenants or agreements made by




                                       41
<PAGE>

                  Lessor in the Lease, this Annex A or the other agreements
                  contemplated hereby;

                                    (ii) any liability of Lessor or liability,
                  including without limitation professional malpractice or
                  general liability claims and claims of liability under either
                  the Medicare or Medicaid programs, arising out of the
                  operation of the Business prior to the Closing which is
                  imposed on Lessee, except to the extent such liability has
                  been expressly assumed by Lessee pursuant to this Annex A or
                  the Assumption Agreements; and

                                    (iii) any misrepresentation in any
                  certificate or other document (collectively, the "Additional
                  Documents") furnished or to be furnished by or on behalf of
                  Lessor under this Annex A.

                  To be entitled to such indemnification, a Lessor Indemnified
Party shall give Lessor Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice of
any breach or the assertion by a third party of any claim with respect to which
a Lessor Indemnified Party may bring a claim for indemnification hereunder, and
in all events must have supplied such notice to Lessor Indemnifying Party within
the applicable period for defense of such claims by Lessor Indemnifying Party.
At the request of Lessor Indemnifying Party, Lessor Indemnified Party shall
contest in good faith by appropriate proceedings any claim or matter for which
an indemnity may be payable by Lessor Indemnifying Party hereunder. In the
alternative, Lessor Indemnifying Party shall also have the right, at its own
expense, and at its option, to contest any such third party claim, and such
Lessor Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith with Lessor Indemnifying
Party to permit Lessor Indemnifying Party to do so. Should such Lessor
Indemnified Party settle or compromise any claim or matter for which an
indemnity may be payable by Lessor Indemnifying Party hereunder without the
prior written consent of Lessor Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, Lessor Indemnifying Party shall be relieved of any
liability hereunder with respect to such claim or matter.

                  The amount of any Damages shall be reduced or reimbursed, as
the case may be, by any amount received by Lessor Indemnified Parties with
respect thereto under any insurance coverage or from any other party alleged to
be responsible therefor. Lessor Indemnified Parties shall use reasonable efforts
(but not including instituting litigation or other formal adversarial
proceedings) to collect any amounts available under such insurance coverage and
from such other party alleged to have responsibility. If a Lessor Indemnified
Party receives an amount under insurance coverage or from such other party with
respect to Damages at any time subsequent to any indemnification provided by
Lessor pursuant to this Section 8.2, then such Lessor Indemnified Party shall
promptly reimburse Lessor




                                       42
<PAGE>

for any payment made or expense incurred by Lessor in connection with providing
such indemnification up to such amount received by the Lessor Indemnified Party.

                  In addition to the foregoing, if any third party payor deducts
any amount from payments due Lessor Indemnified Party in respect of claims
against or amounts owed by Lessor Indemnifying Party, Lessor Indemnifying Party
will promptly reimburse Lessor Indemnified Party for the amounts so deducted
within ten (10) days after written demand therefor by Lessor Indemnified Party.
Lessor Indemnified Party agrees to give prompt notice to Lessor Indemnifying
Party of the assertion of any claim, formal or informal, by any third party
payor for which, if deducted by such third party payor, Lessor Indemnified Party
would be entitled to reimbursement by Lessor Indemnifying Party hereunder and
will cooperate in good faith, at no out-of-pocket cost to Lessor Indemnified
Party, with Lessor Indemnifying Party to permit Lessor Indemnifying Party to
mitigate the amount of any such claim by any such third party payor.

                  9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF LESSEE. The
obligations of Lessee hereunder are subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to
the Closing Date, of the following conditions unless waived in writing by
Lessee:

                           9.1 REPRESENTATIONS/WARRANTIES. The representations
and warranties of Lessor contained in the Lease and this Annex A shall be true
and correct as of the Closing Date; and the covenants and conditions of the
Lease and this Annex A to be complied with or performed by Lessor on or before
the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof shall have been duly complied with
and performed.

                           9.2 OPINION OF LESSOR'S COUNSEL. Lessee shall have
received an opinion from Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre
L.L.P., counsel to Lessor, dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to Lessee,
to the effect that: (i) Lessor is a political subdivision of the State of
Louisiana; (ii) Lessor has full power and authority to make, execute, deliver
and perform the Lease and this Annex A, and all proceedings required to be taken
by Lessor to authorize the execution and performance of the Lease and this Annex
A, and to sell, convey, assign, transfer and deliver the Assets as herein
contemplated have all been duly taken and in accordance with any applicable
Sunshine Law; (iii) the Lease and this Annex A and all, assignments and other
instruments of conveyance and transfer delivered hereunder constitute the valid
and binding obligations of Lessor, enforceable in accordance with their terms
(provided that no opinion shall be expressed as to enforceability of any
non-competition covenant), subject to bankruptcy and other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights and debtors' relief generally and subject to general
principles of equity; (iv) neither the execution and delivery of the Lease and
this Annex A nor the consummation of the asset sale transaction herein
contemplated conflicts with, or results in a breach of, any resolution or act or
governing instrument of Lessor or any material agreement or



                                       43
<PAGE>

instrument known to Lessor's counsel to which Lessor is a party or by which
Lessor or the Assets are bound; and (v) such other matters as may be reasonably
requested by Lessee.

                           9.3 PRE-CLOSING CONFIRMATIONS. Lessee shall have
obtained documentation or other evidence confirming the following:

                                    (a) Effective transfer or reissuance of the
                  appropriate licensure of the Hospital if and to the extent
                  required by the State of Louisiana for its continued operation
                  after Closing; and

                                    (b) Medicare and Medicaid certification of
                  the Hospital if and to the extent required for its continued
                  operation after Closing.

                           9.4 ACTION OR PROCEEDING. No action, proceeding,
investigation or administrative hearing before a court or any other governmental
agency or body shall have been instituted or threatened against Lessor or Lessee
which seeks injunctive relief in anticipation of the sale of the Assets and may
reasonably be expected to prohibit the sale of the Assets to Lessee or seeks
damages in a material amount by reason of the consummation of such sale.

                           9.5 CONSENTS; LICENSES. All notices to, and consents,
authorizations, approvals and waivers from, third parties required for Lessor to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or required in connection with
Lessor's assignment and Lessee's assumption of any Contract or Lease shall have
been made and obtained, except for any transfers, the failure to obtain of which
would have a material adverse effect on the Hospital. A referendum authorizing
the Lessor to lease the Premises and sell the Assets to Lessee shall have been
passed by a majority of the qualified electors of Lessor, and the Attorney
General of the State of Louisiana shall have approved the lease of the Premises
and the sale of the Assets. Lessee shall have reason to believe that the
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals shall issue to Lessee promptly
after the Closing a license to operate the Hospital and all presently authorized
supplemental and special services shall be so authorized for Lessee on and after
Closing. In addition, Lessee shall have received reasonably satisfactory
evidence that, following Closing, Lessee shall not be subject to property taxes
during the first ten years of the term of the Lease.

                           9.6 PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS SATISFACTORY. Lessee
shall have received such certificates, opinions and other documents as it or its
counsel may reasonably require in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to it and its counsel. All proceedings in connection with the
purchase of the Assets set forth herein and all certificates and documents
delivered to Lessee pursuant to this Annex A shall be reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to Lessee and its counsel acting reasonably and in good
faith.



                                       44
<PAGE>

                           9.7 DELIVERY OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS. At the Closing,
Lessor shall have delivered to Lessee all documents, agreements and instruments
contemplated by Section 2.2.

                           9.8 ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY. Lessee shall have received
environmental assessments, satisfactory in form and substance to Lessee in its
sole discretion, with respect to the real property.

                           9.9 ADVERSE CHANGES. There shall not have occurred
after July 31, 2001, any change in or effect on the Hospital that has had or, is
likely to have a material adverse effect to its business, prospects, operations,
properties, assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise).

                           9.10 BOND FINANCING. Lessor's bond indebtedness
secured by the Premises shall have been paid off or defeased to the satisfaction
of Lessee.

                           9.11 APPROVAL OF LEASES. Lessee shall have reviewed
and approved all Assumed Leases and the lease documents for any other lease or
tenancies referred to on SCHEDULE 3.6 (the "Rent Roll").

                           9.12 TAIL INSURANCE. Lessor shall have provided proof
of claims made insurance as provided in Section 6.8.

                           9.13 TITLE COMMITMENT, POLICY AND SURVEY.

                                    (a) At least thirty (30) days prior to
                  Closing, Lessee shall have received a title commitment (the
                  "Title Commitment") from a nationally recognized title company
                  selected by Lessee (the "Title Company") with reinsurance
                  through such title reinsurers and in such amounts as is
                  acceptable to Lessee, together with legible copies of all
                  exceptions to title referenced therein. The Title Commitment
                  shall set forth the state of title to the Premises, together
                  with all exceptions or conditions to such title, including,
                  without limitation, all easements, restrictions,
                  rights-of-way, covenants, reservations, and all other
                  encumbrances affecting the Premises which would appear in an
                  owner's title policy, if issued. The Title Commitment shall
                  contain the express commitment of the Title Company to issue
                  at the Closing, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably
                  possible, one or more owners' title policies (collectively,
                  the "Title Policy") to Lessee in an amount satisfactory to
                  Lessee. The Title Policy (a) shall insure leasehold title to
                  the Premises in Lessee, subject only to such matters as may be
                  acceptable to Lessee in its sole discretion (the "Permitted
                  Encumbrances"), and (b) shall include such reinsurance
                  pursuant to reinsurance agreement with direct access to the
                  reinsurers as Lessee may reasonably require. The standard
                  printed exceptions to such policies shall be modified or
                  endorsed as follows: (a) the standard



                                       45
<PAGE>

                  printed exception for taxes shall be limited to taxes for
                  2001, not yet due and payable, (b) the standard printed
                  exception for rights of parties in possession shall be limited
                  to "rights of parties in possession under recorded or
                  unrecorded leases, if any, and (c) the standard printed
                  exception for discrepancies, conflicts, or shortages in area
                  or boundary lines, or any encroachments, or protrusions or any
                  overlapping of improvements shall be modified to delete all of
                  the foregoing except "shortages in area." The Title Policy
                  shall contain such endorsements as Lessee requires. The Title
                  Commitment and the Title Policy will be furnished to the
                  Lessee at Lessee's sole cost and expense.

                                    (b) Survey. No later than twenty (20) days
                  prior to the Closing Date, Lessee shall have received three
                  (3) copies of one or more surveys of the Premises (whether one
                  or more, the "Survey"). The Survey shall, at a minimum: (a) be
                  currently dated (which may include a current re-certification
                  of a previously prepared survey plat); (b) show the location
                  on the Premises of all improvements, fences, evidences of
                  abandoned fences, lakes, ponds, creeks, streams, rivers,
                  easements, roads, and right-of-way; (c) identify all easements
                  and rights-of-way by reference to the recording information
                  applicable to the documents creating such easements or
                  rights-of-way; (d) show any encroachments onto the Premises
                  from any adjacent property, any encroachments from the
                  Premises onto adjacent property, and any encroachments into
                  any easement or restricted area within the Premises; (e)
                  locate all existing improvements (such as buildings, power
                  lines, fences, and the like); (f) locate all dedicated public
                  streets or other roadways providing access to the Premises,
                  including all curb cuts and all alleys; (g) locate all
                  set-back lines and similar restrictions covering the Premises
                  or any part thereof and any violations of such restrictions;
                  and (h) show thereon a legal description of the boundaries of
                  the Premises by metes and bounds or other appropriate legal
                  description. The Survey shall otherwise be in accordance with
                  minimum technical standards for surveys of comparable property
                  as set forth in all applicable laws, regulations, or
                  statements of professional surveying standards. The Survey
                  shall contain the surveyor's certification to Lessee, the
                  Title Company and Lessee's lender that: (i) the Survey was
                  made on the ground; (ii) there are no visible or recorded
                  easements, discrepancies, conflicts, encroachments or
                  overlapping of improvements except as shown on the Survey;
                  (iii) the Survey correctly shows all visible or recorded
                  easements or rights of way across the Premises or any other
                  easements or rights of way of which the Surveyor has been
                  advised, including, without limitation, those matters
                  affecting title reflected in the Title Commitment; (iv) the
                  Survey correctly shows the location of all buildings,
                  structures and




                                       46
<PAGE>

                  other improvements situated on the Premises; (v) the Survey
                  conforms to all applicable minimum guidelines for surveys of
                  comparable property as set forth in applicable laws,
                  regulations and ALTA/ACSM professional standards; (vi) all
                  streets abutting the Premises and all means of ingress to and
                  egress from the Premises have been completed, dedicated and
                  accepted for public maintenance by the city, town or other
                  appropriate political subdivision in which the Premises is
                  located; (vii) except as shown thereon, the Premises are not
                  located within the 100-year flood plain or other flood hazard
                  area; (viii) the Survey is a true, correct and accurate
                  representation of the Premises; and (ix) such other matters as
                  may be required by the Title Company to allow it to issue the
                  Title Policy or Lessee's lender to allow it to make the loan.

                                    (c) Unpermitted Exceptions and Survey
                  Defects. If (i) the Title Commitment discloses a title
                  exception other than a Permitted Encumbrance (an "Unpermitted
                  Exception") or (ii) the Survey discloses an encroachment or
                  overlap or any other matter which renders title to the
                  Premises unmarketable or reflects that any utility service to
                  the improvements or access thereto does not lie wholly within
                  the Premises or an unencumbered easement for the benefit of
                  the Premises or reflects any other matter adversely affecting
                  the use or improvements of the Premises ( a "Survey Defect"),
                  then Lessor shall have thirty (30) days from the date of
                  delivery thereof to have the Unpermitted Exception removed
                  from the Title Commitment or the Survey Defect corrected or
                  insured over by an appropriate title insurance endorsement,
                  all in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Lessee, and in any
                  such event the Closing shall be extended, if necessary, to the
                  date which is five (5) business days after the expiration of
                  such 30 day period. If Lessor fails to have any Unpermitted
                  Exception removed or any Survey Defect corrected or otherwise
                  insured over to the reasonable satisfaction of Lessee within
                  the time specified therefor, Lessee, at its sole option, upon
                  not less than three (3) days' prior written notice to Lessor,
                  may elect to:

                                    (1) Take leasehold title to the subject
                           parcel of Premises as it then is;

                                    (2) Waive such Unpermitted Encumbrance or
                           Survey Defect; or

                                    (3) Terminate the Lease and this Annex A and
                           all of Lessee's obligations hereunder and thereunder.




                                       47
<PAGE>

                           9.14 EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF LEASE. Lessee, Lessor
and Parent shall have executed the Lease, and Lessee and Parent shall have
received an originally-executed copy of the Lease.

                           9.15 SATISFACTORY DUE DILIGENCE; DELIVERY OF
SCHEDULES. Lessee shall have completed, and in its sole discretion be satisfied
with the result of, its due diligence review of the operations and financial
condition of the Lessor. The Lessor shall have delivered to Lessee the Schedules
called for by this Agreement, and such Schedules shall be satisfactory to the
Lessee in its sole discretion.

                  10. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF LESSOR. The
obligations of Lessor hereunder are subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to
the Closing Date, of the following conditions unless waived in writing by
Lessor:

                           10.1 REPRESENTATIONS/WARRANTIES. The representations
and warranties of Lessee contained in this Annex A shall be true and correct as
of the Closing Date; and the covenants and conditions of this Annex A to be
complied with or performed by Lessee on or before the Closing Date pursuant to
the terms hereof shall have been duly complied with and performed.

                           10.2 OPINION OF LESSEE'S COUNSEL. Lessor shall have
received from Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, A Professional Limited Liability
Company, counsel to Lessee, an opinion dated as of the Closing Date and
addressed to Lessor, in form and substance satisfactory to Lessor to the effect
that: (i) Lessee is a limited partnership validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Louisiana; (ii) the execution, delivery and
performance of the Lease and this Annex A has been duly authorized by all
requisite action; (iii) Lessee has full power and authority to make, execute,
deliver and perform the Lease and this Annex A, and all proceedings required to
be taken by Lessee to authorize the execution and performance of the Lease and
this Annex A as herein contemplated have all been duly and properly taken; (iv)
the Lease and this Annex A constitute valid and binding obligations of Lessee,
enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy and other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights or debtors' relief generally and
subject to general principles of equity; and (v) neither the execution and
delivery of the Lease and this Annex A, nor the consummation of the transactions
therein or herein contemplated, nor the compliance and fulfillment of the terms
and conditions thereof or hereof will conflict with, or result in a breach of
the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under the
Amended and Restated Articles of Limited Partnership of Lessee or any agreement
or instrument known to Lessee's counsel to which Lessee is a party or by which
Lessee is bound or affected. Lessee's counsel's opinion may state that such
counsel is not admitted to practice in any state other than the State of
Tennessee and may be limited to the laws of the State of Tennessee, the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, specific Louisiana statutes related to
limited partnerships and the federal laws of the United States.




                                       48
<PAGE>

                           10.3 ACTION OR PROCEEDING. No action, proceeding,
investigation or administrative hearing before a court or any other governmental
agency or body shall have been instituted or threatened against Lessee or Lessor
which seeks injunctive relief in anticipation of the sale of the Assets and may
reasonably be expected to prohibit the sale of the Assets to Lessee or seeks
damages in a material amount by reason of the consummation of such sale.

                           10.4 PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS SATISFACTORY. Lessor
shall have received such certificates, opinions and other documents as it or its
counsel may reasonably require in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to it and its counsel. All proceedings in connection with the
purchase of the Assets set forth herein and all certificates and documents
delivered to Lessor pursuant to this Annex A shall be reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to Lessor and its counsel acting reasonably and in good
faith.

                           10.5 DELIVERY OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS. At the Closing,
the Lessee shall have delivered to Lessor all documents, agreements, instruments
and payments contemplated by Section 2.3.

                           10.6 CONSENTS; LICENSES. All notices to, and
consents, authorizations, approvals and waivers from, third parties required for
Lessee to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or required in
connection with Lessor's assignment and Lessee's assumption of any Contract or
Lease shall have been made and obtained. A referendum authorizing the Lessor to
lease the Premises and sell the Assets to Lessee shall have been passed by a
majority of the qualified electors of Lessor, and the Attorney General of the
State of Louisiana shall have approved the lease of the Premises and the sale of
the Assets.

                           10.7 GUARANTEE. At the Closing, Lessor shall have
been furnished with the guarantee of Guarantor in the form of APPENDIX 10.7
hereto.

                           10.8 EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF LEASE. Lessor, Lessee
and Parent shall have executed the Lease, and Lessor shall have received an
originally-executed copy of the Lease.

                  11. GENERAL.

                           11.1 APPENDICES, SCHEDULES AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS.
Each Appendix, Schedule and Certificate, if any, to this Annex A shall be
considered a part hereof as if set forth herein in full.

                           11.2 PRE-CLOSING ACCESS. In addition to Lessor's
covenants in Section 6.1, Lessor shall give Lessee, its accountants, its
counsel, and other representatives reasonable access to the premises, books and
records, and offices of the Hospital, and make such information in respect
thereof as Lessee may



                                       49
<PAGE>

reasonably request available to Lessee, as may be necessary for Lessee to
examine the Assets being acquired. No such inspection by Lessee shall interfere
with Lessor's conduct of business in the ordinary course.

                           11.3 ADDITIONAL ASSURANCES. The provisions of this
Annex A shall be self-operative and shall not require further agreement by the
parties except as may be herein specifically provided to the contrary; provided,
however, at the request of either party, the other party shall execute such
additional instruments and take such additional acts as are reasonably necessary
to effectuate this Annex A.

                           11.4 CONSENTS, APPROVALS AND DISCRETION. Whenever
this Annex A requires any consent or approval to be given by either party or
either party must or may exercise discretion, the parties agree that such
consent or approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and such
discretion shall be reasonably exercised.

                           11.5 CHOICE OF LAW. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THIS ANNEX
A SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE
STATE OF LOUISIANA.

                           11.6 BENEFIT; ASSIGNMENT. Subject to the provisions
herein to the contrary, this Annex A shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives,
successors and assigns; provided, however, that no party may assign this Annex A
without the prior written consent of the other party.

                           11.7 BROKERAGE. Lessor on one hand and Lessee on the
other hand agree to indemnify the other parties from and against all loss, cost,
damage or expense arising out of claims for fees or commissions of brokers
employed or alleged to have been employed by such indemnifying party.

                           11.8 COST OF TRANSACTION. Whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, the parties agree as
follows: (i) Lessor, through use of the Escrowed Funds, will pay the fees,
expenses, and disbursements of Lessor and its agents, representatives,
accountants, and counsel incurred in connection with the subject matter hereof
and any amendments hereto and, in addition, Lessor will pay the cost of the
title search, the title commitment and leasehold title insurance and survey of
the Premises; and (ii) Lessee shall pay the fees, expenses and disbursements of
Lessee and its agents, representatives, accountants and counsel incurred in
connection with the subject matter hereof and any amendments hereto and, in
addition, Lessee will pay the costs of inspecting the Premises, including the
cost of any environmental surveys and the costs of inspecting the Premises,
including the cost of any environmental surveys. Lessee



                                       50
<PAGE>

shall pay the transfer taxes and recording fees resulting from the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                           11.9 CONFIDENTIALITY. It is understood by the parties
that the information acquired by, and the documents and instruments delivered
to, Lessee or the shareholder, affiliates, officers, employees or agents of
Lessee (collectively, "Agents"), by Lessor or Lessor's officers, employees or
agents (collectively, "Lessor" and "Lessor's Agents") are of a confidential and
proprietary nature. Lessee agrees that it will and will use its best efforts to
cause Agents to maintain the confidentiality of all such information, documents
or instruments acquired by or delivered to Lessee and Agents in connection with
the negotiation of this Annex A or in compliance with the terms, conditions and
covenants hereof and only to disclose such information, documents and
instruments to such duly authorized persons as are necessary to effect the
transaction contemplated hereby. Lessee further agrees that if the transactions
contemplated hereby are not consummated, Lessee and Agents will return all
documents and instruments acquired from Lessor or its affiliates and all copies
thereof in their possession to Lessor, and will not use any such non-public
information in any way to compete with Lessor or Lessor's respective affiliates,
successors or assigns or in a manner which would be detrimental to the
businesses, financial affairs or reputations of Lessor or Lessor's respective
officers and affiliates, successors and assigns. Lessee for itself and Agents
recognizes that any breach of this Section 11.9 would result in irreparable harm
to Lessor and Lessor's respective officers and affiliates and that therefore
either Lessor or any of Lessor's respective officers and affiliates shall be
entitled to an injunction to prohibit any such breach by Lessee and Agents in
addition to all of their other legal and equitable remedies. Nothing in this
Section 11.9 shall prohibit the use of such confidential information, documents
or information for such governmental filings as are required by law or
governmental regulations or the disclosure of such confidential information if
such disclosure is compelled by judicial or administrative process or, in the
opinion of Lessee's counsel provided to Lessor, other requirements of law.

                           11.10 WAIVER. The waiver by either party of a breach
or violation of any term or provision of this Annex A shall not operate as, or
be construed to be, a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same provision by
any party or of the breach of any other term or provision of this Annex A. The
delay or a failure of a party to transmit any written notice hereunder shall not
constitute a waiver by such party of any default hereunder or of any other or
further default under this Annex A except as may expressly be provided for by
the terms of this Annex A.

                           11.11 TAX ALLOCATION. The allocation of the Purchase
Price for tax purposes shall be made in the manner set forth in SCHEDULE 11.11
and shall be set forth in a statement prepared in accordance with Section 1060
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which statement shall be
prepared in a manner



                                       51
<PAGE>

generally consistent with the form of Internal Revenue Service Form 8594. Lessee
and Lessor shall cooperate in the preparation of such statement of allocation
and each party hereto shall file a copy of such statement as required by
applicable law.

                           11.12 INTERPRETATION. Each of the parties has agreed
to the use of the particular language of the provisions of this Annex A
including all attached Appendices and Schedules, and any questions of doubtful
interpretation shall not be resolved by any rule or interpretation against the
draftsman but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof, having due
regard to the benefits and rights intended to be conferred upon the parties
hereto and the limitations and restrictions upon such rights and benefits
intended to be provided.

                           11.13 NOTICE. All notices, offers, consents and other
instruments given pursuant to this Lease shall be in writing and shall be
validly given when personally delivered or when placed in the United States
mail, registered or certified with return receipt requested, when sent by
prepaid telegram or facsimile followed by a confirmatory letter actually
delivered or when sent by a courier or express service guaranteeing overnight
delivery, addressed as follows:

                  Lessor:           Hospital Service District No. 2 of the
                                      Parish of St. Mary
                                    1125 Marguerite Street
                                    Morgan City, Louisiana  70381
                                    Facsimile (504) 380-4546

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Nicholas F. LaRocca, Jr., Ltd.
                                    607 Brashear Avenue
                                    Morgan City, Louisiana  70380
                                    Attention:  Nicholas F. LaRocca, Jr., Esq.
                                    Facsimile: (985) 385-6002

                  Lessee or
                  Guarantor:        Province Healthcare Company
                                    105 Westwood Place, Suite 400
                                    Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
                                    Attention:  Howard T. Wall III, Esq.
                                    Facsimile:  (615) 370-2965




                                       52
<PAGE>

                  With a copy to:

                                    Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis,
                                    A Professional Limited Liability Company
                                    Nashville City Center
                                    511 Union Street, Suite 2100
                                    Nashville, Tennessee 37219-1760
                                    Attention:  George W. Bishop III, Esq.
                                    Facsimile:  (615) 244-6804

Lessor, Lessee and Guarantor each may from time to time specify, by giving
fifteen (15) days notice to each other party, (i) any other address in the
United States as its address for purposes of this Annex A and (ii) any other
person or entity that is to receive copies of notices, offers, consents and
other instruments hereunder.

                           11.14 SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of
this Annex A is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason and
in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall in no
event affect, prejudice or disturb the validity of the remainder of this Annex
A, which shall be in full force and effect, enforceable in accordance with its
terms, including, without limitation, those terms which contemplate or require
the further agreements of the parties. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part
of this Annex A provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision as may be possible and still be legal, valid or
enforceable.

                           11.15 GENDER AND NUMBER. Whenever the context of this
Annex A requires, the gender of all words herein shall include the masculine,
feminine and neuter, and the number of all words herein shall include the
singular and plural.

                           11.16 DIVISION AND HEADINGS. The division of this
Annex A into sections and subsections and the use of captions and headings in
connection therewith are solely for convenience and shall have no legal effect
in construing the provisions of this Annex A.

                           11.17 CONSENTED ASSIGNMENT. Anything contained herein
to the contrary notwithstanding, this Annex A shall not constitute an agreement
to assign any claim, right, contract, license, lease, commitment, sales order or
purchase order if an attempted assignment thereof without the consent of another
party thereto would constitute a breach thereof or in any material way affect
the rights of Lessor thereunder, unless such consent is obtained. If such
consent is not obtained, or if an attempted assignment would be ineffective or
would materially affect Lessor's rights thereunder so that Lessee would not in
fact receive all such rights, Lessor shall cooperate in any reasonable
arrangement designed to provide for Lessee the benefit under any such claims,
rights, contracts, licenses, leases, commitments,



                                       53
<PAGE>

sales orders or purchase orders, including, without limitation, enforcement, at
no out-of-pocket cost to Lessor, of any and all rights of Lessor against the
other party or parties thereto arising out of the breach or cancellation by such
other party or otherwise.

                           11.18 SURVIVAL. All statements made by the parties
hereto herein or in the Schedules or in any other financial statement, document,
instrument, certificate, exhibit or list delivered to each other hereunder by or
on behalf of parties hereto shall be deemed representations and warranties of
the parties hereto regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
Lessee. Furthermore, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
made by the parties herein shall survive until eighteen months after the
Closing, except with respect to the representations, warranties and covenants
set forth in Sections 3.7, 3.14, 3.15, 3.17, 3.18 and 3.19 and the Indemnities
with respect thereto which shall survive for the applicable statute of
limitations, or if no such period is applicable, then indefinitely.

                           11.19 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Annex A
supersedes all prior contracts, understandings and agreements, whether written
or oral, and constitutes the entire agreement of the parties respecting the
within subject matter and no party shall be entitled to benefits other than
those specified herein. As between or among the parties, no oral statements or
prior written material not specifically included herein shall be of any force
and effect; the parties specifically acknowledge that in entering into and
executing this Annex A, the parties rely solely upon the representations and
agreements contained in this Annex A and no others. No terms, conditions,
warranties, or representations, other than those contained herein and no
amendments or modifications hereto, shall be binding unless made in writing and
signed by the party to be charged.

                           11.20 COUNTERPARTS. This Annex A may be executed in
multiple originals or counterparts, each and all of which shall be deemed an
original and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.

                           11.21 RISK OF LOSS. Notwithstanding any other
provision hereof to the contrary, the risk of loss in respect of casualty to the
Assets shall be borne by Lessor through the time of Closing and by the Lessee
thereafter.

                           11.22 NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. The terms and
provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of Lessor and
Lessee and their respective permitted successors or assigns, and it is not the
intention of the parties to confer, and this Annex A shall not confer,
third-party beneficiary rights upon any other person.




                                       54
<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Annex A to be
executed in multiple originals by their duly authorized officers and their
corporate seals duly affixed hereto, all as of the day and year first above
written.


                                       LESSOR:

                                       HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2
                                       OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY,
                                       STATE OF LOUISIANA


                                       By: /s/ James B. Broussard
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James B. Broussard
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chairman
                                              ----------------------------------



                                       LESSEE:

                                       PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P.

                                       By: PHC-Lakewood, Inc.,
                                           its general partner



                                       By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       GUARANTOR:

                                       PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY



                                       By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------




                                       55
<PAGE>
                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                         ANNEX A TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT


                           THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (this "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the ______ day of October, 2001, for the purpose of amending
Annex A to the Lease Agreement by and among PHC-Morgan City, L.P. ("Lessee"), a
Louisiana limited partnership and wholly-owned subsidiary of Province Healthcare
Company ("Guarantor"), a Delaware corporation, and Hospital Service District No.
2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana ("Lessor"), a political
subdivision of the State of Louisiana, and Guarantor, dated as of September 7,
2001 ("Annex A"). Unless defined herein, capitalized terms used in the document
shall have the meanings assigned to them in Annex A.

                                    RECITALS

                           WHEREAS, Lessor currently owns and operates a 168-bed
general acute care hospital known as "Lakewood Medical Center" (the "Hospital")
and provides other ancillary healthcare services to the residents of its
district, all in compliance with its statutory purpose; and

                           WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Lessor, after
due consideration, determined that the lease of the Hospital and the sale of the
working capital assets and other assets used in the operation of the Hospital to
Lessee would assist Lessor in fulfilling its public purpose; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessor has agreed to lease the Hospital to
Lessee for forty years, pursuant to that certain Lease Agreement by and between
Lessor and Lessee, dated as of September 7, 2001; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessor has agreed to sell certain of the
assets, tangible and intangible, used in the operation of the business conducted
through the Hospital, pursuant to Annex A; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessee currently manages the operations of
the Hospital, pursuant to the Interim Special Services Agreement by and between
Lessor and Lessee, dated as of September 7, 2001; and

                           WHEREAS, the Hospital requires immediate funds to pay
certain of its accounts payable; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessee, as current manager of the Hospital
and party to the Annex and this Amendment, has agreed to pay such accounts
payable in an amount up to $600,000; and


<PAGE>

                           WHEREAS, Lessor has agreed that in consideration of
Lessee's payment of those Hospital accounts payable, Lessor will pay the first
$600,000 of capital expenditure obligations of Lessee under Section 7.8(a) of
Annex A within the first eighteen (18) months of the term of the Lease.

                           NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                           1. ADDITION. Section 11.23. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. A new
Section 11.23 shall be added to Annex A as follows:

                          Section 11.23. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. Lessee shall pay
         certain vendor accounts payable, which vendor accounts payable shall be
         determined in Lessee's sole discretion, up to an aggregate amount of
         $600,000 prior to the Closing Date on and after October 22, 2001 (the
         "Accounts Payable"). In the event that the conditions precedent to
         Closing under Articles 9 and 10 of this Annex A are satisfied and the
         transaction provided for herein is consummated, then Lessor shall be
         responsible for the initial capital expenditure obligations of Lessee
         under Section 7.8(a) of this Annex A in an amount equal to the Accounts
         Payable. Lessee's capital expenditure obligations under Section 7.8(a)
         of this Annex A shall be reduced to an amount equal to Eight Million
         Dollars ($8,000,000) less the amount of the Accounts Payable.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Lessor fails to fulfill such capital
         expenditure obligations within the first six (6) months of the Term,
         Lessor shall be required to reimburse Lessee immediately in an amount
         equal to the Accounts Payable less the amount of capital expenditures
         previously paid by Lessor pursuant to this Amendment. In the event that
         the conditions precedent to Closing under Articles 9 and 10 of this
         Annex A are not satisfied and the transaction provided for herein is
         not consummated, then Lessor shall reimburse Guarantor in an amount
         equal to the Accounts Payable on or before January 22, 2002. Lessor
         shall execute a Security Agreement in form and substance satisfactory
         to Lessee to secure its obligations under this Section.

                           2. AMENDMENT AND RATIFICATION. The parties hereto
agree that Annex A is hereby amended in accordance with the foregoing provisions
of this Amendment and that the balance of Annex A remains unchanged and is
hereby ratified and confirmed as written. The parties also agree that Annex A,
as amended as provided herein, shall remain in full force and effect.



                                       2
<PAGE>

                           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed
this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.

                                       LESSOR:

                                       HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2
                                       OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY,
                                       STATE OF LOUISIANA


                                       By: /s/ James B. Broussard
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James B. Broussard
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chairman
                                              ----------------------------------



                                       LESSEE:

                                       PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P.

                                       By: PHC-Lakewood, Inc.,
                                           its general partner



                                       By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       GUARANTOR:

                                       PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY



                                       By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------





                                       3
<PAGE>

                               SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                         ANNEX A TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT


                           THIS SECOND AMENDMENT (this "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the ______ day of November, 2001, for the purpose of amending
Annex A to the Lease Agreement by and among PHC-Morgan City, L.P. ("Lessee"), a
Louisiana limited partnership and wholly-owned subsidiary of Province Healthcare
Company ("Guarantor"), a Delaware corporation, and Hospital Service District No.
2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana ("Lessor"), a political
subdivision of the State of Louisiana, and Guarantor, dated as of September 7,
2001 ("Annex A"), as amended by the First Amendment to Annex A to the Lease
Agreement, dated October 22, 2001 (the "First Amendment"). Unless defined
herein, capitalized terms used in the document shall have the meanings assigned
to them in Annex A.

                                    RECITALS

                           WHEREAS, Lessor currently owns and operates a 168-bed
general acute care hospital known as "Lakewood Medical Center" (the "Hospital")
and provides other ancillary healthcare services to the residents of its
district, all in compliance with its statutory purpose; and

                           WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Lessor, after
due consideration, determined that the lease of the Hospital and the sale of the
working capital assets and other assets used in the operation of the Hospital to
Lessee would assist Lessor in fulfilling its public purpose; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessor has agreed to lease the Hospital to
Lessee for forty years, pursuant to that certain Lease Agreement by and between
Lessor and Lessee, dated as of September 7, 2001; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessor has agreed to sell certain of the
assets, tangible and intangible, used in the operation of the business conducted
through the Hospital, pursuant to Annex A; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessee currently manages the operations of
the Hospital, pursuant to the Interim Special Services Agreement by and between
Lessor and Lessee, dated as of September 7, 2001; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessee, as manager of the Hospital and party
to Annex A, entered into the First Amendment to pay accounts payable of the
Hospital in an amount up to $600,000; and

                           WHEREAS, the Hospital requires additional funds to
pay certain of its accounts payable;





<PAGE>

                           WHEREAS, Lessee, has agreed to pay up to an
additional $100,000 of such accounts payable, or $700,000 in the aggregate; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessor has agreed that in consideration of
Lessee's payment of those Hospital accounts payable, Lessor will pay the first
$700,000 of capital expenditure obligations of Lessee under Section 7.8(a) of
Annex A within the first eighteen (18) months of the term of the Lease; and

                           WHEREAS, Lessor and Lessee have agreed that the date
by which the aforementioned transaction must close should be extended from
November 30, 2001 to December 31, 2001.

                           NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                           1. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2.1. Section 2.1 shall be
amended with additions indicated by underlined text and deletions indicated by
strikethrough text as follows:

                  Section 2.1. CLOSING. The consummation of all matters
         anticipated herein (the "Closing") shall take place New Orleans,
         Louisiana NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, at the offices of Jones, Walker,
         Wacchter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre L.L.P., 201 St. Charles Avenue,
         New Orleans, Louisiaia 70170 WALLER LANSDEN DORTCH & DAVIS, A
         PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 511 UNION STREET, SUITE 2100,
         NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37219 or other agreed upon location, at 10:00 A.M.
         local time on October 31, 2001 DECEMBER 6, 2001 provided all required
         regulatory and other approvals to the Closing have been obtained, but
         in no event later than December 30, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2001, unless the
         parties hereto agree otherwise in writing (the "Closing Date").

                           2. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 11.23. Section 11.23 shall be
amended with additions indicated by underlined text and deletions indicated by
strikethrough text as follows:

                                    Section 11.23. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. Lessee
         shall pay certain vendor accounts payable, which vendor accounts
         payable shall be determined in Lessee's sole discretion, up to an
         aggregate amount of $600,000 $700,000 prior to the Closing Date on and
         after October 22, 2001 (the "Accounts Payable"). In the event that the
         conditions precedent to Closing under Articles 9 and 10 of this Annex A
         are satisfied and the transaction provided for herein is consummated,
         then Lessor shall be responsible for the initial capital expenditure
         obligations of Lessee under Section 7.8(a) of this Annex A in an




                                       2
<PAGE>

         amount equal to the Accounts Payable. Lessee's capital expenditure
         obligations under Section 7.8(a) of this Annex A shall be reduced to an
         amount equal to Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) less the amount of
         the Accounts Payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Lessor fails to
         fulfill such capital expenditure obligations within the first six (6)
         months of the Term, Lessor shall be required to reimburse Lessee
         immediately in an amount equal to the Accounts Payable less the amount
         of capital expenditures previously paid by Lessor pursuant to this
         Amendment. In the event that the conditions precedent to Closing under
         Articles 9 and 10 of this Annex A are not satisfied and the transaction
         provided for herein is not consummated, then Lessor shall reimburse
         Guarantor in an amount equal to the Accounts Payable on or before
         January 22, 2002. Lessor shall execute a Security Agreement in form and
         substance satisfactory to Lessee to secure its obligations under this
         Section.

                           3. AMENDMENT AND RATIFICATION. The parties hereto
agree that Annex A is hereby amended in accordance with the foregoing provisions
of this Amendment and that the balance of Annex A remains unchanged and is
hereby ratified and confirmed as written. The parties also agree that Annex A,
as amended as provided herein, shall remain in full force and effect.




                                       3
<PAGE>

                           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed
this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.


                                       LESSOR:

                                       HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 2
                                       OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY,
                                       STATE OF LOUISIANA


                                       By: /s/ James B. Broussard
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James B. Broussard
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chairman
                                              ----------------------------------



                                       LESSEE:

                                       PHC-MORGAN CITY, L.P.

                                       By: PHC-Lakewood, Inc.,
                                           its general partner



                                       By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       GUARANTOR:

                                       PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY



                                       By: /s/ James Thomas Anderson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Thomas Anderson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------





                                       4