Document:

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                       LEASE OF 15 PRESIDENTIAL WAY WOBURN

1.   PARTIES. Walter H. McLaughlin Jr., William E. Shea, and Constance M.
Ramsauer, as they are trustees of the Ames Realty Trust, a declaration of Trust
dated December 31, 1985 and recorded in Middlesex South District Registry of
Deeds at Book 16678, Page 197 with a principal place of business in Somerville,
Middlesex County, Massachusetts ("Lessor"), which expression shall include its
successors and assigns, when the context so admits, does hereby lease to Merrill
Communications LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with a principal place
of business in St. Paul, Minnesota ("Lessee"), which expression shall include
its successors, legal representatives, and assigns where the context so admits.

2.   PREMISES. Lessor does hereby lease to Lessee and the Lessee hereby leases
and shall peaceably hold and enjoy the following described premises
(hereinafter, the "Leased Premises").

The "Leased Premises" consists of a parcel of land shown as lot 7 on a plan
entitled Subdivision Plan of Land in Woburn Massachusetts, June 5, 1995,
prepared by Edward J. Farrell, Professional Land Surveyor, recorded in Middlesex
South District Registry of Deeds at Book 25637, Page 476 on which there is
constructed an industrial flex building containing 78,900 square feet as shown
on the plan annexed hereto and marked "Exhibit A." The premises are leased in
their present condition "as is."

3.   TERM. The term of this Lease shall be for a period of five years commencing
April 1, 2000 and terminating on March 31, 2005 (the "Initial Term").

4.   OPTION TO EXTEND TERM. Lease will automatically renew for three (3)
additional five-year terms unless Lessee provided six (6) months advance written
notice of its intent not to renew (such additional terms are hereinafter
referred to as the "Renewal Terms").

5.   RENT DURING INITIAL TERM.

     The base rent for the period from April 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001
shall be $394,500.

     The base rent for the period from April 1, 2001 through March 31, 2002
shall be $473,400.

     The base rent for the period from April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2005
shall be $552,300 per annum.

     The Lessee shall pay to the Lessor Base Rent during the term in equal
monthly installments one the first day of each month unless the Lessor and
Lessee agree to a different payment schedule.

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6.   RENT DURING EXTENDED TERM.

     The base rent during each Renewal Term shall be the fair rental value of
the premises. The parties shall first attempt to agree on fair rental value. In
the event that the parties shall fail to agree on fair rental value within
ninety (90) days after the beginning of each Renewal Term, the matter shall be
submitted to arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Each party shall choose as an arbitrator a licensed real estate
broker whose principal business is the leasing of commercial real estate in the
greater Boston Area, and the two arbitrators shall choose a third arbitrator
with similar qualifications. The decision of two arbitrators shall be binding on
the parties. The arbitrators shall attempt to reach a decision before the
commencement of the extended term. In the event that they have not reached a
decision by that time, the Lessee shall pay the same rent as in the last year of
the previous term and pay any additional rent due within ten (10) days of the
arbitrator's decision. The arbitrators shall determine fair rental value by
considering the age and condition of the building, market location and other
customary factors of the Leased Premises compared to properties of similar size
and location.

     The Lessee shall pay to the Lessor Base Rent annually during each Renewal
Term in equal monthly installments on the first day of each month unless the
Lessor and Lessee agree to a different payment schedule.

7.   EXPANSION OF PREMISES. If at any time during the term of this Lease, the
Lessee determines that it needs additional space, the Lessor and the Lessee
shall negotiate in good faith to provide said additional space through the
construction of additional space on the premises. If during any Renewal Term,
the Lessee determines that the premises and any reasonable expansion are not
sufficient to meet their needs, the Lessee may terminate this lease by notice to
the Lessor, and the lease shall terminate six (6) months after the Lessee
delivers said notice.

8.   TAXES. The Lessee shall be responsible for the payment, before the same
become delinquent, all general and special taxes, including real estate taxes
and assessments for local improvements, and other governmental charges which may
be lawfully charged, assessed or imposed (herein collectively called the
"Taxes") upon the Leased Premises.

     If the Lessor's mortgagee requires the Lessor to impound taxes on a monthly
basis, then beginning with the calendar year 2000 occurs and in subsequent years
during the term of this Lease, or written notice from Lessor therefore, Lessee
shall pay to the Lessor pro rata monthly installments of amounts due for taxes
on account of projected taxes for such year, reasonably calculated by the Lessor
on the basis of the best and most recent data available. A final adjustment
shall be made between Lessor and Lessee promptly after Lessor shall have
received the tax bill for any such period.

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     If the Lessor's mortgage does not require the impoundment of taxes on a
monthly basis, the Lessor shall forward each tax bill received to the Lessee and
the Lessee shall forward its share of the taxes to the Lessor ten (10) days
before said taxes are due or ten (10) days after receipt of the tax bill,
whichever comes later.

     If the Lessor shall exercise its option to pay the municipality the amount
of any betterments assessed upon the premises on an installment basis for the
maximum period of time then permitted by law, Lessee shall pay Lessor each year
within thirty (30) days after receipt of a bill therefore, its appropriate
proportionate share of such annual installment payment and of the interest, if
any, due in such year.

     The Lessee may from time to time request that the Lessor contest the
validity of and seek an abatement of the taxes upon the Leased Premises. The
Lessor will file such abatement and charge the Lessee its pro rata cost of
filing for such abatement. The Lessee shall be entitled to a refund of its pro
rata share of the abatement recovered.

9,   UTILITIES AND OTHER SERVICES. The Lessee shall pay for all of the water,
     electricity and gas used on the demised premises.

10   USE OF LEASED PREMISES. The building must be used as a manufacturing
facility. For this purpose a manufacturing facility is a facility that is used
for the manufacture or production of tangible personal property (including the
processing resulting in a change in the condition of such property). A
manufacturing facility includes ancillary facilities located on the same site as
the actual production facilities, but only to the extent that (i) manufacturing
constitutes substantially all the on-site economic activity, and (ii) the
activities conducted at the ancillary facilities are subordinate and integral to
the manufacturing process (e.g. loading docks, parking for employees, or
warehouse space for raw materials and finished products )

11   RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL If at any time while the Lessee is not in material
breach of this lease, the Lessor enters into an agreement to sell the Leased
Premises to a person other than the Lessee (the "offering person") it shall
offer in writing to sell the Premises to the Lessee on the same terms and
conditions as those contained in said agreement. The Lessee shall have 30 days
from the date it receives the offer to accept it by a written notice to the
Lessor which must be received during said thirty day period. If the Lessee
accepts the offer then the Lessor shall convey the Leased Premises to the Lessee
in accordance with the offer within 30 days from the date the offer is accepted.
If the Lessee fails to exercise the right of first refusal within 30 days of the
receipt of the offer, then the offer shall expire and the Lessor shall
thereafter have the right to sell the Leased Premises, without notice to the
Lessee, to the Offering Person, provide the sale is consummated within 90 days
of the date the Lessee receives the notice from the Lessor. If the sale is not
consummated within such ninety (90) day period or if the terms of the offer
change in a material way, then the provision of this paragraph 11 will again
apply to a proposed sale of the Leased Premises.

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12.  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Lessee acknowledges that no trade or occupation
shall be conducted in the Leased Premises or use made thereof which shall be
unlawful, improper, noisy or offensive be contrary to any law or any municipal
by-law or ordinance in force in the City of Woburn now existing or hereinafter
enacted. Lessee shall keep the Leased Premises equipped with all reasonable
safety appliances and shall procure and keep in force all licenses and permits
required by law or ordinance of any public authority because of the uses made of
the Leased Premises by Lessee and shall maintain in good condition on the Leased
Premises all existing safety and fire protection devices required by the Board
of Fire Underwriters, or other body having similar functions, and of every
insurance company and policy by which Lessee is insured. If the Lessee shall
install additional storage racks on the demised premises, it shall sprinkler
said racks in accordance with the directions of the Lessor's insurance company.

     In furtherance of the obligations set forth under this paragraph, Lessee
shall take no action with respect to the demised premises which shall violate
and Federal or State environmental statutes governing the use of this property,
and shall indemnify the Lessor against any costs or remediation or cleanup
caused by the Lessee's use of the premises in violation of environmental law.

     Lessor covenants and warrants that as of the Commencement Date hereof,
April 1, 2000, the Leased Premises, shall be in full compliance with all
applicable statutes, ordinances, regulations, including without limitation all
environmental laws and the ADA, and by-laws and that the Lessee's proposed use
is permissible as of right in the zoning district in which the Leased Premises
are located. In addition, notwithstanding the provisions of this Paragraph 12,
Lessee shall not be required to make any alteration addition or improvement to
the Leased Premises to comply with any statute ordinance regulation or by-law
unless said alteration addition or improvement is required by reason of Lessee's
particular use of the Leased Premises. Lessor shall indemnify the Lessee for
direct damages incurred because of a breach of this paragraph.

13.  INSURANCE - WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. Lessee, as to its own personal property
and on behalf of the Lessor with respect to the building, agrees to keep the
Leased Premises insured in amounts equal to the actual cash replacement value of
the same against fire and other perils included in a standard extended coverage
endorsement, and against breakdown of boilers and other machinery and equipment.
Lessor and Lessee further agree that with respect to any loss which is covered
(or required by this Paragraph 13 to be covered) by insurance then being carried
by or on behalf of either of them, that each party releases the other of and
from any and all claims with respect to such loss to the extent of the insurance
proceeds payable with respect to such loss; and they further mutually agree that
their respective insurance companies shall have no right of subrogation against
the other on account thereof. If requested, each party agrees to furnish the
other from time to time with certificates of all such insurance coverages issued
by or on behalf of their respective insurers.

14.  RISK OF LOSS OF PERSONAL EFFECTS. Lessee acknowledges and agrees that all

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of the furnishings, equipment, effects and personal property of Lessee and of
all persons claiming by, through or under Lessee which may be on the Leased
Premises shall be at the sole risk and hazard of Lessee and if the whole or any
part thereof shall be destroyed or damaged by fire, water or otherwise, or by
the leakage or bursting of water pipes, steam pipes, or other pipes, by theft or
from any other cause, no part of said loss or damage is to be charged to or to
be borne by Lessor, except that Lessor shall in no event be indemnified or held
harmless or exonerated from any liability to Lessee or to any other person,
arising from any injury, loss, damage or liability caused by Lessor's negligence
or willful misconduct.

15.  MAINTENANCE OF LEASED PREMISES. The Lessee agrees to maintain the Leased
Premises including its structural elements in the same condition as they are at
the commencement of the term or as they may be put in during the term of this
Lease, reasonable wear and tear, damage by fire, other casualty and eminent
domain, and matters for which the Lessor is responsible hereunder only excepted,
to replace plate glass and other glass therein damaged due to negligence of the
Lessee or its agents. The Lessee shall not permit the Leased Premises to be
overloaded, damaged, stripped, or defaced, nor suffer any waste. Lessee shall
obtain written consent of Lessor before erecting any sign on or about the Leased
Premises and on or about the Building of which the Leased Premises are a part,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

16.  ALTERATIONS - ADDITIONS. The Lessee may make any non-structural alterations
additions or improvements to the Leased Premises that it deems necessary or
advisable for the conduct of its business thereon as long as they are in
compliance with law. The Lessee shall not make any structural alterations,
additions or improvements to the Leased Premises, unless the Lessor consents
thereto in advance in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed, but such consent may be conditioned upon the Lessee's obligation to
restore the Leased Premises to its original condition, all at Lessee's sole cost
and expense and may be conditioned upon approval by the Lessor's mortgagee. All
such allowed alterations or additions shall be at Lessee's expense and shall be
in quality at least equal to the present construction. Lessee shall not permit
any mechanics' liens, or similar liens, to remain upon the Leased Premises for
labor and materials furnished to Lessee or claimed, to have been furnished to
Lessee in connection with the work of any character performed or claimed to have
been performed at the direction of Lessee, and shall cause any such lien to be
released of record forthwith without cost to Lessor. Any alterations, additions
or improvements made by the Lessee, except for moveable partitions, trade
fixtures, equipment, and furnishings, installed at the Lessee's cost, shall
become the property of the Lessor at the termination of the Lease as provided
herein, but the Lessor may at its option require that the Lessee remove any or
all non-structural additions.

17.  ASSIGNMENT - SUBLETTING. The Lessee shall not assign or sublet the whole or
any part of the Leased Premises without the Lessor's prior written consent which
will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding, Lessee shall
remain liable to Lessor for the payment of all rent and for the full performance
of the covenants and conditions of this Lease.

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18.  QUIET ENJOYMENT, COVENANT OF TITLE. The Lessee, on paying the rent and
other charges hereunder, as and when the same shall become due and payable and
observing and performing the covenants, conditions and agreements contained in
this Lease on the part of the Lessee to be observed and performed, all as herein
provided, shall and may lawfully, peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the
Leased Premises during the Initial Term and any Renewal Term and any extensions
or renewals thereof, without hindrance, ejection or disturbance by the Lessor or
by any person or persons claiming by, through or under the Lessor or by anyone
claiming paramount title.

19.  SUBORDINATION. The Lease and Lessee's interest hereunder, subject to the
provisions of this Paragraph 19, shall be subordinate to the lien of any present
or future mortgage or mortgages upon the Leased Premises or any property of
which the Leased Premises are a part, regardless of the time of execution or the
time of recording of any such mortgage or mortgages. Any subordination of this
Lease pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph 19 is made and granted upon
the condition that, the holder of any such mortgage enters into an agreement
with Lessee by the terms of which such holder agrees (i) not to disturb the
possession and other rights of Lessee and (ii) in the event of any entry by the
holder of, any such mortgage to foreclose, a default under any such mortgage, a
foreclosure of any such mortgage of Lessor's interest under this Lease or in the
Leased Premises through foreclosure or otherwise, the Lessee shall (provided the
Lessee is not then in default beyond any applicable cure period) peaceably hold
and enjoy the Leased Premises as a Lessee of such holder, during the Lease Term
and any extensions or renewals thereof upon the terms, covenants and conditions
as set forth in this Lease without any hindrance or interruption from such
holder and shall not be named as a party defendant in any such action. In the
event of such entry, foreclosure, acquisition or other action by such holder,
Lessee shall recognize the holder of the mortgage with respect to which such
action is taken as the Lessor under this Lease. As used in this Paragraph 19,
the word "holder" includes any person claiming through or under any such
mortgage, including any purchaser at a foreclosure sale, and the word "Lessee"
shall include Lessee's successors and assigns, The word "mortgage" as used in
this Paragraph shall mean mortgages, deeds of trust, and other similar
instruments held by any institutional lender and all modifications, extensions,
renewals and replacements thereof.

     The Lessee agrees to execute such further documents in recordable form as
the Lessor or any lender may reasonably require, consistent with the terms of
this Paragraph 19 and 28.

20.  LESSOR'S ACCESS. The Lessor or agents of the Lessor may, at reasonable
times and upon reasonable prior notice to the Lessee, enter to view the Leased
Premises, and may remove placards and signs not approved and affixed as herein
provided, and make repairs and alterations all in a manner so as not to
unreasonably interfere with the normal conduct of Lessee's business. At any time
within the six (6)-month period prior to the expiration of the final Renewal
Term, or in the event that Lessee has given notice of its intention to terminate
this lease, the Lessor may show the Leased Premises to others, with reasonable
prior notice, all in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with the
normal conduct of the Lessee's business and the Lessor may affix to any suitable
part of the Leased Premises a notice for letting or selling the Leased Premises
or

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property of which the Leased Premises are a part and keep the same so affixed
without hindrance or molestation.

21.  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY. The Lessee shall save the Lessor harmless
from all loss and damage occasioned by the use or escape of water or by the
bursting of pipes to the extent caused by the negligence of the Lessee or by any
nuisance made or suffered on the Leased Premises.

22.  LESSEE'S LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Lessee warrants and represents that
throughout the term of the Lease, Lessee shall carry liability insurance in the
amount of $2,000,000. Lessee shall name the Lessor as insured party on any
policy or policies of comprehensive public liability insurance and property
damage insurance maintained by Lessee now or hereafter that covers the premises
and shall provide Lessor with a certificate of such insurance prior to the
commencement date and thereafter upon the request of the Lessor. Lessor shall
maintain insurance on the Leased Premises for its full replacement value.

23.  FIRE, CASUALTY - EMINENT DOMAIN. Should the Leased Premises, or of the
property of which they are a part, be damaged by fire or other casualty, the
Lessor shall rebuild, repair or restore the Leased Premises to substantially the
same condition as they were in immediately prior to such damage except that the
Lessor shall not be required to do so by expenditure of more than the insurance
proceeds which it recovers. If the necessary work is such that it cannot be
completed within ninety (90) days or the damage occurs during the last six (6)
months of the term hereof and Lessee has not exercised its option to extend, the
Lessor may terminate this Lease. If there is a taking of a portion of the Leased
Premises by eminent domain, Lessor shall, if possible, attempt to provide an
equivalent facility upon the portion of the Leased Premises not taken. When such
fire, casualty, or taking renders the Leased Premises substantially unsuitable
for their intended use, a just and proportionate abatement of rent shall be
made, until such time as the Leased Premises or, the applicable portion thereof
are rebuilt, repaired so as to be suitable for Lessee's use. The Lessee may
elect to terminate this Lease if:

          (a)  in the case of fire or other casualty, if the insurance proceeds
               recovered or recoverable are insufficient to rebuild repair or
               restore the Leased Premises to the condition they were in
               immediately prior to such fire or other casualty,

          (b)  the Lessor in the case of fire or other casualty fails to file
               written notice within thirty (30) days of intention to restore
               Leased Premises; or

          (c)  the Lessor fails to restore the Leased Premises to substantially
               the same condition they were in prior to the fire, casualty or
               taking within ninety (90) days of said fire, casualty, or taking.

     The Lessor reserves, and the Lessee grants to the Lessor, all rights which
the Lessee may have for damages or injury to the Leased Premises for any taking
by eminent domain, except for

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damage to the Lessee's fixtures, property or equipment, and Lessee's right to
relocation expenses. Nothing in this paragraph is to be construed to waive
Lessee's right to recover from Lessor a just and proportional abatement of rent
and additional rent paid in advance of any such taking by eminent domain.

24        DEFAULT AND BANKRUPTCY. In the event that:

          (a)  The Lessee shall default in the payment of any installment of
               rent or other sum herein specified and such default shall
               continue for fourteen (14) days after receipt of written notice
               that said sum is due and payable ; or

          (b)  The Lessee shall default in the observance or performance of the
               Lessee's covenants, agreements, or obligations hereunder and the
               Lessee shall not cure such default within thirty (30) days after
               receipt of written notice thereof or if such default cannot be
               cured within thirty (30) days, then if Lessee shall not commence
               to cure the same within thirty (30) days and diligently pursue
               the curing of the same; or

          (c)  The Lessee files a voluntary petition under the Bankruptcy Act or
               any other law seeking relief from debts, or if any assignment
               shall be made of Lessee's property for the benefit of creditors,
               or if any involuntary such proceeding shall be filed against the
               Lessee not discharged within sixty (60) days thereof.

     Then the Lessor shall have the right after the due process of law, while
such default continues, to re-enter and take complete possession of the Leased
Premises, to declare the term of this Lease ended, and remove the Lessee's
effects, without prejudice to any remedies which might be otherwise used for
arrears of rent or other default. The Lessee shall indemnify the Lessor against
all loss and reasonable payment of rent and other payments which the Lessor may
incur by reason of such termination during the residue of the term. In the event
of default, Lessor shall use its reasonable efforts to re-let the Leased
Premises so as to mitigate any damages to the Lessee hereunder. If Lessor
re-lets the Leased Premises, Lessee may offset its payable rent against the
amount of rent received by Lessor.

     If the Lessor shall default, after written notice thereof in the observance
or performance of any conditions or covenants on its part to be observed or
performed under or by virtue of any of the provisions of this Lease, and Lessor
shall not cure such default within thirty (30) days after written notice
thereof, or if such default cannot be cured within thirty (30) days, then if
Lessor shall not commence to cure the same within thirty (30) days and
diligently pursue the curing of the same, then Lessee, without being under any
obligation to do so, may remedy such default for the account and at the expense
of Lessor or may terminate the Lease, but in no event shall Lessee set off such
claim against its rental obligation.

     If the Lessee shall default, after written notice thereof as provided
herein, in the

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observance or performance of any conditions or covenants on its part to be
observed or performed under or by virtue of any of the provisions of this Lease
and after the expiration of any period within which the Lessee is entitled to
cure such default as is provided above in this Paragraph 24, the Lessor without
being under any obligation to do so and without thereby waiving such default,
may remedy such default for the account and at the expense of the Lessee. If the
Lessor makes any expenditures or incurs any obligations for the payment of money
in connection therewith, such sums paid or obligations incurred, with interest
at the rate of eight (8.0%) per annum and costs, shall be paid to the Lessor by
the Lessee as additional rent.

     Lessor shall not be liable to Lessee for any compensation or reduction of
rent by reason of inconvenience or annoyance or for loss of business arising
from the necessity of Lessor or its agents entering the Leased Premises, or for
Lessor's repairing the Leased Premises if such repair is not performed by
Lessee, or for making repairs to the Leased Premises or part thereof, however
the necessity may occur. In case Lessor is prevented or delayed from making any
such repairs, or supplying the utilities or services provided for herein, or
performing any other covenant or duty to be performed on Lessor's part, by
reason of any cause beyond Lessor's control, Lessor shall not be liable to
Lessee therefor, nor shall Lessee be entitled to any abatement or reduction of
rent by reason thereof, nor shall the same give rise to a claim in Lessee's
favor that such failure constitutes actual or constructive, total or partial,
eviction from the Leased Premises, or any portion thereof, provided however that
if such failure to provide utilities, services, or repairs shall render the
Leased Premises untenantable and shall continue for five (5) consecutive days
after written notice from Lessee to Lessor, then Lessee shall be entitled to an
abatement of rent and if the failure continues for a total of twenty (20)
consecutive days then Lessee may terminate this Lease.

23. PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. The paragraph headings throughout this instrument are
for convenience and reference only, and the words contained therein shall in no
way be held to explain, modify, amplify or aid in the interpretation,
construction or meaning of the provisions of this Lease.

24.  ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE. Lessor and Lessee each agree at any time from time to
time, upon not less than ten (10) days prior notice to execute, acknowledge and
deliver to the other, a statement in writing, certifying to the extent possible
that this Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect, or if there have
been modifications, that the same is in full force and effect as modified and
stating such modifications and otherwise certifying if there exists any default
under the terms of this Lease and such other information as may be reasonably
requested concerning this Lease by the other party or any other third party with
a bona fide interest.

25.  NOTICE. Any notice from the Lessor to the Lessee relating to the Leased
Premises or to the occupancy thereof shall be deemed duly served, if in writing
and mailed, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed to the Lessee at the Leased Premises with a copy to,

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               Mark A Rossi and General Counsel
               Merrill Communications LLC
               One Merrill Circle
               St Paul, Minnesota 55108
or at such address as the Lessee may from time to time advise in writing. Any
notice from the Lessee to the Lessor relating to the Leased Premises or to the
occupancy thereof, shall be deemed duly served, if in writing and mailed to the
Lessor by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed to the Lessor at such address as the Lessor may from time to
time advise in writing. All rent and notices shall be paid and sent to the
Lessor at:

               William Shea, General Partner
               Ames Realty Associates
               21 Properzi Way
               Somerville, MA 02143

26.  SURRENDER. The Lessee shall at the expiration or other termination of this
Lease remove all Lessee's goods and effects from the Leased Premises (including,
without hereby limiting the generality of the foregoing, all signs and lettering
affixed or painted by the Lessee, either inside or outside the Leased Premises).
Lessee shall deliver to the Lessor the Leased Premises and all keys, locks
thereto, and all fixtures, alterations and additions made to or upon the Leased
Premises, except for moveable partitions trade fixtures, equipment and
furnishings installed at the Lessee's expense, in the same condition as they
were at the commencement of the term, or as they were put in during the term
hereof, reasonable wear and tear and damage by fire, other casualty or eminent
domain and matters for which the Lessor is responsible hereunder only excepted.
All movable partitions, trade fixtures equipment and furnishings, installed in
the Leased Premises at the Lessee's expense during the term of the Lease may be
removed by the Lessee at the expiration or other termination of this Lease The
Lessee at its expense promptly repair any and all damages to the Leased Premises
resulting from such removal. In the event of the failure of the Lessee to remove
any of the Lessee's property from the Leased Premises, Lessor is hereby
authorized, upon fifteen (15) days' written notice to the Lessee without
liability to the Lessee for loss or damage thereto, and at the sole risk of
Lessee to remove and store any of the property at Lessee's expense.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Lessor, and the Lessee, have hereunto set their
hands and common seals as of this 31st day of March, 2000.

LESSOR:

AMES REALTY TRUST

By:   /s/ Walter Mclaughlin                 /s/ illegible
     --------------------------------      ---------------------------
      Trustee                               Witness

      /s/ William Shea                      /s/ illegible
     --------------------------------       --------------------------
     Trustee                               Witness

     --------------------------------      ---------------------------
     Trustee                               Witness

LESSEE:

MERRILL COMMUNICATIONS LLC

By: /s/ Mark A. Rossi
   ---------------------------
      Mark A. Rossi

Its:  President
      Investment Company Services

                                       11<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15

                         CORPORATE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT
                                   BETWEEN THE
                           OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
                                     OF THE
                     DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
                                       AND
                         COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
I.    PREAMBLE

       Community Health Systems, Inc. ("Community Health") hereby enters into
this Corporate Compliance Agreement ("CCA") with the Office of Inspector General
("OIG") of the United States Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") on
behalf of itself and any and all subsidiary hospitals of Community Health. For
the purposes of the CCA, Community Health and each of its subsidiary hospitals
shall hereinafter individually and collectively be referred to as "CHS."
Community Health enters into this CCA to ensure compliance by CHS and all
employees, contractors and agents of CHS with the requirements of Medicare,
Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs (as defined in 42 U.S.C. ss.
1320a-7b(f) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Federal health care
programs"). CHS's compliance with the terms and conditions in this CCA shall
constitute an element of CHS's present responsibility with regard to
participation in the Federal health care programs. Contemporaneously with this
CCA, Community Health is entering into a settlement agreement with the United
States (the "Settlement Agreement"), and this CCA is incorporated by reference
into the Settlement Agreement.

       Community Health represents that, prior to this CCA, Community Health
voluntarily established a Corporate Compliance Program which provides, inter
alia, for a Corporate Compliance Officer, various compliance committees, a
compliance training and education program, a confidential reporting hotline, and
auditing and monitoring activities, and which includes various policies and
procedures aimed at ensuring that CHS's participation in the Federal health care
programs conforms to all federal laws, state laws, and Federal health care
program requirements. The present version of Community Health's Corporate
Compliance Program was set forth in a formal document dated April 28, 1999
(hereinafter, the "Corporate Compliance Program").

       Pursuant to this CCA, Community Health agrees to operate its Corporate
Compliance Program consistent with the requirements of this CCA and to adopt
or modify any components of the Corporate Compliance Program as needed to be
in compliance with all of the corporate integrity obligations undertaken by
CHS under this CCA.

II.   TERM OF THE CCA

       The period of the compliance obligations assumed by CHS under this CCA
shall be three (3) years from the effective date of this CCA (unless otherwise
specified). The effective date of this CCA will be the date on which the final
signatory of this CCA executes this CCA.

                                       1
<PAGE>

III.  CORPORATE INTEGRITY OBLIGATIONS

      CHS shall comply with the following corporate integrity obligations
and shall ensure that the obligations specified below are incorporated into
or met by the Corporate Compliance Program.

      A.    CORPORATE COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND COMMITTEE

            1.    CORPORATE COMPLIANCE OFFICER. Community Health has appointed a
Corporate Compliance Officer. Within 120 days of the effective date of this CCA,
Community Health shall ensure that, pursuant to the Corporate Compliance
Program, the Corporate Compliance Officer (i) will provide regular (at least
quarterly) reports regarding compliance matters directly to the CEO and/or the
Board of Directors of Community Health, and shall be authorized to report to the
Board of Directors at any time; (ii) shall be responsible for developing and
implementing policies, procedures, and practices designed to ensure compliance
with the requirements set forth in this CCA and with the requirements of the
Federal health care programs; and (iii) shall be responsible for monitoring the
day-to-day activities engaged in by CHS to further its compliance objectives as
well as for any reporting obligations created under this CCA. In the event a new
Corporate Compliance Officer is appointed during the term of this CCA, CHS shall
notify OIG, in writing, within fifteen (15) days of such a change.

            2.    CORPORATE COMPLIANCE WORK GROUP. Community Health has
appointed a Corporate Compliance Work Group. Within 120 days of the effective
date of this CCA, CHS shall ensure that, pursuant to the Corporate Compliance
Plan, (i) the Corporate Compliance Work Group, at a minimum, includes the
Corporate Compliance Officer and any other appropriate officers as necessary to
meet the requirements of this CCA within Community Health's corporate structure
(e.g., senior executives of each major department, such as billing, human
resources, audit, and operations); and (ii) the Corporate Compliance Officer
shall chair the Corporate Compliance Work Group and the Corporate Compliance
Work Group shall support the Corporate Compliance Officer in fulfilling his or
her responsibilities.

            3.    FACILITY COMPLIANCE CHAIRS AND COMMITTEES. The Corporate
Compliance Program provides for a Facility Compliance Committee and a Facility
Compliance Chair at each CHS hospital. Within 120 days of the effective date of
this CCA, CHS shall ensure that, pursuant to the Corporate Compliance Program,
(i) each CHS hospital has appointed a Facility Compliance Committee and a
Facility Compliance Chair; (ii) the responsibilities of the Facility Compliance
Chair shall include those responsibilities set forth as the "delegated
responsibilities of the Facility Compliance Committees" on pages five and six of
Community Health's Corporate Compliance Program, as adopted on April 28, 1999;
and (iii) the Facility Compliance Committee includes, at a minimum, a Facility
Compliance Chair and any other appropriate officers as necessary to meet the
requirements of this CCA within the hospital's management structure (e.g.,
senior managers of each major department). The Facility Compliance Chairs shall
report to the Corporate Compliance Officer and shall chair the Facility
Compliance Committees, and the Facility Compliance Committees shall support the
Facility Compliance Chairs in fulfilling their duties.

                                       2
<PAGE>

      B.    WRITTEN STANDARDS

            1.    BUSINESS ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT POLICY. Community
Health has developed and implemented a Business Ethics and Standards of Conduct
Policy (the "Ethics and Conduct Policy"). Within 120 days of the effective date
of this CCA, CHS shall amend the Ethics and Conduct Policy to be consistent with
the terms of this CCA and to meet the requirements set forth below. Within 120
days of the effective date of this CCA, the Ethics and Conduct Policy, as
amended, shall be distributed to all employees, all physicians with medical
staff privileges at any CHS hospital, and all contractors and agents of CHS with
direct responsibility for the delivery, billing, or coding of health care
services, (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Covered Persons"). The
Ethics and Conduct Policy, shall, at a minimum, set forth:

                  a.    CHS's commitment to full compliance with all
                        statutes, regulations, and guidelines applicable to
                        Federal health care programs, including its
                        commitment to prepare and submit accurate billings
                        consistent with Federal health care program
                        regulations and procedures or instructions otherwise
                        communicated by appropriate regulatory agencies,
                        e.g., the Health Care Financing Administration
                        ("HCFA"), and/or their agents;

                  b.    CHS's requirement that all of its Covered Persons shall
                        be expected to comply with all statutes, regulations,
                        and guidelines applicable to Federal health care
                        programs and with CHS's own Policies and Procedures
                        (including the requirements of this CCA);

                  c.    the requirement that all of CHS's Covered Persons shall
                        be expected to report suspected violations of any
                        statute, regulation, or guideline applicable to Federal
                        health care programs or of CHS's own Policies and
                        Procedures;

                  d.    the possible consequences to both CHS and Covered
                        Persons of failure to comply with all statutes,
                        regulations, and guidelines applicable to Federal health
                        care programs and with CHS's own Policies and Procedures
                        or of failure to report such non-compliance; and

                  e.    the right of all Covered Persons to use the Confidential
                        Disclosure Program, as well as CHS's commitment to
                        confidentiality and non-retaliation with respect to
                        disclosures.

      CHS shall make the promotion of, and adherence to, the Ethics and Conduct
Policy an element in evaluating the performance of managers, supervisors, and
all other employees.

      Within 120 days of the effective date of the CCA, and except as excused
in sections III.C.3-4, below, each Covered Person shall affirm, in writing, that
he or she has received, read,

                                       3
<PAGE>

understands, and will abide by CHS's Ethics and Conduct Policy. New Covered
Persons shall receive the Ethics and Conduct Policy and shall complete the
required affirmation within one week after becoming a Covered Person or within
120 days of the effective date of the CCA, whichever is later.

       CHS will annually review the Ethics and Conduct Policy and will make any
necessary revisions. These revisions shall be distributed within 30 days of
completing such a change. Covered Persons shall affirm on an annual basis that
they have received, read, understand and will abide by the Ethics and Conduct
Policy.

            2.    POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Community Health has developed
written Policies and Procedures as part of its Corporate Compliance Program.
Within 120 days of the effective date of this CCA, CHS shall ensure that the
Policies and Procedures of the Corporate Compliance Program (i) address the
operation of CHS's compliance program and its compliance with all federal and
state health care statutes, regulations, and guidelines, including the
requirements of the Federal health care programs; (ii) specifically address, at
a minimum, proper coding for hospital stays; and (iii) include disciplinary
guidelines and methods for employees and other individuals to make disclosures
or otherwise report on compliance issues to CHS management through the
Confidential Disclosure Program required by Section III.E. CHS shall assess and
update as necessary the Policies and Procedures at least annually and more
frequently, as appropriate. A summary of the Policies and Procedures will be
provided to OIG in the first Annual Report. The Policies and Procedures will be
available to OIG upon request.

      Within 120 days of the effective date of the CCA, CHS shall ensure that
pursuant to the Corporate Compliance Program, the relevant portions of the
Policies and Procedures, as amended to meet the requirements of this section,
shall be distributed to all members of the Compliance Work Group and of the
Facility Compliance Committees. In addition, within 120 days of the effective
date of this CCA, the relevant portions of the Policies and Procedures, as
amended to meet the requirements of this section, shall be made available to all
appropriate Covered Persons. Compliance staff or supervisors should be available
to explain any and all Policies and Procedures.

      C.    TRAINING AND EDUCATION

            1.    GENERAL TRAINING. Within 120 days of the effective date of
this CCA, CHS shall provide at least one (1) hour of training to each Covered
Person (the "General Training"). This General Training shall explain CHS's:

                  a.    Corporate Compliance Agreement requirements;

                  b.    Compliance Program (including the Policies and
                        Procedures as they pertain to general compliance
                        issues); and

                  c.    Ethics and Conduct Policy.

                                       4
<PAGE>

      New Covered Persons shall receive the General Training described above
within 30 days of becoming a Covered Person or within 120 days after the
effective date of this CCA, whichever is later. Each Covered Person shall
receive such General Training on an annual basis. All training materials used
for the General Training shall be made available to OIG upon request.

            2.    SPECIFIC TRAINING. Within 120 days of the effective date of
this CCA, each Covered Person who is a physician or is involved in the
preparation or submission of claims for reimbursement (including, but not
limited to, coding and billing) from any Federal health care program shall
receive at least four (4) hours of training (the "Specific Training") in
addition to the General Training required above. CHS shall ensure that, pursuant
to the Corporate Compliance Program, and as appropriate to the Covered Person's
individual responsibilities, the Specific Training includes a discussion of:

                  a.    the submission of accurate bills for services
                        rendered to Federal health care program patients;

                  b.    policies, procedures and other requirements applicable
                        to the documentation of medical records;

                  c.    the personal obligation of each individual involved in
                        the billing process to ensure that such billings are
                        accurate;

                  d.    applicable reimbursement statutes, regulations, and
                        program requirements and directives;

                  e.    the legal sanctions for improper billings; and

                  f.    examples of proper and improper billing practices.

Persons providing the Specific Training must be knowledgeable about the subject
area.

      Affected new Covered Persons shall receive the Specific Training within
30 days of becoming a Covered Person or within 120 days of the effective date of
this CCA, whichever is later. If a new Covered Person who is a physician or is
involved in the preparation or submission of claims for reimbursement
(including, but not limited to, coding and billing) from any Federal health care
program has any responsibility for the delivery of patient care, the preparation
or submission of claims, and/or the assignment of procedure codes prior to
completing this Specific Training, a Covered Person who has completed the
Specific Training shall review all of the untrained person's work regarding the
delivery of patient care, the preparation or submission of claims, and the
assignment of procedure codes.

      Covered Persons who have received the above-required Specific Training,
or its equivalent, within 12 months prior to the effective date of this CCA are
exempted from the above four (4) hour Specific Training requirement for the
first year of this CCA only. CHS shall maintain records sufficient to support a
listing of those Covered Persons for whom CHS is

                                       5
<PAGE>

claiming such an exemption as well as the date(s) and topics of the training
received by those Covered Persons.

      Every Covered Person who is a physician or is involved in the preparation
or submission of claims for reimbursement (including, but not limited to, coding
and billing) from any Federal health care program shall receive at least four
(4) hours of such Specific Training on an annual basis. All training materials
used for the Specific Training shall be made available to OIG upon request.

            3.    EXCEPTION FOR PHYSICIANS WITH MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this CCA, CHS shall make the General
Training and the Specific Training, where appropriate, available to all
physicians with medical staff privileges at any CHS hospital, and shall use its
best efforts to encourage their attendance and participation. The Facility
Compliance Officer at each CHS hospital shall maintain records of the percentage
of all physicians with medical staff privileges at his or her hospital who
attend such training.

            4.    EXCEPTION FOR PRE-EXISTING CONTRACTORS. The term "Pre-Existing
Contractors" shall refer to Covered Persons who are independent contractors with
whom CHS has an existing contract on the effective date of this CCA that has not
been renewed or modified after the effective date of this CCA. Once CHS
renegotiates, modifies, or renews a contract with an existing contractor, that
contractor ceases to be a Pre-Existing Contractor as that term is used for the
purposes of this CCA, and CHS will have full responsibility for the
certification and training compliance obligations as pertain to that contractor.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this CCA, the following are CHS's only
obligations hereunder with respect to training and certification for
Pre-Existing Contractors: (a) CHS shall attempt to renegotiate its contracts
with Pre-Existing Contractors to require such contractors to meet all of the
certification and training requirements of this CCA that apply to such
contractors, and (b) CHS shall make the General Training and the Specific
Training, where appropriate, available to all Pre-Existing Contractors, and
shall use its best efforts to encourage their attendance and participation. The
Facility Compliance Officer at each CHS hospital shall keep a record of all
Pre-Existing Contractors with contracts with his or her hospital who attend such
training.

            5.    CERTIFICATION. Each individual who is required to attend
training shall certify, in writing, that he or she has attended the required
training. The certification shall specify the type of training received and the
date received. The Facility Compliance Chair for each CHS hospital shall retain
the certifications for all Covered Persons for his or her hospital, along with
the specific course materials utilized. The Corporate Compliance Officer shall
retain the certifications for all Covered Persons not affiliated with a specific
CHS hospital, along with the specific course materials utilized. The
certifications and the materials shall be made available to OIG upon request.

      D.    REVIEW PROCEDURES

      CHS shall retain one or more entities, such as an accounting, auditing or
consulting firms, (hereinafter "Independent Review Organization" or "IRO") to
perform review procedures to

                                       6
<PAGE>

assist CHS in assessing the adequacy of its billing and compliance practices
pursuant to this CCA. The IROs must have expertise in the billing, coding,
reporting and other requirements of the Federal health care programs from which
CHS seeks reimbursement.

       The Independent Review Organizations will conduct two separate
engagements. One will be an analysis of the inpatient ICD-9 and diagnosis
related group ("DRG") coding of each CHS hospital (the "DRG Review") to assist
the CHS and OIG in determining compliance with all applicable statutes,
regulations, and directives/guidance (the "DRG Review"). The second engagement
will determine whether CHS is in compliance with this CCA (the "Compliance
Engagement").

            1.    DRG REVIEW. Community Health represents that it has engaged,
and will continue to engage for the term of this CCA, an Independent Review
Organization to review the inpatient DRG coding of each CHS hospital. Within 120
days after the effective date of this CCA, CHS shall ensure that, pursuant to
the Corporate Compliance Program, (i) the IRO has expertise in the billing,
coding, reporting and other requirements of the Federal health care programs
from which CHS seeks reimbursement; and (ii) the protocol for the DRG Review
meets the following requirements:

                  a.    each quarter, for each hospital, 40% of all DRG
                        discharges shall be reviewed;

                  b.    the discharges selected for review must be selected
                        through random number sampling. To generate the random
                        sample, CHS or the IRO shall use OIG's Office of Audit
                        Services Statistical Sampling Software, also known as
                        "RAT-STATS," which is available through the Internet at
                        "www.hhs.gov/oig/oas/ratstat.htm];

                  c.    at each hospital, for any billing errors or inaccuracies
                        found, the coding personnel at that hospital shall
                        receive training regarding the errors or inaccuracies;

                  d.    if a hospital achieves an error rate of 3% or less,
                        based on total number of discharges reviewed, then CHS
                        may elect to skip that hospital in the next quarterly
                        review, however that hospital shall be included in the
                        following quarter's review;

                  e.    if a hospital maintains an error rate of 3% or less for
                        two successive reviews, then CHS may elect to skip that
                        hospital for the next three quarterly reviews; and

                  f.    in no event will a CHS hospital be subjected to a DRG
                        review less frequently than once per year.

      For the purposes of this CCA, the "error rate" shall be defined as the
gross financial error rate, i.e., the percentage of amounts paid for the sample
discharges that were overpayments (with

                                       7
<PAGE>

no reduction for underpayments). The 3% error rate threshold, as used in this
section, is solely the criteria for whether CHS may elect to skip a hospital's
quarterly DRG review. Nothing in this section relieves CHS of its responsibility
to correct inaccuracies identified for any claim selected as part of any DRG
review.

      CHS shall continue to engage an IRO to perform these quarterly DRG
Reviews for the term of this CCA.

      A detailed summary of the reports prepared pursuant to the IRO's DRG
Reviews, including the percentage error rates for each DRG reviewed at each
hospital and a description of the methodologies used, shall be included in each
of CHS's Annual Reports to OIG. The IRO's complete DRG Review reports shall be
maintained by CHS and provided to the OIG upon request.

            2.    COMPLIANCE ENGAGEMENT. An Independent Review Organization
shall also conduct a Compliance Engagement, that shall provide findings
regarding whether CHS's program, policies, procedures, and operations comply
with the terms of this CCA. The Compliance Engagement shall include section by
section findings regarding the requirements of this CCA. The Compliance
Engagement shall be performed annually and cover each of the one-year periods
beginning on the effective date of this CCA or the anniversary of that date.

      Based on the results of the first Compliance Engagement and on the
results of the DRG Reviews for the first year of the term of this CCA, OIG may,
at its sole discretion, relieve CHS of its obligation to retain and IRO to
conduct a Compliance Engagement for the second and third years of this CCA.

      A complete copy of the Independent Review Organization's Compliance
Engagement report shall be included in each of CHS's Annual Reports to OIG.

            3.    VERIFICATION/VALIDATION.  In the event that the OIG has
reason to believe that CHS's DRG Review fails to conform materially to its
obligations under the CCA or indicates improper billings not otherwise
adequately addressed in the DRG Review report, and thus determines that it is
necessary to conduct an independent review to determine whether or the extent
to which CHS is complying with its obligations under this CCA, CHS agrees to
pay for the reasonable cost of any such review or engagement by the OIG or
any of its designated agents.

      E.    CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE PROGRAM

      Community Health represents that prior to the effective date of this CCA,
it had established an "Ethics HOTLINE." Within 120 days after the effective date
of this CCA, CHS shall ensure that, pursuant to its Corporate Compliance
Program, it has established a Confidential Disclosure Program, which includes
measures (e.g., the Ethics HOTLINE) to enable employees, contractors, agents or
other individuals to disclose, to the Corporate Compliance Officer or some other
person who is not in the disclosing individual's chain of command, any
identified issues or questions associated with CHS's policies, practices or
procedures with respect to a Federal health care program, believed by the
individual to be inappropriate. CHS shall publicize the existence

                                       8
<PAGE>

of the Ethics HOTLINE (e.g., e-mail to employees or post hotline number in
prominent common areas).

      Pursuant to the Corporate Compliance Program, the Confidential Disclosure
Program shall emphasize a non-retribution, non-retaliation policy, and shall
include a reporting mechanism for anonymous, confidential communication. Upon
receipt of a disclosure, the Corporate Compliance Officer (or designee) shall
gather the information in such a way as to elicit all relevant information from
the disclosing individual. The Corporate Compliance Officer (or designee) shall
make a preliminary good faith inquiry into the allegations set forth in every
disclosure to ensure that he or she has obtained all of the information
necessary to determine whether a further review should be conducted. For any
disclosure that is sufficiently specific so that it reasonably (i) permits a
determination of the appropriateness of the alleged improper practice; and (ii)
provides an opportunity for taking corrective action, CHS shall conduct an
internal review of the allegations set forth in such a disclosure and ensure
that proper follow-up is conducted.

      The Corporate Compliance Officer shall maintain a Confidential
Disclosure Log, which shall include a record and summary of each allegation
received, the status of the respective investigations, and any corrective
action taken in response to the investigation.

      F.    INELIGIBLE PERSONS

            1.    DEFINITION. For purposes of this CCA, an "Ineligible Person"
shall be any individual or entity who: (i) is currently excluded, suspended,
debarred or otherwise ineligible to participate in the Federal health care
programs; or (ii) has been convicted of a criminal offense related to the
provision of health care items or services and has not been reinstated in the
Federal health care programs after a period of exclusion, suspension, debarment,
or ineligibility.

            2.    SCREENING REQUIREMENTS. CHS shall not hire or engage as
contractors any Ineligible Person. To prevent hiring or contracting with any
Ineligible Person, CHS shall screen all prospective employees and prospective
contractors prior to engaging their services by: (i) requiring applicants to
disclose whether they are Ineligible Persons, and (ii) reviewing the General
Services Administration's List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
(available through the internet at http://www.arnet.gov/epls) and the HHS/OIG
List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (available through the Internet at
http://www.dhhs.gov/oig) (these lists will hereinafter be referred to as the
"Exclusion Lists").

            3.    REVIEW AND REMOVAL REQUIREMENT. Within 120 days of the
effective date of this CCA, CHS will review its list of current employees and
contractors against the Exclusion Lists. Thereafter, CHS will review the list
annually. If CHS has notice that an employee or contractor has become an
Ineligible Person, CHS will remove such person from responsibility for, or
involvement with, CHS's business operations related to the Federal health care
programs and shall remove such person from any position for which the person's
salary or the items or services rendered, ordered, or prescribed by the person
are paid in whole or part, directly or indirectly, by Federal health care
programs or otherwise with Federal funds at least until such time as the person
is reinstated into participation in the Federal health care programs.

                                       9
<PAGE>

            4.    PHYSICIANS WITH STAFF PRIVILEGES. Prior to allowing a
physician to begin performing services at a CHS hospital after the effective
date of this CCA, CHS shall screen in the manner described in section III.F.2
above to determine if the physician is an Ineligible Person. Furthermore, CHS
shall review its list of physicians who are allowed to perform services at any
CHS hospital against the Exclusion Lists within 120 days of the effective date
of this CCA and at least annually thereafter. If such a physician is an
Ineligible Person, CHS shall ensure that the physician does not provide, order,
or prescribe any items or services payable in whole or in part by any Federal
health care program. In addition to any other appropriate measures, CHS shall
ensure that any physician who is an Ineligible Person is not "on call" at any
CHS hospital.

            5.    PENDING CHARGES AND PROPOSED EXCLUSIONS. If CHS has notice
that an employee or contractor is charged with a criminal offense related to any
Federal health care program, or is proposed for exclusion during his or her
employment or contract, CHS shall take all appropriate actions to ensure that
the responsibilities of that employee or contractor do not adversely affect the
quality of care rendered to any patient or resident, or the accuracy of any
claims submitted to any Federal health care program.

      G. NOTIFICATION OF PROCEEDINGS

      Within 30 days of discovery, CHS shall notify OIG, in writing, of any
ongoing investigation or legal proceeding conducted or brought by a governmental
entity or its agents involving an allegation that CHS has committed a crime or
has engaged in fraudulent activities or any other knowing misconduct. This
notification shall include a description of the allegation, the identity of the
investigating or prosecuting agency, and the status of such investigation or
legal proceeding. CHS shall also provide written notice to OIG within 30 days of
the resolution of the matter, and shall provide OIG with a description of the
findings and/or results of the proceedings, if any.

      H. REPORTING

            1.    REPORTING OF OVERPAYMENTS. If, at any time, CHS identifies or
learns of any billing, coding or other policies, procedures and/or practices
that result in an overpayment, CHS shall notify the payer (e.g., Medicare fiscal
intermediary or carrier) within 30 days of discovering the overpayment and take
remedial steps within 60 days of discovery (or such additional time as may be
agreed to by the payor) to correct the problem, including preventing the
underlying problem and the overpayments from recurring. Notification to the
payor should be done pursuant to a form similar to the Overpayment Refund Form,
provided as Attachment A to this CCA.

            2.    REPORTING OF MATERIAL DEFICIENCIES. If CHS determines that
there is a material deficiency, CHS shall notify the OIG within 30 days of
making the determination that the material deficiency exists. The report to the
OIG shall include the following information:

                  a.    If the material deficiency results in an overpayment,
                        the report to the OIG shall be made at the same time as
                        the notification to the

                                       10
<PAGE>

                        payor required in Section H.1, and shall include all of
                        the information on the Overpayment Refund Form, as well
                        as:

                        (i)   the payor's name, address, and contact person
                              where the overpayment was sent; and

                        (ii)  the date of the check and identification number
                              (or electronic transaction number) on which the
                              overpayment was repaid;

                  b.    a complete description of the material deficiency,
                        including the relevant facts, persons involved, and
                        legal and program authorities;

                  c.    CHS's actions to correct the material deficiency, and

                  d.    any further steps CHS plans to take to address such
                        material deficiency and prevent it from recurring.

            3.    DEFINITION OF "OVERPAYMENT." For purposes of this CCA, an
"overpayment" shall mean the amount of money CHS has received in excess of the
amount due and payable under the Federal health care programs' statutes,
regulations or program directives, including carrier and intermediary
instructions.

            4.    DEFINITION OF "MATERIAL DEFICIENCY." For purposes of this CCA,
a "material deficiency" means anything that involves:

                  a.    a substantial overpayment relating to any Federal
                        health care program; or

                  b.    a matter that a reasonable person would consider a
                        potential violation of criminal, civil, or
                        administrative laws applicable to any Federal health
                        care program.

      A material deficiency may be the result of an isolated event or a series
of occurrences.

IV.   NEW BUSINESS UNITS OR LOCATIONS

      In the event that CHS purchases or establishes new business units after
the effective date of this CCA, CHS shall notify OIG of this fact within 30 days
of the date of purchase or establishment. This notification shall include the
location of the new operation(s), telephone number, facsimile number, Federal
health care program provider number(s) (if any), and the corresponding payor(s)
(contractor specific) that has issued each provider number. All Covered Persons
at such locations shall be subject to the requirements in this CCA that apply to
new Covered Persons (e.g., completing affirmations and certifications and
undergoing training).

                                       11
<PAGE>

V.    ANNUAL REPORTS

      CHS shall submit to OIG Annual Reports with respect to the status and
findings of CHS's compliance activities.

      A.    FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

      The first Annual Report shall include:

            1.    any change in the name, address, telephone number and position
                  description of the Corporate Compliance Officer required by
                  Section III.A.1 from the information provided on pages three
                  and four of Community Heath's Corporate Compliance Program as
                  adopted on April 28, 1999 or from the information provided in
                  Section VI of this CCA;

            2.    any change in the names and positions of the members of the
                  Corporate Compliance Work Group required by Section III.A.2
                  from the information provided on page five of Community
                  Health's Corporate Compliance Program as adopted on April
                  28, 1999;

            3.    a copy of the Ethics and Conduct Policy required by Section
                  III.B.1;

            4.    a summary of the Policies and Procedures required by Section
                  III.B.2;

            5.    a description of the training programs required by Section
                  III.C including a description of the targeted audiences and
                  a schedule of when the training sessions were held, as well
                  as a list of Covered Persons exempted from the Specific
                  Training requirements who have received the above-required
                  Specific Training, or its equivalent, within 12 months
                  prior to the effective date of this CCA as well as the
                  date(s) and topics of the training received by those
                  Covered Persons;

            6.    a certification by the Corporate Compliance Officer that:

                  a.    all Covered Persons have completed the Ethics and
                        Conduct Policy affirmation required by Section
                        III.B.1;

                  b.    the Policies and Procedures required by Section III.B.2
                        have been developed, are being implemented, and have
                        been distributed to all members of the Corporate
                        Compliance Working Group and to all members of the
                        Facility Compliance Committees;

                  c.    all Covered Persons (other than those exempted and
                        identified through item 5 of the First Annual Report,
                        above) have completed the training and executed the
                        certifications required by Section III.C; and

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  d.    CHS has complied with its obligations under the
                        Settlement Agreement: (i) not to resubmit to any
                        Federal health care program payors any previously
                        denied claims related to the conduct addressed in the
                        Settlement Agreement, and its obligation not to
                        appeal any such denials of claims, and (ii) not to
                        charge to or otherwise seek payment from federal or
                        state payors for unallowable costs (as defined in the
                        Settlement Agreement) and its obligation to identify
                        and adjust any past charges of unallowable costs;

            7.    a copy of CHS's policies regarding the Confidential Disclosure
                  Program required by Section III.H;

            8.    the identity of the Independent Review Organization(s) engaged
                  by CHS for the DRG Reviews and a detailed summary of the
                  reports prepared pursuant to the DRG Reviews, including the
                  percentage error rates for each DRG reviewed at each hospital
                  and a description of the methodologies used;

            9.    the identity of the Independent Review Organization engaged
                  for the Compliance Engagement and complete copy of the report
                  prepared pursuant to the Compliance Engagement, including a
                  copy of the methodology used;

            10.   CHS's response/corrective action plan to any issues raised by
                  the Independent Review Organization(s);

            11.   a summary of material deficiencies, and corresponding
                  corrective action plans, identified and reported throughout
                  the course of the previous twelve (12) months pursuant to
                  III.H;

            12.   a report of the aggregate overpayments that have been returned
                  to the Federal health care programs. Overpayment amounts
                  should be broken down into the following categories: Medicare,
                  Medicaid (report each applicable state separately), and other
                  Federal health care programs;

            13.   a copy of the Confidential Disclosure Log required by Section
                  III.E;

            14.   a description of any personnel actions (other than hiring)
                  taken by CHS as a result of the obligations in Section III.F,
                  and the name, title, and responsibilities of any person that
                  falls within the ambit of Section III.F.4, and the actions
                  taken in response to the obligations set forth in that
                  Section;

            15.   a summary describing any ongoing investigation or legal
                  proceeding conducted or brought by a governmental entity
                  involving an allegation that

                                       13
<PAGE>

                  CHS has committed a crime or has engaged in fraudulent
                  activities, which have been reported pursuant to Section
                  III.G. The statement shall include a description of the
                  allegation, the identity of the investigating or prosecuting
                  agency, and the status of such investigation, legal proceeding
                  or requests for information; and

            16.   a list of all of CHS's locations (including locations and
                  mailing addresses), the corresponding name under which each
                  location is doing business, the corresponding telephone
                  numbers and facsimile numbers, each location's Federal health
                  care program supplier number(s), and the name, address, and
                  telephone number of the payor (specific contractor) that
                  issued each provider identification number.

      B.    SECOND AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORTS

      The second and third Annual Reports shall include the following:

            1.    any change in the identity or position description of the
                  Corporate Compliance Officer or the members of the
                  Corporate Compliance Working Group described in Section
                  III.A;

            2.    a certification by the Corporate Compliance Officer that:

                  a.   all Covered Persons have completed the annual Ethics and
                       Conduct Policy affirmation required by Section III.B.1;

                  b.   all Covered Persons have completed the training and
                       executed the certification required by Section III.C; and

                  c.   CHS has complied with its obligations under the
                       Settlement Agreement: (i) not to resubmit to any Federal
                       health care program payors any previously denied claims
                       related to the conduct addressed in the Settlement
                       Agreement, and its obligation not to appeal any such
                       denials of claims, and (ii) not to charge to or otherwise
                       seek payment from federal or state payors for unallowable
                       costs (as defined in the Settlement Agreement) and its
                       obligation to identify and adjust any past charges of
                       unallowable costs;

            3.    notification of any changes or amendments to the Policies and
                  Procedures required by Section III.B and the reasons for such
                  changes (E.G., change in contractor policy);

            4.    the identity of the Independent Review Organization(s)
                  engaged by CHS for the DRG Reviews and a detailed summary
                  of the reports prepared pursuant to the DRG Reviews,
                  including the percentage error rates for each DRG reviewed
                  at each hospital and a description of the

                                       14
<PAGE>

                  methodologies used, and a complete copy of the report
                  prepared pursuant to the Compliance Engagement (if
                  required), including a copy of the methodology used;

            5.    CHS's response/corrective action plan to any issues raised by
                  the Independent Review Organization(s);

            6.    a summary of material deficiencies, and corresponding
                  corrective action plans, identified and reported throughout
                  the course of the previous twelve (12) months pursuant to
                  III.H;

            7.    a report of the aggregate overpayments that have been returned
                  to the Federal health care programs. Overpayment amounts
                  should be broken down into the following categories: Medicare,
                  Medicaid (report each applicable state separately) and other
                  Federal health care programs;

            8.    a copy of the Confidential Disclosure Log required by Section
                  III.E;

            9.    a description of any personnel actions (other than hiring)
                  taken by CHS as a result of the obligations in Section III.F,
                  and the name, title, and responsibilities of any person that
                  falls within the ambit of Section III.F.4, and the actions
                  taken in response to the obligations set forth in that
                  Section;

            10.   a summary describing any ongoing investigation or legal
                  proceeding conducted or brought by a governmental entity
                  involving an allegation that CHS has committed a crime or
                  has engaged in fraudulent activities, which have been
                  reported pursuant to Section III.G.  The statement shall
                  include a description of the allegation, the identity of
                  the investigating or prosecuting agency, and the status of
                  such investigation, legal proceeding or requests for
                  information;

            11.   a description of all changes to the most recently provided
                  list (as updated) of CHS's locations (including locations
                  and mailing addresses), the corresponding name under which
                  each location is doing business, the corresponding phone
                  numbers and fax numbers, each location's Federal health
                  care program provider identification number(s), and the
                  payor (specific contractor) that issued each provider
                  identification number,

      C.    CERTIFICATIONS

      All Annual Reports shall include a certification by the Corporate
Compliance Officer under penalty of perjury, that: (1) CHS is in compliance
with all of the requirements of this CCA, to the best of his or her
knowledge; and (2) the Corporate Compliance Officer has reviewed the Report
and has made reasonable inquiry regarding its content and believes that, upon
such inquiry, the information is accurate and truthful.

                                       15
<PAGE>

      D.    ANNUAL REPORT DUE DATES

      The first Annual Report shall be received by the OIG no later than one
year and 30 days after the effective date of this CCA.  The second and third
Annual Reports shall be received by the OIG no later than two years and 30
days, and three years and 30 days, respectively, after the effective date of
this CCA.

VI.   NOTIFICATIONS AND SUBMISSION OF REPORTS

      Unless otherwise stated in writing subsequent to the effective date of
this CCA, all notifications and reports required under this CCA shall be
submitted to the entities listed below:

OIG:

                   Civil Recoveries Branch - Compliance Unit
                   Office of Counsel to the Inspector General
                   Office of Inspector General
                   U.S, Department of Health and Human Services
                   Cohen Building, Room 5527
                   330 Independence Avenue, SW
                   Washington, DC 20201
                   Telephone: (202) 619-2078
                   Facsimile: (202) 205-0604

CHS:
                   Martin G. Schweinhart
                   Corporate Compliance Officer
                   Community Health Systems, Inc.
                   155 Franklin Road, Suite 400
                   Brentwood, TN 37027-4600
                   Telephone: (615) 376-3412
                   Facsimile: (615) 309-5142

VII.  OIG INSPECTION, AUDIT AND REVIEW RIGHTS

      In addition to any other rights OIG may have by statute, regulation, or
contract, OIG or its duly authorized representative(s), may examine CHS's books,
records, and other documents and supporting materials and/or conduct an on-site
review of any of CHS's locations for the purpose of verifying and evaluating:
(a) CHS's compliance with the terms of this CCA; and (b) CHS's compliance with
the requirements of the Federal health care programs in which it participates.
The documentation described above shall be made available by CHS to OIG or its
duly authorized representative(s) at all reasonable times for inspection, audit
or reproduction. Furthermore, for purposes of this provision, OIG or its duly
authorized representative(s) may interview any of CHS's employees, contractors,
or agents who consent to be interviewed at the individual's place of business
during normal business hours or at such other place and time as may be mutually
agreed upon between the individual and OIG. CHS agrees to assist OIG in

                                       16
<PAGE>

contacting and arranging interviews with such individuals upon OIG's request.
CHS's employees may elect to be interviewed with or without a representative of
CHS present.

VIII. DOCUMENT AND RECORD RETENTION

      Pursuant to the Corporate Compliance Program, CHS shall maintain for
inspection all documents and records relating to reimbursement from the
Federal health care programs or to compliance with this CCA, for four (4)
years (or longer if otherwise required).

IX.   DISCLOSURES

      Subject to HHS's Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") procedures, set
forth in 45 C.F.R. Part 5; the OIG shall make a reasonable effort to notify CHS
prior to any release by OIG of information submitted by CHS pursuant to its
obligations under this CCA and identified upon submission by CHS as trade
secrets, commercial or financial information and privileged and confidential
under the FOIA rules. CHS shall refrain from identifying any information as
trade secrets, commercial or financial information and privileged and
confidential that does not meet the criteria for exemption from disclosure under
FOIA.

X.    BREACH AND DEFAULT PROVISIONS

      CHS is expected to fully and timely comply with all of the obligations
herein throughout the term of this CCA or other time frames herein agreed to.

      A.    STIPULATED PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS

      As a contractual remedy, Community Health and OIG hereby agree that
failure to comply with certain obligations set forth in this CCA may lead to the
imposition of the following monetary penalties (hereinafter referred to as
"Stipulated Penalties") in accordance with the following provisions,

            1.    A Stipulated Penalty of $2,500 (which shall begin to accrue on
the day after the date the obligation became due) for each day, beginning 120
days after the effective date of this CCA and concluding at the end of the term
of this CCA, CHS fails to have in place any of the following:

                  a.    a Corporate Compliance Officer;

                  b.    a Corporate Compliance Working Group;

                  c.    Facility Compliance Chairs and Facility Compliance
                        Committees at each CHS hospital;

                  d.    a written Ethics and Conduct Policy;

                  e.    written Policies and Procedures;

                                       17
<PAGE>

                  f.    a training program, and

                  g.    a Confidential Disclosure Program;

            2.    A Stipulated Penalty of $2,500 (which shall begin to accrue on
the day after the date the obligation became due) for each day CHS fails to meet
any of the deadlines to submit the Annual Reports to the OIG.

            3.    A Stipulated Penalty of $2,000 (which shall begin to accrue on
the date the failure to comply began) for each day:

                  a. after CHS hires or enters into a contract with an
Ineligible Person after that person has been listed by a federal agency as
excluded, debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for participation in the
Medicare, Medicaid or any other Federal health care program (as defined in 42
U.S.C. ss. 1320a-7b(f) (this Stipulated Penalty shall not be demanded for any
time period during which CHS can demonstrate that it did not discover the
person's exclusion or other ineligibility after making a reasonable inquiry (as
described in Section III.F) as to the status of the person);

                  b. CHS employs or contracts with an Ineligible Person and that
person: (i) has responsibility for, or involvement with, CHS's business
operations related to the Federal health care programs or (ii) is in a position
for which the person's salary or the items or services rendered, ordered, or
prescribed by the person are paid in whole or part, directly or indirectly, by
Federal health care programs or otherwise with Federal funds (this Stipulated
Penalty shall not be demanded for any time period during which CHS can
demonstrate that it did not discover the person's exclusion or other
ineligibility after making a reasonable inquiry (as described in Section III.F)
as to the status of the person); or

                  c. a physician who performs services at any CHS hospital who
is an Ineligible Person provides, orders, or prescribes any items or services
payable in whole or in part by any Federal health care program to CHS (this
Stipulated Penalty shall not be demanded for any time period during which CHS
can demonstrate that it did not discover the physician's exclusion or other
ineligibility after making a reasonable inquiry (as described in section III.F.)
as to the status of the physician).

            4.    A Stipulated Penalty of $1,500 (which shall begin to accrue on
the date the CHS fails to grant access) for each day CHS fails to grant access
to the information or documentation as required in Section VII of this CCA.

            5.    A Stipulated Penalty of $1,000 (which shall begin to accrue 10
days after the date that OIG provides notice to CHS of the failure to comply; no
penalties shall be imposed under this section X.A.5 if CHS complies fully and
adequately with its obligations within 10 days of the OIG's notice of the
failure to comply) for each day CHS fails to comply fully and adequately with
any obligation of this CCA. In its notice to CHS, the OIG shall state the
specific grounds for its determination that CHS has failed to comply fully and
adequately with the CCA obligation(s) at issue.

                                       18
<PAGE>

      B. PAYMENT OF STIPULATED PENALTIES

            1.    DEMAND LETTER. Upon a finding that CHS has failed to comply
with any of the obligations described in Section X-A and determining that
Stipulated Penalties are appropriate, OIG shall notify CHS by personal service
or certified mail of (a) CHS's failure to comply; and (b) the OIG's exercise of
its contractual right to demand payment of the Stipulated Penalties (this
notification is hereinafter referred to as the "Demand Letter").

      Within fifteen (15) days of the date of the Demand Letter, CHS shall
either (a) cure the breach to the OIG's satisfaction and pay the applicable
stipulated penalties: or (b) request a hearing before an HHS administrative law
judge ("ALJ") to dispute the OIG' s determination of noncompliance, pursuant to
the agreed upon provisions set forth below in Section X.D. In the event CHS
elects to request an ALJ hearing, the Stipulated Penalties shall continue to
accrue until CHS Cures, to the OIG's satisfaction, the alleged breach in
dispute, Failure to respond to the Demand Letter in one of these two manners
within the allowed time period shall be considered a material breach of this CCA
and shall be grounds for exclusion under Section X.C.

            2.    TIMELY WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS. CHS may submit a
timely written request for an extension of time to perform any act or file any
notification or report required by this CCA. Notwithstanding any other provision
in this Section, if OIG grants the timely written request with respect to an
act, notification, or report, Stipulated Penalties for failure to perform the
act or file the notification or report shall not begin to accrue until one day
after CHS fails to meet the revised deadline set by the OIG. Notwithstanding any
other provision in this Section, if OIG denies such a timely written request,
Stipulated Penalties for failure to perform the act or file the notification or
report shall not begin to accrue until two (2) business days after CHS receives
OIG's written denial of such request. A "timely written request" is defined as a
request in writing received by OIG at least five (5) business days prior to the
date by which any act is due to be performed or any notification or report is
due to be filed.

            3.    FORM OF PAYMENT. Payment of the Stipulated Penalties shall be
made by certified or cashier's check, payable to "Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services," and submitted to OIG at the address set forth in
Section VI.

            4.    INDEPENDENCE FROM MATERIAL BREACH DETERMINATION. Except as
otherwise noted, these provisions for payment of Stipulated Penalties shall not
affect or otherwise set a standard for the OIG's determination that CHS has
materially breached this CCA, which decision shall be made at the OIG's
discretion and governed by the provisions in Section X.C, below.

      C.    MONETARY PENALTY FOR MATERIAL BREACH OF THIS CCA

            1.    DEFINITION OF "MATERIAL BREACH." A material breach of this CCA
means:

                  a.    a failure by CHS to report a material deficiency,
                        take corrective action and pay the appropriate
                        refunds, as provided in Section III.H;

                                       19
<PAGE>

                  b.    repeated or flagrant violations of the obligations under
                        this CCA, including, but not limited to, the obligations
                        addressed in Section X.A of this CCA;

                  c.    a failure to respond to a Demand Letter concerning the
                        payment of Stipulated Penalties in accordance with
                        Section X.B above; or

                  d.    a failure to retain and use an Independent Review
                        Organization for review purposes in accordance with
                        Section III.D.

            2.    NOTICE OF MATERIAL BREACH AND INTENT TO COLLECT MATERIAL
BREACH PENALTY. Community Health and OIG agree that a material breach of this
CCA by CHS constitutes grounds for OIG to impose an enhanced stipulated penalty
that is separate and apart from the Stipulated Penalties described in Sections
X.A-B, above. This monetary penalty (hereinafter referred to as the "Material
Breach Penalty") shall be $25,000 per day. Upon a determination by OIG that CHS
has materially breached this CCA and that a Material Breach Penalty should be
imposed, the OIG shall notify CHS by certified mail of (a) CHS's material
breach; and (b) OIG's intent to exercise its contractual right to impose the
Material Breach Penalty (this notification is hereinafter referred to as the
"Notice of Material Breach").

            3.    OPPORTUNITY TO CURE. CHS shall have thirty five (35) days from
the date of the Notice of Material Breach to demonstrate to the OIG's
satisfaction that:

                  a.    CHS is in full compliance with this CCA;

                  b.    the alleged material breach has been cured; or

                  c.    the alleged material breach cannot be cured within the
                        35-day period, but that: (i) CHS has begun to take
                        action to cure the material breach, (ii) CHS is pursuing
                        such action with due diligence, and (iii) CHS has
                        provided to OIG a reasonable timetable for curing the
                        material breach.

            4.    PENALTY LETTER. If at the conclusion of the thirty five (35)
day period, CHS fails to satisfy the requirements of Section X.C.3, OIG may
impose the Material Breach Penalty on CHS, and the Material Breach Penalty shall
begin to accrue on that day. OIG will notify CHS in writing of its determination
to impose the Material Breach Penalty (this letter shall be referred to
hereinafter as the "Material Breach Penalty Letter"). Within fifteen (15) days
of receipt of the Material Breach Penalty Letter, CHS shall either: (a) cure the
material breach to OIG's satisfaction and pay the applicable Material Breach
Penalty; or (b) request a hearing before an HHS administrative law judge ("ALJ")
to dispute OIG's determination of material breach, pursuant to the agreed upon
provisions set forth below in Section X.D.

                                       20
<PAGE>

      D.    DISPUTE RESOLUTION

            1.    REVIEW RIGHTS. Upon OIG's delivery to CHS of its Demand Letter
or of its Material Breach Penalty Letter, and as an agreed-upon contractual
remedy for the resolution of disputes arising under the obligation of this CCA,
CHS shall be afforded certain review rights comparable to the ones that are
provided in 42 U.S.C. ss. 1320a-7(f) and 42 C.F.R. Part 1005 as if they applied
to the Stipulated Penalty or Material Breach Penalty sought pursuant to this
CCA. Specifically, OIG's determination to demand payment of a Stipulated Penalty
or of a Material Breach Penalty shall be subject to review by an ALJ and, in the
event of an appeal, the Departmental Appeals Board ("DAB"), in a manner
consistent with the provisions in 42 C.F.R. ss.ss. 1005.2-1005.21.
Notwithstanding the language in 42 C.F.R. ss. 1005.2(c), the request for a
hearing involving a Stipulated Penalty or a Material Breach Penalty shall be
made within fifteen (15) days of the date of the Demand Letter or the Material
Breach Penalty Letter.

            2.    STIPULATED PENALTIES REVIEW. Notwithstanding any provision of
Title 42 of the United States Code or Chapter 42 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, the only issues in a proceeding for stipulated penalties under this
CCA shall be (a) whether CHS was in full and timely compliance with the
obligations of this CCA for which OIG demands payment; and (b) the period of
noncompliance, CHS shall have the burden of proving its full and timely
compliance and the steps taken to cure the noncompliance, if any. If the ALJ
finds for OIG with regard to a finding of a breach of this CCA and orders CHS to
pay Stipulated Penalties, such Stipulated Penalties shall become due and payable
20 days after the ALJ issues such a decision notwithstanding that CHS may
request review of the ALJ decision by the DAB,

            3.    MATERIAL BREACH REVIEW. Notwithstanding any provision of Title
42 of the United States Code or Chapter 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
the only issues in a proceeding regarding imposition of a Material Breach
Penalty shall be: (a) whether CHS was in material breach of this CCA; (b)
whether such breach was continuing on the date of the Material Breach Penalty
Letter, (c) the number of days that CHS was in material breach of this CCA; and
(d) whether the alleged material breach could not have been cured within the 35
day period, but that (i) CHS had begun to take action to cure the material
breach within that period, (ii) CHS has pursued and is pursuing such action with
due diligence, and (iii) CHS provided to OIG within that period a reasonable
timetable for curing the material breach.

      If the ALJ finds for OIG with regard to a finding of a material breach of
this CCA and orders CHS to pay a Material Breach Penalty, such Material Breach
Penalty shall become due and payable 20 days after the ALJ issues such a
decision notwithstanding that CHS may request review of the ALJ decision by the
DAB.

            4.    FINALITY OF DECISION. The review by an ALJ or DAB provided for
above shall not be considered to be an appeal right arising under any statutes
or regulations. Consequently, the parties to this CCA agree that the DAB's
decision (or the ALJ's decision if not appealed) shall be considered final for
all purposes under this CCA and CHS agrees to waive any right it may have to
appeal the decision administratively, judicially or otherwise seek review by any
court or other adjudicative forum.

                                       21
<PAGE>

XI.    EFFECTIVE AND BINDING AGREEMENT

      Consistent with the provisions in the Settlement Agreement pursuant to
which this CCA is entered, and into which this CCA is incorporated, CHS and OIG
agree as follows:

      A.    This CCA shall be binding on the successors, assigns, and
transferees of Community Health;

      B.    This CCA shall become final and binding on the date the final
signature is obtained on the CCA;

      C.    Any modifications to this CCA shall be made with the prior written
consent of the parties to this CCA; and

      D.    The undersigned Community Health signatories represent and warrant
that they are authorized to execute this CCA. The undersigned OIG signatory
represents that he is signing this CCA in his official capacity and that he is
authorized to execute this CCA.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                   ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

-----------------------------------             --------------------------------
WAYNE T. SMITH                                  DATE
Chief Executive Officer
Community Health Systems, Inc.

-----------------------------------             --------------------------------
RACHEL A. SEIFERT, ESQ.                         DATE
Vice President and General Counsel
Community Health Systems, Inc.

-----------------------------------             --------------------------------
RICHARD SAUBER, ESQ.                            DATE
Fried, Frank, Shriver & Jacobson
Counsel for Community Health Systems, Inc.

                                       23
<PAGE>

                  ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
                 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

-----------------------------------             --------------------------------
LEWIS MORRIS                                    DATE
Assistant Inspector General for Legal Affairs
Office of Inspector General
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services

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