Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into this 3rd day of November, 2003 among CenterPoint Energy Resources
Corp. (formerly named Reliant Energy Resources Corp.), a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), Barclays Capital Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, as
the initial purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers") listed on Schedule I to the
Purchase Agreement (defined below).

         This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated October
29, 2003, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase
Agreement"), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial
Purchasers of an aggregate of $160,000,000 principal amount of the Company's
5.95% Senior Notes due 2014 (the "Securities"). In order to induce the Initial
Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to
provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the
registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

         In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.       Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
from time to time.

                  "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.

                  "Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City
of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and
which shall be a "business day" as defined under Rule 14d-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                  "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and
shall also include the Company's successors.

                  "Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any
other depositary for the Securities appointed by the Company; provided, however,
that such depositary must have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in the
City of New York.

                  "Exchange Offer" shall mean the exchange offer by the Company
of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1
hereof.

                  "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange
offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another
appropriate form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and
all documents incorporated by reference therein.

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                  "Exchange Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.1 hereof.

                  "Exchange Securities" shall mean the notes issued by the
Company under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities in all
material respects (except for references to certain interest rate provisions,
restrictions on transfers and restrictive legends), to be offered to Holders of
Securities in exchange for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange
Offer.

                  "Expiration Date" shall mean the date on which all the
Participating Broker-Dealers have sold all Exchange Securities held by them.

                  "Holder" shall mean an Initial Purchaser, for so long as it
owns any Registrable Securities, and each of its successors, assigns and direct
and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the
Indenture and each Participating Broker-Dealer that holds Exchange Securities
for so long as such Participating Broker-Dealer is required to deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Securities.

                  "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of February 1,
1998 between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank (successor to Chase Bank of
Texas, National Association), as trustee, as supplemented by a Supplemental
Indenture No. 7, dated as of November 3, 2003, as the same may be amended,
supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
the terms thereof.

                  "Initial Purchaser" or "Initial Purchasers" shall have the
meaning set forth in the preamble.

                  "Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of Outstanding (as defined in the Indenture)
Registrable Securities or such smaller amount of Registrable Securities for
which action is to be taken; provided that whenever the consent or approval of
Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required
hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company and other obligors on the
Securities or any Affiliate (as defined in the Indenture) of the Company shall
be disregarded in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the
Holders of such required percentage amount.

                  "Participating Broker-Dealer" shall mean any Initial
Purchaser, and any other broker-dealer who acquired the Registrable Securities
for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities and
exchanges Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer for Exchange Securities.

                  "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

                  "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a
Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such
prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including
any such prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any
portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration

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Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to a prospectus,
including post-effective amendments, and in each case including all material
incorporated by reference therein.

                  "Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.

                  "Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided,
however, that Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) a
Registration Statement with respect to such Securities shall have been declared
effective under the 1933 Act and such Securities shall have been disposed of
pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such Securities have been sold to
the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act or may be sold pursuant to
Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under
the 1933 Act, (iii) such Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding or (iv)
the Exchange Offer is consummated (except in the case of Securities purchased
from the Company and continued to be held by the Initial Purchasers).

                  "Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses
incident to performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement,
including, without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") registration and filing fees,
including, if applicable, the reasonable fees and expenses of any "qualified
independent underwriter" (and its counsel) that is required to be retained by
any holder of Registrable Securities in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the NASD, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with
compliance with state securities or blue sky laws and compliance with the rules
of the NASD (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any
underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the
Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities and any filings with the NASD),
(iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word
processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any
Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements,
securities sales agreements and other documents relating to the performance of
and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing, if any, of any of the Registrable Securities on any
securities exchange or exchanges, (v) all rating agency fees, (vi) the fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company and of the independent public
accountants of the Company, including the expenses of any special audits or
"cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance and
compliance, (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, and any escrow agent or
custodian, (viii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm, at any one
time, of legal counsel selected by the Representatives or the Majority Holders
to represent the Holders of Registrable Securities and (ix) any reasonable fees
and disbursements of the underwriters customarily required to be paid by issuers
or sellers of securities and the fees and expenses of any special experts
retained by the Company in connection with any Registration Statement, but
excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any,
relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

                  "Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement
of the Company which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and
supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective
amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

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                  "SEC" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission or any successor agency or governmental body performing the functions
currently performed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

                  "Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected
pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof.

                  "Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf"
registration statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2
of this Agreement which covers all of the Registrable Securities on an
appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may
be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the
Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated
by reference therein.

                  "TIA" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

                  "Trustee" shall mean the trustee with respect to the
Securities under the Indenture.

         2.       Registration Under the 1933 Act.

                  2.1      Exchange Offer. The Company shall, for the benefit of
the Holders, at the Company's cost, use its reasonable commercial efforts (A) to
file with the SEC the Exchange Offer Registration Statement not later than 180
days following the date of original issuance of the Securities with respect to a
proposed Exchange Offer and the issuance and delivery to the Holders, in
exchange for the Registrable Securities, of a like principal amount of Exchange
Securities, (B) to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be
declared effective under the 1933 Act within 270 days following the date of
original issuance of the Securities, (C) to keep the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer and (D) unless the
Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, to cause
the Exchange Offer to be consummated within 315 days following the date of
original issuance of the Securities. The Exchange Securities will be issued
under the Indenture. Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company shall promptly commence the Exchange Offer, it being the
objective of such Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to
exchange Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such
Holder (A) is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the 1933 Act (an "Affiliate"), (B) is not a broker-dealer tendering
Registrable Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its
Affiliates for its own account, (C) acquired the Exchange Securities in the
ordinary course of such Holder's business and (D) at the time of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer has no arrangements or understandings with
any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing
the Exchange Securities) to transfer such Exchange Securities from and after
their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act and
without material restrictions under the securities laws of a substantial portion
of the several states of the United States.

         In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company will:

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                  (A)      as promptly as practicable after the Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, mail to
         each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
         transmittal and related documents;

                  (B)      keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a
         period of not less than 20 Business Days after the date notice thereof
         is mailed to the Holders (or longer if required by applicable law)
         (such period referred to herein as the "Exchange Period");

                  (C)      utilize the services of the Depositary for the
         Exchange Offer;

                  (D)      notify each Holder that any Holder electing to have a
         Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
         required to surrender such Registrable Security, together with the
         appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the
         address and in the manner specified in the notice prior to 5:00 p.m.
         (Eastern Time) on the last Business Day of the Exchange Period;

                  (E)      permit Holders to (i) withdraw tendered Registrable
         Securities at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the last
         Business Day of the Exchange Period, by sending to the institution
         specified in the notice a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
         letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of
         Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such
         Holder is withdrawing such Holder's election to have such Securities
         exchanged and (ii) tender Registrable Securities according to customary
         guaranteed delivery procedures if such Holder cannot deliver such
         Registrable Securities or complete the procedures relating thereto on a
         timely basis prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the last Business Day
         of the Exchange Period;

                  (F)      notify each Holder that any Registrable Security not
         tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but
         will not retain any rights under this Agreement (except in the case of
         the Initial Purchasers and Participating Broker Dealers as provided
         herein); and

                  (G)      otherwise comply in all material respects with all
         applicable laws relating to the Exchange Offer.

         As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer the
Company shall:

                  (A)      accept for exchange all Registrable Securities duly
         tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer in
         accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
         and the letter of transmittal which shall be an exhibit thereto;

                  (B)      deliver or cause to be delivered all Registrable
         Securities accepted for exchange to the Trustee for cancellation; and

                  (C)      cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and
         deliver Exchange Securities, to each Holder of Registrable Securities
         so accepted for exchange in a

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         principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registrable
         Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

         Interest on each Exchange Security will accrue from the last date on
which interest was paid on the Registrable Securities surrendered in exchange
therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Registrable Securities, from
the date of original issuance. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any
conditions, other than (A) that the Exchange Offer, or the making of any
exchange by a Holder, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (B) the valid tendering of Registrable
Securities in accordance with the Exchange Offer, (C) that each Holder of
Registrable Securities exchanged in the Exchange Offer shall have represented
that (i) it is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the 1933 Act, (ii) it is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable
Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its Affiliates for its
own account, (iii) all of the Exchange Securities to be received by it shall be
acquired in the ordinary course of its business and (iv) at the time of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer it shall have no arrangement or understanding
with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the
1933 Act) of the Exchange Securities, and shall have made such other
representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules,
regulations or interpretations to render the use of Form S-4 or other
appropriate form under the 1933 Act available and (D) that no action or
proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before
any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer which, in the
Company's judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the
Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer. The Company shall use its reasonable
commercial efforts to inform the Initial Purchasers of the names and addresses
of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchasers
shall have the right, subject to applicable securities laws, to contact such
Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the
Exchange Offer.

         The Company shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the
Prospectus contained therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully
delivered by all persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
1933 Act for such period of time as such persons must comply with such
requirements in order to resell the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that
(i) in the case where such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto
must be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, such period shall terminate
at the earlier to occur of (i) the expiration of 180 days following the Exchange
Offer and (ii) the Expiration Date.

         The Company shall not be obligated to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement effective or to permit the use of any Prospectus forming
a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement if (i) the Company
determines, in its reasonable judgment, upon advice of counsel that the
continued effectiveness and use of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
would (x) require the disclosure of material information which the Company has a
bona fide business reason for preserving as confidential or (y) interfere with
any financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization or other material
transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and provided,
further, that the failure to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
effective and usable for offers and sales of Registrable Securities for such
reasons shall last no longer than 45 consecutive calendar days or no more than
an aggregate of 90 calendar days during any consecutive twelve-month period
(whereafter a Registration Default, as

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hereinafter defined, shall occur) and (ii) the Company promptly thereafter
complies with the requirements of Section 3(L) hereof, if applicable; any such
period during which the Company is excused from keeping the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement effective and usable for offers and sales of Registrable
Securities is referred to herein as a "Exchange Offer Suspension Period"; an
Exchange Offer Suspension Period shall commence on and include the date that the
Company gives notice to the Holders that the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is no longer effective or the Prospectus included therein is no longer
usable for offers and sales of Registrable Securities as a result of the
application of the proviso of the foregoing sentence, stating the reason
therefor, and shall end on the earlier to occur of the date on which each seller
of Registrable Securities covered by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
either receives the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or is
advised in writing by the Company that use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

         The Company acknowledges that pursuant to current interpretations by
the SEC's staff of Section 5 of the 1933 Act, in the absence of applicable
exemption therefrom, (i) each Holder which is a broker-dealer electing to
exchange Securities for Exchange Securities (an "Exchanging Dealer"), is
required to deliver a prospectus containing information substantially in the
form set forth in (a) Annex A hereto, (b) Annex B hereto in the "Exchange Offer
Procedures" section and the "Purpose of the Exchange Offer" section, (c) Annex C
hereto in the "Plan of Distribution" section of such prospectus in connection
with a sale of any such Exchange Securities received by such Exchanging Dealer
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and to include in the Letter of Transmittal
delivered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the information set forth in Annex D
hereto and (ii) an Initial Purchaser that elects to sell Exchange Securities
acquired in an exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold
allotment, is required to deliver a prospectus containing the information
required by Item 507 or Item 508 of Regulation S-K under the 1933 Act, as
applicable, in connection with such sale.

                  2.2      Shelf Registration. In the event that (A) the Company
reasonably determines that changes in law, SEC rules or regulations or
applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC do not permit the
Company to effect the Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof, (B)
for any other reason, the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 315 days
following the date of original issuance of the Securities or (C) an Initial
Purchaser notifies the Company within 20 Business Days following the
consummation of the Exchange Offer that (i) it is not permitted by applicable
law, SEC rules or regulations or applicable interpretations thereof by the staff
of the SEC to participate in the Exchange Offer, (ii) it may not resell Exchange
Securities with the Prospectus included as part of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or (iii) it is a broker-dealer and owns Registrable
Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of the Company's
Affiliates, then in case of each of clauses (A) through (C) the Company shall,
at its cost, in lieu of effecting (or, in the case of clause (C), in addition to
effecting) the registration of the Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement:

                  (A)      as promptly as practicable, file with the SEC, and
         thereafter shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to cause to be
         declared effective no later than 345 days following the date of
         original issuance of the Securities, a Shelf Registration Statement
         relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by the
         Holders from time to

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         time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the
         Majority Holders participating in the Shelf Registration and set forth
         in such Shelf Registration Statement;

                  (B)      use its reasonable commercial efforts to keep the
         Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit
         the Prospectus forming a part thereof to be usable by Holders for a
         period of two years from the date of the original issuance of the
         Securities (plus the number of days in any Suspension Period), or until
         all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant thereto;
         provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to keep the
         Shelf Registration Statement effective or to permit the use of any
         Prospectus forming a part of the Shelf Registration Statement if (i)
         the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, upon advice of
         counsel that the continued effectiveness and use of the Shelf
         Registration Statement would (x) require the disclosure of material
         information which the Company has a bona fide business reason for
         preserving as confidential or (y) interfere with any financing,
         acquisition, corporate reorganization or other material transaction
         involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and provided,
         further, that the failure to keep the Shelf Registration Statement
         effective and usable for offers and sales of Registrable Securities for
         such reasons shall last no longer than 45 consecutive calendar days or
         no more than an aggregate of 90 calendar days during any consecutive
         twelve-month period (whereafter a Registration Default, as hereinafter
         defined, shall occur) and (ii) the Company promptly thereafter complies
         with the requirements of Section 3(L) hereof, if applicable; any such
         period during which the Company is excused from keeping the Shelf
         Registration Statement effective and usable for offers and sales of
         Registrable Securities is referred to herein as a "Suspension Period";
         a Suspension Period shall commence on and include the date that the
         Company gives notice to the Holders that the Shelf Registration
         Statement is no longer effective or the Prospectus included therein is
         no longer usable for offers and sales of Registrable Securities as a
         result of the application of the proviso of the foregoing sentence,
         stating the reason therefor, and shall end on the earlier to occur of
         the date on which each seller of Registrable Securities covered by the
         Shelf Registration Statement either receives the copies of the
         supplemented or amended Prospectus or is advised in writing by the
         Company that use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

         The Company shall not permit any securities other than Registrable
Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company
further agrees, if necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration
Statement, as required by Section 3(B) below, and to furnish to the Holders of
Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after
its being used or filed with the SEC.

                  2.3      Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration
Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2
hereof. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and
transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

                  2.4      Effectiveness.

                  (A)      The Company will be deemed not to have used its
         reasonable commercial efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration
         Statement or the Shelf Registration

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         Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective
         during the requisite period if the Company voluntarily takes any action
         that would, or omits to take any action (other than any action
         specifically permitted by the penultimate paragraph of Section 2.1 or
         by Section 2.2(B) hereof) which omission would, result in any such
         Registration Statement not being declared effective or in the Holders
         of Registrable Securities covered thereby not being able to exchange or
         offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that period as and to
         the extent contemplated hereby, unless such action is required by
         applicable law.

                  (B)      An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to
         Section 2.1 hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to
         Section 2.2 hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless
         it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if,
         after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable
         Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a
         Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order,
         injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other
         governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement will be
         deemed not to have become effective during the period of such
         interference, until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to
         such Registration Statement may legally resume.

                  2.5      Interest. In the event that (A) the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the 180th day
following the date of original issuance of the Securities, (B) the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 270th
calendar day following the date of original issuance of the Securities, (C) the
Exchange Offer is not consummated or a Shelf Registration Statement is not
declared effective, in either case, on or prior to the 315th calendar day
following the date of original issuance of the Securities or (D) the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement is filed and
declared effective but shall thereafter either be withdrawn by the Company or
becomes subject to an effective stop order suspending the effectiveness of such
registration statement, except as specifically permitted by the penultimate
paragraph of Section 2.1 or Section 2.2(B) hereof, in each case without being
succeeded within 30 days by an amendment thereto or an additional registration
statement filed and declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses
(A) through (D) above, a "Registration Default"), the interest rate borne by the
Registrable Securities shall be increased ("Additional Interest") by one-fourth
of one percent (0.25%) per annum upon the occurrence of each Registration
Default, which rate will increase by an additional one-fourth of one percent
(0.25%) per annum if such Registration Default has not been cured within 90 days
after occurrence thereof and continuing until all Registration Defaults have
been cured, provided that the aggregate amount of any such increase in the
interest rate on the Registrable Securities shall in no event exceed one-half of
one percent (0.50%) per annum; and provided, further, that if the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 270th
calendar day following the date of original issuance of the Securities and the
Company shall request Holders of Securities to provide information required by
the applicable rules of the SEC for inclusion in the Shelf Registration
Statement, then Registrable Securities owned by Holders who do not deliver such
information to the Company or who do not provide comments on the Shelf
Registration Statement when reasonably requested by the Company will not be
entitled to any such increase in the interest rate for any day after the 315th
day following the date of original issuance of the Securities. All accrued
Additional Interest shall be paid to Holders of Registrable Securities in the
same manner and at the same time as

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regular payments of interest on the Registrable Securities. Following the cure
of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Additional Interest will cease and
the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will revert to the original
rate.

         3.       Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of
the Company with respect to Registration Statements pursuant to Sections 2.1 and
2.2 hereof, the Company shall:

                  (A)      prepare and file with the SEC a Registration
         Statement, within the relevant time period specified in Section 2, on
         the appropriate form under the 1933 Act, which form shall (i) be
         selected by the Company, (ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, be
         available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling
         Holders thereof and (iii) comply as to form in all material respects
         with the requirements of the applicable form and include or incorporate
         by reference all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed
         therewith or incorporated by reference therein, and use its reasonable
         commercial efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become
         effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

                  (B)      use reasonable commercial efforts to cause (i) any
         Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, when it becomes
         effective, not to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
         omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (ii)
         subject to the penultimate paragraph of Section 2.1 and Section 2.2(B),
         any Prospectus forming part of any Registration Statement, and any
         supplement to such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to
         time), not to include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
         state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading;

                  (C)      prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
         post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be
         necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement
         effective for the applicable period; and cause each Prospectus to be
         supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so
         supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provision
         then in force) under the 1933 Act and comply with the provisions of the
         1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
         applicable to them with respect to the disposition of all securities
         covered by each Registration Statement during the applicable period in
         accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution
         reasonably requested by the selling Holders thereof (including sales by
         any Participating Broker-Dealer);

                  (D)      in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each
         Holder of Registrable Securities, at least fifteen (15) calendar days
         prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to
         the Registrable Securities is being filed and advising such Holders
         that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in
         accordance with the methods reasonably requested by the Majority
         Holders participating in the Shelf Registration, (ii) furnish to each
         Holder of Registrable Securities and to each underwriter of an
         underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without
         charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary
         Prospectus, and any amendment or

                                       10
<PAGE>

         supplement thereto, and such other documents as such Holder or
         underwriter may reasonably request, including financial statements and
         schedules and, if the Holder so requests, all exhibits in order to
         facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable
         Securities and (iii) hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus or any
         amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of
         Registrable Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the
         Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or
         supplement thereto, save and except during any Suspension Period;

                  (E)      use its reasonable commercial efforts to register or
         qualify the Registrable Securities under such state securities or blue
         sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities
         covered by a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an
         underwritten offering of Registrable Securities shall reasonably
         request by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared
         effective by the SEC, and do any and all other acts and things which
         may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Holder and
         underwriter to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of
         such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however,
         that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign
         corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it
         would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(E) or
         (ii) take any action which would subject it to general service of
         process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so
         subject;

                  (F)      notify promptly each Holder of Registrable Securities
         under a Shelf Registration or any Participating Broker-Dealer who has
         notified the Company that it is utilizing the Prospectus contained in
         the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and, if requested by such
         Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, confirm such advice in writing
         promptly (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and
         when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become
         effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities
         authority for post-effective amendments and supplements to a
         Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information
         after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the
         issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
         suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the
         initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) in the case of a
         Shelf Registration, if, between the effective date of the Shelf
         Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable
         Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the
         Company contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales
         agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to the offering
         cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (v) of the
         happening of any event or the discovery of any facts during the period
         the Shelf Registration Statement is effective which makes any statement
         made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in
         any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in
         such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the
         statements therein not misleading, (vi) of the receipt by the Company
         of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
         of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case
         may be, for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening
         of any proceeding for such purpose and (vii) of any determination by
         the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement
         would be appropriate;

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  (G)      (1) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration
         Statement (a) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a
         section entitled "Plan of Distribution," which section shall be
         reasonably acceptable to the Representatives on behalf of the
         Participating Broker-Dealers, and which shall contain a summary
         statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the
         SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any
         broker-dealer that holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own
         account as a result of market-making activities or other trading
         activities and that will be the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
         13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of Exchange Securities to be received by such
         broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer, including a statement that any
         such broker-dealer who receives Exchange Securities for Registrable
         Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be deemed a statutory
         underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of
         the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities,
         (b) furnish to each Participating Broker-Dealer who has delivered to
         the Company the notice referred to in Section 3(F), without charge, as
         many copies of each Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any
         amendment or supplement thereto, as such Participating Broker-Dealer
         may reasonably request, (c) hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus
         forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any
         amendment or supplement thereto, by any Person subject to the
         prospectus delivery requirements of the SEC, including all
         Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or transfer
         of the Exchange Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment
         or supplement thereto for up to 180 days following the Exchange Offer
         except during any Exchange Offer Suspension Period, and (d) include in
         the transmittal letter or similar documentation to be executed by an
         exchange offeree in order to participate in the Exchange Offer (i) the
         following provision:

                  "If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding
                  Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a
                  result of market-making activities or other trading
                  activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
                  requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of
                  Exchange Securities received in respect of such Registrable
                  Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer,"

         and (ii) a statement to the effect that a broker-dealer by making the
         acknowledgment described in clause (i) and by delivering a Prospectus
         in connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the
         broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter
         within the meaning of the 1933 Act; and (2) in the case of any Exchange
         Offer Registration Statement, the Company agrees to deliver to any
         Participating Broker-Dealers upon the effectiveness of the Exchange
         Offer Registration Statement (a) an opinion of counsel or opinions of
         counsel substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex E, (b)
         officers' certificates substantially in the form customarily delivered
         by the Company in its public offerings of debt securities and (c) a
         comfort letter or comfort letters in customary form to the extent
         permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72 of the American
         Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or if such a comfort letter
         is not permitted, an agreed upon procedures letter in customary form)
         from the Company's independent certified public accountants (and, if
         necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any
         subsidiary of the Company or of any business

                                       12
<PAGE>

         acquired by the Company for which financial statements are, or are
         required to be, included in the Registration Statement) at least as
         broad in scope and coverage as the comfort letter or comfort letters
         delivered to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the initial sale
         of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers;

                  (H)      (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer, furnish counsel
         for the Initial Purchasers and (ii) in the case of a Shelf
         Registration, furnish counsel for the Holders of Registrable
         Securities, copies of any comment letters received from the SEC or any
         other request by the SEC or any state securities authority for
         amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or
         for additional information;

                  (I)      make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal
         of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement
         as soon as practicable and provide prompt notice to legal counsel for
         the Holders of the withdrawal of any such order;

                  (J)      in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each
         Holder of Registrable Securities, and each underwriter, if any, without
         charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and
         any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements
         and schedules (without documents incorporated therein by reference and
         all exhibits thereto, unless requested);

                  (K)      in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with
         the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely
         preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable
         Securities to be sold to the extent not held with the Depositary
         through Cede & Co., to remove any restrictive legends, and enable such
         Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (consistent with the
         provisions of the Indenture) and registered in such names as the
         selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, may reasonably request at
         least three Business Days prior to the closing of any sale of
         Registrable Securities;

                  (L)      upon the occurrence of any event or the discovery of
         any facts, each as contemplated by Sections 3(F)(ii), (iii), (v), (vi)
         and (vii) hereof and subject to the provisions of the second paragraph
         immediately following Section 3(U) hereof, as promptly as practicable
         after the occurrence of such an event, use its reasonable commercial
         efforts to prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
         Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document
         incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document
         so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
         Securities or Participating Broker-Dealers, such Prospectus will not
         contain at the time of such delivery any untrue statement of a material
         fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
         therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
         misleading or will remain so qualified. At such time as such public
         disclosure is otherwise made or the Company determines that such
         disclosure is not necessary, in each case to correct any misstatement
         of a material fact or to include any omitted material fact, the Company
         agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such determination and to
         furnish each Holder such number of copies of the Prospectus as amended
         or supplemented, as such Holder may reasonably request;

                                       13
<PAGE>

                  (M)      obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or
         Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the
         effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee
         with certificates for the Exchange Securities or the Registrable
         Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with the
         Depositary;

                  (N)      unless the Indenture, as its relates to the Exchange
         Securities or the Registrable Securities, as the case may be, has
         already been so qualified, use its reasonable commercial efforts to (i)
         cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA in connection with
         the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities,
         as the case may be, (ii) cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to
         effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the
         Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA
         and (iii) execute, and use its reasonable commercial efforts to cause
         the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such
         changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with
         the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

                  (O)      in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into
         agreements (including underwriting agreements) and take all other
         customary and appropriate actions in order to expedite or facilitate
         the disposition of such Registrable Securities and in such connection
         whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or
         not the registration is an underwritten registration:

                           (i)      make such representations and warranties to
                  the Holders of such Registrable Securities and the
                  underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as has been
                  customarily made by the Company to underwriters in similar
                  offerings of debt securities of the Company;

                           (ii)     obtain opinions of counsel of the Company
                  and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form,
                  scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
                  managing underwriters, if any, and the Holders of a majority
                  in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold)
                  addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any,
                  covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested
                  in sales of securities or underwritten offerings of the
                  Company;

                           (iii)    obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
                  thereof from the Company's independent certified public
                  accountants (and, if necessary, any other independent
                  certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company
                  or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial
                  statements are, or are required to be, included in the
                  Registration Statement) addressed to the underwriters, if any,
                  and use reasonable efforts to have such letter addressed to
                  the selling Holders of Registrable Securities (to the extent
                  consistent with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72 of the
                  American Institute of Certified Public Accounts), such letters
                  to be in customary form and covering matters of the type
                  customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters to underwriters
                  in connection with similar underwritten offerings of the
                  Company;

                                       14
<PAGE>

                           (iv)     if an underwriting agreement is entered
                  into, cause the same to set forth indemnification provisions
                  and procedures substantially equivalent to the indemnification
                  provisions and procedures set forth in Section 4 hereof with
                  respect to the underwriters and all other parties to be
                  indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

                           (v)      deliver such documents and certificates as
                  may be reasonably requested and as are customarily delivered
                  in similar offerings to the Holders of a majority in principal
                  amount of the Registrable Securities being sold and the
                  managing underwriters, if any;

         the above shall be done at (i) the effectiveness of such Registration
         Statement (and each post-effective amendment thereto) and (ii) each
         closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the
         extent required thereunder;

                  (P)      in the case of a Shelf Registration or if a
         Prospectus is required to be delivered by any Participating
         Broker-Dealer in the case of an Exchange Offer, make available for
         inspection by representatives of the Holders of the Registrable
         Securities, any underwriters participating in any disposition pursuant
         to a Shelf Registration Statement, any Participating Broker-Dealer and
         any counsel or accountant retained by any of the foregoing, all
         financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
         properties of the Company reasonably requested by any such persons, and
         cause the respective officers, directors, employees and any other
         agents of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by
         any such representative, underwriter, special counsel or accountant in
         connection with a Registration Statement, and make such representatives
         of the Company available for discussion of such documents as shall be
         reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers in order to enable such
         persons to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of
         Section 11 of the 1933 Act; provided, however, that such persons shall
         first agree in writing with the Company that any information that is
         reasonably and in good faith designated by the Company in writing as
         confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept
         confidential by such persons, unless (i) disclosure of such information
         is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to respond
         to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such
         information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements
         pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of
         the Shelf Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus), (iii)
         such information becomes generally available to the public other than
         as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard such information by
         such persons or (iv) such information becomes available to such persons
         from a source other than the Company and its subsidiaries and such
         source is not known by such persons to be bound by a confidentiality
         agreement; and provided, further, that the foregoing inspection and
         information gathering shall be coordinated by (x) the managing
         underwriter in connection with any underwritten offering pursuant to a
         Shelf Registration, (y) the Holder or Holders designated by the
         participating Majority Holders in connection with any nonunderwritten
         offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration or (z) the Participating
         Broker-Dealer holding the largest amount of Registrable Securities in
         the case of use of a Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement, together with one counsel designated by and on
         behalf of such persons;

                                       15
<PAGE>

                  (Q)      (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration
         Statement, within a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Exchange
         Offer Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof,
         any amendment to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or amendment
         or supplement to such Prospectus, provide copies of such document to
         the Initial Purchasers and to counsel to the Holders of Registrable
         Securities and make such changes in any such document prior to the
         filing thereof as the Initial Purchasers or counsel to the Holders of
         Registrable Securities may reasonably request and, except as otherwise
         required by applicable law, not file any such document in a form to
         which the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable
         Securities and counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities shall
         not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to which
         the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable
         Securities or counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities shall
         reasonably object (which objection shall be made within a reasonable
         period of time), and make the representatives of the Company available
         for discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by
         the Initial Purchasers; and (ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a
         reasonable time prior to filing any Shelf Registration Statement, any
         Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to such Shelf
         Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus,
         provide copies of such document to the Holders of Registrable
         Securities, to the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for the Holders and
         to the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of
         Registrable Securities, if any, make such changes in any such document
         prior to the filing thereof as the Initial Purchasers, the counsel to
         the Holders or the underwriter or underwriters reasonably request and
         not file any such document in a form to which the Majority Holders, the
         Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities,
         counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter
         shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to
         which the Majority Holders, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the
         Holders of Registrable Securities, counsel to the Holders of
         Registrable Securities or any underwriter shall reasonably object
         (which objection shall be made within a reasonable period of time), and
         make the representatives of the Company available for discussion of
         such document as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of
         Registrable Securities, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such
         Holders, counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any
         underwriter;

                  (R)      use its reasonable commercial efforts to (a) if the
         Securities have been rated prior to the initial sale of such
         Securities, confirm such ratings will apply to the Securities covered
         by a Registration Statement, or (b) if the Securities were not
         previously rated, cause the Securities covered by a Registration
         Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so
         requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
         Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or by the managing
         underwriters, if any.

                  (S)      otherwise comply with all applicable rules and
         regulations of the SEC and make available to its security holders, as
         soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering at least
         12 months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
         1933 Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  (T)      cooperate and assist in any filings required to be
         made with the NASD and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, in the
         performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter and
         its counsel (including any "qualified independent underwriter" that is
         required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of
         the NASD); and

                  (U)      upon consummation of an Exchange Offer, obtain a
         customary opinion of counsel to the Company addressed to the Trustee
         for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Securities participating
         in the Exchange Offer, and which includes an opinion substantially to
         the effect that (i) the Company has duly authorized, executed and
         delivered the Exchange Securities and the related supplemental
         indenture and (ii) each of the Exchange Securities and related
         indenture constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
         Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
         respective terms (with customary exceptions).

         In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may (as a
condition to such Holder's participation in the Shelf Registration) require each
Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information
regarding the Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such
Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably require
for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement and request in writing.

         In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees, and
in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, each Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees, that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of (a)
the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts, each of the kind
described in Sections 3(F)(ii), (iii) or (v) hereof or (b) the Company's
determination, in its reasonable judgment, upon advice of counsel, that the
continued effectiveness and use of the Shelf Registration Statement or the
Prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement would (x) require the disclosure of material information,
which the Company has a bona fide business reason for preserving as
confidential, or (y) interfere with any financing, acquisition, corporate
reorganization or other material transaction involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be,
will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to
such Registration Statement or Prospectus until the receipt by such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, of either copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(L) hereof, and, if
so directed by the Company, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealers will
deliver to the Company (at its expense) all copies in its possession of the
Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt
of such notice, or notice in writing from the Company that such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealers may resume disposition of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Registration Statement or Prospectus. If the Company shall give
any such notice described in clause (a) above to suspend the disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement as a result of the
happening of any event or the discovery of any facts, each of the kind described
in Section 3(F)(ii), (iii) and (v) hereof, the Company shall be deemed to have
used its reasonable commercial efforts to keep such Registration Statement
effective during such Suspension Period provided that the Company shall use its
reasonable commercial efforts to file and have declared effective (if an
amendment) as soon as practicable an amendment or supplement to such
Registration Statement. The Company shall extend the

                                       17
<PAGE>

period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective or
the Prospectus used pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the
period from and including the date of the giving of the notice described in
clauses (a) and (b) above to and including the date when the Holders or
Participating Broker-Dealers shall have received copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions or notification that
they may resume such disposition under an existing Prospectus.

         If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration
Statement are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the underwriter or
underwriters and manager or managers that will manage such offering will be
selected by the Majority Holders of such Registrable Securities included in such
offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. No Holder of
Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten registration
hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Registrable
Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by
the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes
and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.

         4.       Indemnification; Contribution.

         (A)      In the event of a Shelf Registration Statement or in
connection with any prospectus delivery pursuant to an Exchange Offer
Registration Statement by an Initial Purchaser or Participating Broker-Dealer,
the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers, each
Holder, each Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person who participates as an
underwriter (any such Person being an "Underwriter") and each Person, if any,
who controls any Initial Purchaser, Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer or
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act (collectively, the "Section 4 Persons"), against any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including the reasonable cost of
investigating and defending against any claims therefore and counsel fees
incurred in connection therewith as such expenses are incurred), joint or
several, which may be based upon either the 1933 Act, or the 1934 Act, or any
other statute or at common law, on the ground or alleged ground that any
Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) pursuant to
which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered under the
1933 Act or any Prospectus included therein (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) included or allegedly included an untrue statement of material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information
furnished to the Company by any such Section 4 Person specifically for use in
the preparation thereof; provided that in no case is the Company to be liable
with respect to any claims made against any Section 4 Person unless such Section
4 Person shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature
of the claim shall have been served upon such Section 4 Person, but failure to
notify the Company of any such claim shall not relieve it from any liability
which it may have to such Section 4 Person otherwise than on account of the
indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph; and provided, further, that the
foregoing indemnity with respect to any Prospectus, including any preliminary
prospectus or preliminary prospectus supplement, shall not inure to the benefit
of any Section 4 Person if a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or

                                       18
<PAGE>

supplemented, exclusive of the material incorporated by reference) had not been
sent or given by or on behalf of such Section 4 Person to the Person asserting
any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities concurrently with or prior to
delivery of the written confirmation of the sale of Exchange Securities or
Registrable Securities, as the case may be, to such Person and the untrue
statement or omission of a material fact contained in any such Prospectus was
corrected in the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) if the Company had
previously furnished copies thereof to such Section 4 Persons.

         The Company will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the
defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any such liability, but, if the Company elects to assume the defense,
such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it. In the event that the
Company elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retains such counsel,
each Section 4 Person may retain additional counsel but shall bear the fees and
expenses of such counsel unless (i) the Company shall have specifically
authorized the retaining of such counsel or (ii) the parties to such suit
include the Section 4 Person or Section 4 Persons and such persons have been
advised by such counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to it
or them which may not be available to the Company, in which case the Company
shall not be entitled to assume the defense of such suit on behalf of such
Section 4 Person, notwithstanding its obligation to bear the reasonable fees and
expenses of such counsel, it being understood, however, that the Company shall
not, in connection with any one such suit or proceeding or separate but
substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction
arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the
reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any
time for all such Section 4 Persons, which firm shall be designated in writing
by the Initial Purchasers. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify any
Person for any settlement of any such claim effected without the Company's prior
written consent. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability,
which the Company might otherwise have.

         (B)      Each Section 4 Person agrees severally and not jointly to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of the Company's directors, each
of the Company's officers who have signed the Registration Statement and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or
the 1934 Act, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
(including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending against any claims
therefor and counsel fees incurred in connection therewith as such expenses are
incurred), joint or several, which may be based upon the 1933 Act, or any other
statute or at common law, on the ground or alleged ground that any Registration
Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) pursuant to which Exchange
Securities or Registrable Securities were registered under the 1933 Act or any
Prospectus included therein (or any amendment or supplement thereto) included or
allegedly included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading, but only insofar as any such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information
furnished to the Company by such Section 4 Person specifically for use in the
preparation thereof; provided that in no case is such Section 4 Person to be
liable with respect to any claims made against the Company or any such director,
officer or controlling person unless the Company or any such director, officer
or controlling person shall have notified such Section 4 Person in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall

                                       19
<PAGE>

have been served upon the Company or any such director, officer or controlling
person, but failure to notify such Section 4 Person of any such claim shall not
relieve it from any liability which it may have to the Company or any such
director, officer or controlling person otherwise than on account of the
indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this subsection (B), with respect to any amount due to an
indemnified person under this subsection (B), such Section 4 Person shall not be
liable for any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received
by such Section 4 Person from the sale of Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds the amount of damages
which such Section 4 Person has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

         Such Section 4 Person will be entitled to participate at its own
expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such liability, but, if such Section 4 Person elects to
assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it. In
the event that such Section 4 Person elects to assume the defense of any such
suit and retain such counsel, the Company or such director, officer or
controlling person, defendant or defendants in the suit, may retain additional
counsel but shall bear the fees and expenses of such counsel unless (i) such
Section 4 Person shall have specifically authorized the retaining of such
counsel or (ii) the parties to such suit include the Company or any such
director, officer, trustee or controlling person and such Section 4 Person and
the Company or such director, officer, trustee or controlling person have been
advised by such counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to it
or them which may not be available to such Section 4 Person, in which case such
Section 4 Person shall not be entitled to assume the defense of such suit on
behalf of the Company or such director, officer, trustee or controlling person,
notwithstanding its obligation to bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such
counsel, it being understood, however, that such Section 4 Person shall not, in
connection with any one such suit or proceeding or separate but substantially
similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out
of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable
fees and expenses of more than one a separate firm of attorneys at any time for
all of the Company and any such director, officer or controlling person, which
firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. Such Section 4 Person shall
not be liable to indemnify any person for any settlement of any such claim
effected without such Section 4 Person's prior written consent. This indemnity
agreement will be in addition to any liability which such Section 4 Person might
otherwise have.

         (C)      If the indemnification provided for in this Section 4 is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsections (A) or (B) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to in
subsection (A) or (B) above in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the
indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions
that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company on the one hand or such Holder or such other indemnified
party, as the case may be, on the other, and the parties' relative

                                       20
<PAGE>

intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result
of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence
of this subsection (C) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (C).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection (C), the Holders of the
Securities and the Exchange Securities shall not be required to contribute any
amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such
Holders from the sale of such securities pursuant to a Registration Statement
exceeds the amount of damages which such Holders have otherwise been required to
pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. The obligations of the Holders of the Securities and Exchange
Securities in this subsection (C) to contribute are several in proportion to the
net proceeds received from the sale of such securities by such Holder and not
joint. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this
subsection (C), each person, if any, who controls such indemnified party within
the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such indemnified party and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Company.

         5.       Miscellaneous.

                  5.1      Rule 144 and Rule 144A. For so long as the Company is
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the 1934 Act, the
Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be filed by it under
the 1933 Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder. If the Company ceases to be so
required to file such reports, the Company covenants that it will upon the
request of any Holder of Registrable Securities (A) make publicly available such
information as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933
Act, (B) deliver such information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to
permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and (C) take such further
action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the extent
required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable
Securities without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time or (iii) any similar rules or regulations hereafter
adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities,
the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has
complied with such requirements.

                  5.2      No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not
entered into and the Company will not after the date of this Agreement enter
into any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders
of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not and will
not for the term of this Agreement in any way conflict with the rights granted
to the holders of the Company's other issued and outstanding securities under
any such agreements.

                                       21
<PAGE>

                  5.3      Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this
Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended,
modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the
provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or departure; provided that in the event the Company
increases the aggregate principal amount of, and issues additional Securities
pursuant to Section 202 of the Supplemental Indenture No. 7 dated November 3,
2003, such additional Securities issued shall be deemed to be included in the
definition of Securities hereunder, and any initial purchasers named in any
purchase agreement executed in connection with such additional Securities issued
shall be deemed to be included in the definition of Initial Purchasers
hereunder, and provided further that the Company may amend, modify or supplement
the provisions hereof to reflect the increase in the aggregate principal amount
of the Securities, including any modification of the Initial Purchasers and any
other changes deemed by the Company to be necessary, advisable or appropriate to
reflect such increase, without the written consent of the Holders to the extent
such amendment, modification or supplement does not have a material adverse
effect on the Holders. Without the consent of the Holder of each Security
however, no modification may change the provisions relating to the payment of
Additional Interest.

                  5.4      Notices. All notices and other communications
provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery,
registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery (a) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such
Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 5.4, which address initially is the address set forth
in the Purchase Agreement with respect to the Initial Purchasers; and (b) if to
the Company, initially at the Company's address set forth in the Purchase
Agreement, and thereafter at such other address of which notice is given in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.4.

         All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; two Business Days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered
back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next
Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.

         Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the person giving the same to the Trustee under the
Indenture, at the address specified in such Indenture.

                  5.5      Successor and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of
each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an
express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be
deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable
Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture.
If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any
manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities
shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and
holding such Registrable Securities such person shall be conclusively deemed to
have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and

                                       22
<PAGE>

provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in
this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such person shall
be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.

                  5.6      Third Party Beneficiaries. The Initial Purchasers
(even if the Initial Purchasers are not Holders of Registrable Securities) shall
be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the
Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, and shall have the
right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they deem such
enforcement necessary or advisable to protect their rights or the rights of
Holders hereunder. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall be a third party
beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights hereunder.

                  5.7      Specific Performance. Without limiting the remedies
available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company acknowledges
that any failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Sections
2.1 through 2.4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial
Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it
would not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that,
in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may
obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's
obligations under Sections 2.1 through 2.4 hereof.

                  5.8      Restriction on Resales. Until the expiration of two
years after the original issuance of the Securities, the Company will not, and
will cause its "affiliates" (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(1) under the
1933 Act) not to, resell any Securities which are "restricted securities" (as
such term is defined under Rule 144(a)(3) under the 1933 Act) that have been
reacquired by any of them and shall immediately upon any purchase of any such
Securities submit such Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.

                  5.9      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an
executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or any other rapid
transmission device designed to produce a written record of the communication
transmitted shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart
thereof.

                  5.10     Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for the
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.

                  5.11     GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT
REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF.

                  5.12     Severability. In the event that any one or more of
the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance,
is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable,

                                       23
<PAGE>

the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other
respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected
or impaired thereby.

                  5.13     Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Purchase
Agreement represent the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof and supercedes and replaces any and all prior
agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, with respect thereto.

                                       24
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                                CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.

                                By: /s/ Gary L. Whitlock
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name: Gary L. Whitlock
                                    Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
                                           Financial Officer

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED
AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN:

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC., for itself and
as representative of the Initial Purchasers

By: /s/ Pamela Kendall
    ---------------------------------------
    Name:
    Title:

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC, for itself and
as representative of the Initial Purchasers

By: /s/ Bruce MacLennan
    ---------------------------------------
    Name: Bruce MacLennan
    Title: Director

                                       25
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX A

         Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. The Letter
of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the 1933 Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of
Exchange Securities received in exchange for Securities where such Securities
were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days
after the expiration of the Exchange Offer (as defined herein), it will make
this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any
such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."

<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX B

         Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own
account in exchange for Securities, where such Securities were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Securities. See "Plan of Distribution."

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX C

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in
exchange for Securities where such Securities were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed
that, for a period of 180 days after the expiration of the Exchange Offer, it
will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition,
until         ,200 , all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange
Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.(1)

         The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange
Securities by broker-dealers. Exchange Securities received by broker-dealers for
their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time
in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated
transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Securities or a
combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time
of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through
brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or
concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange
Securities. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Securities that were
received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker
or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Securities may be
deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the 1933 Act and any profit
on any such resale of Exchange Securities and any commission or concessions
received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under
the 1933 Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it
will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the 1933 Act.

         For a period of 180 days after the expiration of the Exchange Offer the
Company will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests
such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all
expenses incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel
for the Holders of the Securities) other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers and will indemnify the Holders of the Securities (including
any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
1933 Act.

------------------

(1) This sentence is to be included to the extent required by the General Rules
and Regulations of the SEC. In addition, the legend required by Item 502(b) of
Regulation S-K will appear on the inside front cover page of the Exchange Offer
prospectus below the Table of Contents.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX D

[ ]CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

         Name: ____________________________________
         Address: _________________________________

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange
Securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange
Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities that were acquired as
a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the 1933 Act.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX E

                           FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL

         The Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended.

         The Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act,
and, to the best of our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or any part thereof has been issued and no
proceedings for that purpose have been instituted and are pending or are
threatened by the SEC under the 1933 Act.

         The Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except
for (A) the financial statements, including the notes and schedules, if any
thereto or the auditor's reports on the audited portions thereof, (B) the other
accounting, financial and statistical data , and (C) the exhibits thereto, as to
which we have not been asked to comment) comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the applicable
rules and regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act.

         We have participated in conferences with certain officers and other
representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public
accountants of the Company, representatives of the [Initial Purchasers]
[Holders] and counsel for the [Initial Purchasers] [Holders], at which the
contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and related matters
were discussed. Although we have not undertaken to determine independently, and
do not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of
the statements contained in or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, we advise you that, on the basis of the foregoing
(relying as to materiality to a large extent upon statements and other
representations of officers and other representatives of the Company), no facts
have come to our attention that lead us to believe that the Registration
Statement and any amendment made thereto prior to the date hereof (except for
(A) the financial statements, including the notes and schedules, if any thereto
or the auditor's reports on the audited portions thereof, (B) the other
accounting, financial and statistical data , and (C) the exhibits thereto, as to
which we have not been asked to comment), as of the time the Registration
Statement became effective or such amendment was filed, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or
that the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto made prior to the
date hereof (except for (A) the financial statements, including the notes and
schedules, if any thereto or the auditor's reports on the audited portions
thereof, (B) the other accounting, financial and statistical data , and (C) the
exhibits thereto, as to which we have not been asked to comment), as of the date
of the Prospectus or such amendment or supplement contained any untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.17.3

================================================================================

                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          dated as of October 22, 2003

                                      among

                             AMERIGROUP CORPORATION,
                                  as Borrower,

              CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES OF THE BORROWER,
                                 as Guarantors,

                            THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

                             BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                            as Administrative Agent,

                       WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                       and
                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,
                              as Syndication Agents

                                       and

                            CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.,
                             as Documentation Agent

                         BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
                                       and
                      WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                             as Joint Lead Arrangers

                                       and

                         BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
                                       as
                                Sole Book Manager

================================================================================

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Article and Section                                                                               Page
-------------------                                                                               ----
<S>                                                                                               <C>
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS....................................................      1
         1.01     Defined Terms...............................................................      1
         1.02     Interpretive Provisions.....................................................     23
         1.03     Accounting Terms............................................................     23
         1.04     Rounding....................................................................     24
         1.05     References to Agreements and Laws...........................................     24
         1.06     Times of Day................................................................     24
         1.07     Letter of Credit Amounts....................................................     24

ARTICLE II COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS..................................................     24
         2.01     Commitments.................................................................     24
         2.02     Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations...................................     26
         2.03     Additional Provisions with respect to Letters of Credit.....................     27
         2.04     Additional Provisions with respect to Swing Line Loans......................     32
         2.05     Repayment of Loans..........................................................     34
         2.06     Prepayments.................................................................     35
         2.07     Termination or Reduction of Commitments.....................................     36
         2.08     Interest....................................................................     36
         2.09     Fees........................................................................     37
         2.10     Computation of Interest and Fees............................................     38
         2.11     Payments Generally..........................................................     38
         2.12     Sharing of Payments.........................................................     39
         2.13     Evidence of Debt............................................................     40

ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY............................................     40
         3.01     Taxes.......................................................................     40
         3.02     Illegality..................................................................     41
         3.03     Inability to Determine Rates................................................     42
         3.04     Increased Cost; Capital Adequacy............................................     42
         3.05     Funding Losses..............................................................     42
         3.06     Matters Applicable to All Requests for Compensation.........................     43
         3.07     Survival Losses.............................................................     43

ARTICLE IV GUARANTY...........................................................................     43
         4.01     The Guaranty................................................................     43
         4.02     Obligations Unconditional...................................................     44
         4.03     Reinstatement...............................................................     44
         4.04     Certain Waivers.............................................................     45
         4.05     Remedies....................................................................     45
         4.06     Rights of Contribution......................................................     45
         4.07     Guaranty of Payment; Continuing Guaranty....................................     45

ARTICLE V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS...........................................     45
         5.01     Conditions of Initial Credit Extensions.....................................     45
         5.02     Conditions to all Credit Extensions.........................................     48

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.....................................................     49
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                               <C>
         6.01     Financial Statements........................................................     49
         6.02     No Material Adverse Effect..................................................     49
         6.03     Existence, Qualification and Power..........................................     49
         6.04     Compliance with Laws........................................................     49
         6.05     Authorization; No Contravention.............................................     50
         6.06     Governmental Authorization; Other Consents..................................     50
         6.07     Binding Effect..............................................................     50
         6.08     Litigation..................................................................     50
         6.09     No Default..................................................................     51
         6.10     Ownership of Property; Liens................................................     51
         6.11     Intellectual Property.......................................................     51
         6.12     No Burdensome Restrictions..................................................     51
         6.13     Taxes.......................................................................     51
         6.14     ERISA Compliance............................................................     51
         6.15     Margin Regulations; PUHCA; Investment Company Act; Reportable Transactions..     52
         6.16     Subsidiaries................................................................     52
         6.17     Purpose of Credit Extensions................................................     53
         6.18     Environmental Compliance....................................................     53
         6.19     Disclosure; No Material Mistatements........................................     53
         6.20     Labor Matters...............................................................     53
         6.21     Insurance...................................................................     54
         6.22     Collateral Documents........................................................     54
         6.23     Location of Property........................................................     54
         6.24     Fraud and Abuse.............................................................     54
         6.25     Licensing and Accreditation.................................................     55

ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.............................................................     55
         7.01     Financial Statements........................................................     55
         7.02     Certificates; Other Information.............................................     56
         7.03     Notification................................................................     58
         7.04     Preservation of Existence; Licensing........................................     59
         7.05     Books and Records...........................................................     59
         7.06     Compliance with Laws........................................................     59
         7.07     Payment of Obligations......................................................     59
         7.08     Maintenance of Insurance....................................................     60
         7.09     Maintenance of Properties...................................................     60
         7.10     Performance of Obligations..................................................     60
         7.11     Inspection Rights...........................................................     60
         7.12     Use of Proceeds.............................................................     60
         7.13     Joinder of Additional Guarantors............................................     60
         7.14     Pledged Assets..............................................................     61

ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................     61
         8.01     Liens.......................................................................     61
         8.02     Investments.................................................................     63
         8.03     Indebtedness................................................................     65
         8.04     Mergers and Dissolutions....................................................     66
         8.05     Asset Dispositions..........................................................     66
         8.06     Restricted Payments.........................................................     67
         8.07     Modifications in respect of Funded Debt.....................................     67
         8.08     Transactions with Affiliates................................................     67
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                               <C>
         8.09     Change in Nature of Business; Fiscal Year...................................     67
         8.10     Foreign Subsidiaries........................................................     68
         8.11     No Further Negative Pledges.................................................     68
         8.12     Ownership of Subsidiaries; Limitations on Borrower..........................     68
         8.13     Sale and Leaseback Transactions.............................................     68
         8.14     Operating Lease Obligations.................................................     68
         8.15     Financial Covenants.........................................................     69

ARTICLE IX EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.....................................................     70
         9.01     Events of Default...........................................................     70
         9.02     Remedies Upon Event of Default..............................................     72
         9.03     Application of Funds........................................................     72

ARTICLE X ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT................................................................     73
         10.01    Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent..     73
         10.02    Delegation of Duties........................................................     74
         10.03    Liability of Administrative Agent...........................................     74
         10.04    Reliance by Administrative Agent............................................     75
         10.05    Notice of Default...........................................................     75
         10.06    Credit Decision; Disclosure of Information by Administrative Agent..........     75
         10.07    Indemnification of Administrative Agent.....................................     76
         10.08    Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.............................     76
         10.09    Successor Administrative Agent..............................................     76
         10.10    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim...............................     77
         10.11    Collateral and Guaranty Matters.............................................     78
         10.12    Other Agents; Arrangers and Managers........................................     78

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS......................................................................     78
         11.01    Amendments, Etc.............................................................     78
         11.02    Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies..........................     80
         11.03    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies..............................................     81
         11.04    Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes..........................................     81
         11.05    Indemnification by the Borrower.............................................     81
         11.06    Payments Set Aside..........................................................     82
         11.07    Successors and Assigns......................................................     82
         11.08    Confidentiality.............................................................     84
         11.09    Set-off.....................................................................     85
         11.10    Interest Rate Limitation....................................................     86
         11.11    Counterparts................................................................     86
         11.12    Integration.................................................................     86
         11.13    Survival of Representations and Warranties..................................     86
         11.14    Severability................................................................     86
         11.15    Tax Forms...................................................................     86
         11.16    Replacement of Lenders......................................................     88
         11.17    Source of Funds.............................................................     88
         11.18    GOVERNING LAW...............................................................     89
         11.19    WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY............................................     89
         11.20    No Conflict.................................................................     90
         11.21    Entire Agreement............................................................     90
</TABLE>

                                       iii

<PAGE>

                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.01         Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 2.03         Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 6.08         Litigation
Schedule 6.11         Intellectual Property
Schedule 6.16         Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.20         Labor Matters
Schedule 6.23(a)      Real Property
Schedule 6.23(b)      Tangible Personal Property
Schedule 6.23(c)      Chief Executive Office and Principal Place of Business
Schedule 7.08         Insurance
Schedule 8.01         Existing Liens
Schedule 8.02(b)      Existing Investments
Schedule 8.02(k)      Investment Policy
Schedule 8.03         Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 11.02        Notice Addresses

                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit 2.01(d)       Form of Lender Joinder Agreement
Exhibit 2.02          Form of Loan Notice
Exhibit 2.13          Form of Note
Exhibit 7.02          Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit 7.13          Form of Joinder Agreement
Exhibit 11.07         Form of Assignment and Assumption

                                       iv

<PAGE>

                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

         This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Credit Agreement") is
entered into as of October 22, 2003, among AMERIGROUP CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), the Guarantors identified herein, the Lenders
party hereto, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent,
L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, Wachovia Bank, National Association and Credit
Suisse First Boston, as Syndication Agents and CIBC World Market Corp., as
Documentation Agent.

         WHEREAS, a revolving credit facility (the "Existing Credit Facility")
was established in favor of the Borrower pursuant to the terms of that credit
agreement dated as of December 14, 2001 (as amended and modified through the
Closing Date, the "Existing Credit Agreement") among the Borrower, certain of
its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, as guarantors thereunder, the lenders party
thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as agent for the lenders thereunder;

         WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested certain modifications to the
Existing Credit Facility;

         WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to the requested modifications on the
terms and conditions provided herein;

         WHEREAS, this Credit Agreement is given in amendment to, restatement of
and substitution for the Existing Credit Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

         1.01     DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Credit Agreement, the following
terms have the meanings set forth below:

         "Acquisition" means the purchase or acquisition by any Person of (a)
more than 50% of the Capital Stock with ordinary voting power of another Person
(other than a Credit Party) or (b) all or any substantial portion of the
property (other than Capital Stock) of another Person (other than a Credit
Party), whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such Person.

         "Administrative Agent" means Bank of America in its capacity as
administrative agent for the Lenders under the Credit Documents, or any
successor administrative agent.

         "Administrative Agent's Office" means the Administrative Agent's
address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 11.02, or such
other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time
notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

         "Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative Questionnaire in
a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>

         "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, another Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is
Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

         "Agent-Related Persons" means the Administrative Agent, together with
its Affiliates (including, in the case of Bank of America in its capacity as the
Administrative Agent, BAS), and the officers, directors, employees, agents and
attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

         "Aggregate Commitments" means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

         "Aggregate Revolving Commitments" means the Revolving Commitments of
all the Lenders.

         "Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount" has the meaning provided in
Section 2.01(a).

         "Applicable Percentage" means the following percentages per annum,
based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent
Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
7.02(a):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Eurodollar Rate
 Pricing                    Consolidated                                          Loans and
  Level                    Leverage Ratio                 Base Rate Loans    Letter of Credit Fee    Commitment Fee
--------      ----------------------------------------    ---------------    --------------------    --------------
<S>           <C>                                         <C>                <C>                     <C>
   1                         < 1.5:1.0                        1.000%               2.000%                0.375%
   2                 > or = 1.5:1.0 and < 2.0:1.0             1.250%               2.250%                0.375%
   3                        > or = 2.0:1.0                    1.500%               2.500%                0.500%
</TABLE>

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Percentage resulting from a change in
the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the date five
Business Days immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is
delivered pursuant to Section 7.02(a); provided, however, that if a Compliance
Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance therewith, then Pricing
Level 3 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such
Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered until the date five
Business Days immediately following delivery thereof. The Applicable Percentage
in effect from the Closing Date through the date for delivery of a Compliance
Certificate for the period ending December 31, 2003 shall be determined based
upon Pricing Level 1. Determinations by the Administrative Agent of the
appropriate Pricing Level shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

         "Approved Fund" means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a
Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an
entity that administers or manages a Lender.

         "Arrangers" means (a) BAS, in its capacity as a joint lead arranger and
sole book manager, and (b) Wachovia Bank, National Association, in its capacity
as a joint lead arranger.

         "Asset Disposition" means the sale, lease or other disposition of any
Property by any member of the Consolidated Group (including, among other things,
the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary), but for purposes hereof shall not include,
in any event, (a) the sale or other disposition of inventory and Permitted
Investments in the ordinary course of business, (b) the sale, lease or other
disposition of machinery and equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct
of business, (c) a sale, lease, transfer or disposition of Property to a Credit
Party and (d) dispositions in connection with a Permitted Acquisition within
sixty days thereof.

         "Assignment and Assumption" means an Assignment and Assumption
substantially in the form of Exhibit 11.07.

                                        2

<PAGE>

         "Attorney Costs" means and includes all reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of any law firm or other counsel.

         "Attributable Principal Amount" means (a) in the case of capital
leases, the amount of capital lease obligations determined in accordance with
GAAP, (b) in the case of Synthetic Leases, an amount determined by
capitalization of the remaining lease payments thereunder as if it were a
capital lease determined in accordance with GAAP, (c) in the case of
Securitization Transactions, the outstanding principal amount of such financing,
after taking into account reserve amounts and making appropriate adjustments,
determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment and (d) in the
case of Sale and Leaseback Transactions, the present value (discounted in
accordance with GAAP at the debt rate implied in the applicable lease) of the
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the term of such lease).

         "Availability Period" means the period from and including the Closing
Date to the earliest of (a) with respect to Revolving Loans and Swing Line
Loans, the Termination Date, and with respect to Letters of Credit, the L/C
Expiration Date, (b) the date on which the Commitments shall have been
terminated pursuant to Section 2.07 or (c) the date on which the obligations of
the Lenders to make Loans and of the L/C Issuer to issue Letters of Credit shall
have been terminated pursuant to Section 9.02.

         "Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A., together with its
successors.

         "BAS" means Bank of America Securities LLC, together with its
successors.

         "Base Rate" means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the
higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest
in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of
America as its "prime rate." The "prime rate" is a rate set by Bank of America
based upon various factors including Bank of America's costs and desired return,
general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point
for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced
rate. Any change in the prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take
effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public
announcement of such change.

         "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base
Rate.

         "Borrower" has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

         "Borrower Cash Flow" means, for any period for the Borrower, the sum of
(a) management fees accrued (to the extent received within ninety days), plus
(b) royalty fees accrued (to the extent received within ninety days), plus
(c)(i) with respect to the Borrower, investment income accrued and (ii)
investment income accrued by the Borrower with respect to members of the
Consolidated Group (to the extent received within ninety days), minus (d) sales
and general and administrative expense, plus (e) dividends and distributions
from members of the Consolidated Group, minus (f) cash Investments made in
members of the Consolidated Group and Affiliates during such period, in each
case determined on an unconsolidated basis on the accrual basis of accounting in
accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable
period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date
of determination.

         "Borrower Fixed Charges" means, for any period for the Borrower, the
sum of (a) interest expense, plus (b) scheduled principal payments on Funded
Debt, plus (c) income taxes, plus (d) Restricted Payments paid by the Borrower
to any Person (other than a member of the Consolidated Group), in each case

                                        3

<PAGE>

determined on an unconsolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. Except as
otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

         "Borrowing" means (a) a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of
the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same
Interest Period, or (b) a borrowing of Swing Line Loans, as appropriate.

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which commercial banks in Charlotte, North Carolina or New York, New York are
authorized to close under applicable Law or are in fact closed and, if such day
relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in
Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank
eurodollar market.

         "Capital Stock" means (a) in the case of a corporation, capital stock,
(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
capital stock, (c) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether
general or limited), (d) in the case of a limited liability company, membership
interests and (e) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person
the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of
assets of, the issuing Person.

         "Cash Collateralize" has the meaning provided in Section 2.03(g).

         "Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities issued or directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality
thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged
in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the
date of acquisition, (b) Dollar-denominated time deposits and certificates of
deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of recognized
standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million or (iii) any bank
whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the
equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof
(any such bank being an "Approved Bank"), in each case with maturities of not
more than 365 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and
variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent
company thereof) or any fixed rate, variable rate, or auction rate securities
issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation or municipality rated A-1
(or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof)
or better by Moody's and maturing within six months of the date of acquisition,
(d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust
company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having
capital and surplus in excess of $500 million for direct obligations issued by
or fully guaranteed by the United States in which such Person shall have a
perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and
having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least one
hundred percent (100%) of the amount of the repurchase obligations, (e)
Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money
market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, that are administered by reputable financial institutions having
capital of at least $500 million and the portfolios of which are limited to
Investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through
(d), and (f) with respect to (i) the Borrower, marketable debt securities
regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter
market, if and to the extent such debt security constitutes a permitted
investment under the HMO Regulations applicable to any of the HMO Subsidiaries
or (ii) any HMO Subsidiary, marketable debt securities regularly traded on a
national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, if and to the
extent such debt security constitutes a permitted investment under the HMO
Regulations applicable to such HMO Subsidiary.

                                        4

<PAGE>

         "Change of Control" means, with respect to any Person, an event or
series of events by which:

                  (a)      any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
         Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but
         excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries,
         and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or
         other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the
         "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be
         deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that such
         person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an "option
         right"), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
         the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the
         equity securities of such Person entitled to vote for members of the
         board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Person on a
         fully diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that
         such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option
         right); or

                  (b)      during any period of twelve consecutive months, a
         majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent
         governing body of such Person cease to be composed of individuals (i)
         who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the
         first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that
         board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred
         to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or
         nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing
         body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other
         equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in
         clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or
         nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing
         body (excluding, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any individual
         whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of
         that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual
         or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or
         removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a
         solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf
         of the board of directors).

         "Closing Date" means the date hereof.

         "CMS" means the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of HHS, any
successor thereof and any predecessor thereof (including the United States
Health Care Financing Administration).

         "Collateral" means the collateral identified in, and at any time
covered by, the Collateral Documents.

         "Collateral Agent" means Bank of America in its capacity as collateral
agent for the Lenders under any of the Credit Documents, or any successor
collateral agent.

         "Collateral Documents" means the Security Agreement, the Pledge
Agreement and any other documents executed and delivered in connection with the
attachment and perfection of security interests granted to secure the
Obligations.

         "Commitments" means the Revolving Commitments, the L/C Commitments and
the Swing Line Commitments.

         "Company Action Level" means the Company Action Level risk-based
capital threshold, as defined by NAIC.

                                        5

<PAGE>

         "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit 7.02.

         "Confidential Information" has the meaning provided in Section 11.08.

         "Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means, for any period for the
Consolidated Group, without duplication, all expenditures (whether paid in cash
or other consideration) during such period that, in accordance with GAAP, are or
should be included in additions to property, plant and equipment or similar
items (including capitalized software costs) reflected in the consolidated
statement of cash flows for such period; provided that Consolidated Capital
Expenditures shall not include, for purposes hereof, (a) expenditures of
proceeds of insurance settlements, condemnation awards and other settlements in
respect of lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other
property to the extent such expenditures are made to replace or repair such
lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other property or
otherwise to acquire assets or properties useful in such Person's business or
(b) expenditures in connection with the Acquisition of the HQ Property in an
amount not to exceed $25 million.

         "Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period for the Consolidated Group,
the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income, plus (b) to the extent deducted in
determining net income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) taxes and (iii)
depreciation and amortization, in each case on a consolidated basis determined
in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable
period shall be the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of
determination.

         "Consolidated Funded Debt" means Funded Debt for the Consolidated Group
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Consolidated Group" means the Borrower and its consolidated
subsidiaries, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period for the
Consolidated Group, all interest expense on a consolidated basis determined in
accordance with GAAP, but including, in any event, the amortization of debt
discount and premium, the interest component under Capital Leases and the
implied interest component under Securitization Transactions. Except as
expressly provided otherwise, the applicable period shall be the four
consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

         "Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of each fiscal
quarter, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt on such day to (b)
Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as
of such day.

         "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period for the Consolidated
Group, net income (or loss) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP, but excluding for purposes of determining the Consolidated Leverage
Ratio, any extraordinary non-cash gains or losses and related tax effects
thereon. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be
the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

         "Consolidated Net Worth" means, as of any date, consolidated
shareholders' equity or net worth of the Consolidated Group as determined in
accordance with GAAP.

         "Contract Provider" means any Person or any employee, agent or
subcontractor of such Person who provides professional health care services
under or pursuant to any contract with any member of the Consolidated Group.

                                        6

<PAGE>

         "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument or other
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.

         "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether
through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be
Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or
indirectly, power to vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the
equivalent.

         "Credit Agreement" has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

         "Credit Documents" means this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the
Collateral Documents, the Letters of Credit, the Joinder Agreements, the Lender
Joinder Agreements, the Fee Letter and the Compliance Certificates.

         "Credit Extension" means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing of a
Revolving Loan or a Swing Line Loan, (b) the conversion or continuation of a
Loan, and (c) an L/C Credit Extension.

         "Credit Parties" means, collectively, the Borrower and the Guarantors.

         "Debt Rating" means, as of any date of determination, the rating as
determined by either Moody's or S&P of the Borrower's non-credit enhanced,
senior unsecured long-term debt.

         "Debt Transactions" means, with respect to any member of the
Consolidated Group, any sale, issuance, placement, assumption or guaranty of
Funded Debt, whether or not evidenced by a promissory note or other written
evidence of Indebtedness, except for Funded Debt permitted to be incurred
pursuant to subsections (a) through (j) of Section 8.03.

         "Debtor Relief Laws" means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States,
and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency,
reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other
applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of
creditors generally.

         "Default" means any event, act or condition that, with notice, the
passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

         "Default Rate" means an interest rate equal to (a) except as provided
in clause (b), (i) the Base Rate, plus (ii) the Applicable Percentage applicable
to Base Rate Loans, plus (iii) 2% per annum and (b) with respect to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, (i) the Eurodollar Rate, plus (ii) the Applicable Percentage
applicable to Eurodollar Rate Loans, plus (iii) 2% per annum; in each case to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

         "Defaulting Lender" means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any
portion of the Loans, participations in L/C Obligations or participations in
Swing Line Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day
of the date required to be funded by it hereunder and has not cured such failure
prior to the date of determination, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by
it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of
a good faith dispute, and has not cured such failure prior to the

                                       7

<PAGE>

date of determination, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of
a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

         "Dollar" or "$" means the lawful currency of the United States.

         "Domestic Credit Party" means a Credit Party that is incorporated or
organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of
Columbia.

         "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is organized under the
laws of any State of the United States or the District of Columbia.

         "Eligible Assignee" means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender;
(c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person)
approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, and (ii) unless an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (each such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing,
"Eligible Assignee" shall not include the Borrower or any of the Borrower's
Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

         "Eligible Domestic Subsidiary" means any Domestic Subsidiary of the
Borrower other than (a) a Subsidiary that is an HMO or is in the process of
obtaining a license to become an HMO or (b) a Subsidiary that has no assets.

         "Environmental Laws" means any and all federal, state, local, and
foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or
governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the
environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including
those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to
waste or public systems.

         "Environmental Liability" means any liability, contingent or otherwise
(including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines,
penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Credit Party or any of
their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based
upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling,
transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c)
exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of
any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or
other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed
with respect to any of the foregoing.

         "Equity Transaction" means, with respect to any member of the
Consolidated Group, any issuance or sale of shares of its Capital Stock, other
than an issuance (a) to a member of the Consolidated Group, (b) in connection
with a conversion of debt securities to equity, (c) in connection with the
exercise by a present or former employee, officer or director under a stock
incentive plan, stock option plan or other equity-based compensation plan or
arrangement, or (d) Capital Stock of the Borrower in connection with any
Permitted Acquisition.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

         "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o)
of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412
of the Internal Revenue Code).

                                        8

<PAGE>

         "ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension
Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension
Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a
substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation
of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of
ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is
in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension
Plan, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or
4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a
Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition that is determined
by the PBGC to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan
or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of
ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of
ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

         "Eurodollar Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based
on the Eurodollar Rate.

         "Eurodollar Base Rate" means, for any Interest Period with respect to
any Eurodollar Rate Loan:

                  (a)      the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by
         the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the
         page of the Telerate screen (or any successor thereto) that displays an
         average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for
         deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest
         Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as
         of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to
         the first day of such Interest Period, or

                  (b)      if the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a)
         does not appear on such page or service or such page or service shall
         not be available, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by
         the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or
         other service that displays an average British Bankers Association
         Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the
         first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such
         Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London
         time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period,
         or

                  (c)      if the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (a)
         and (b) are not available, the rate per annum determined by the
         Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which deposits in
         Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same
         day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being
         made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term
         equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of
         America's London Branch to major banks in the London interbank
         eurodollar market at their request at approximately 4:00 p.m. (London
         time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

         "Eurodollar Rate" means for any Interest Period with respect to any
Eurodollar Rate Loan, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent
pursuant to the following formula:

                                             Eurodollar Base Rate
                  Eurodollar Rate  = ------------------------------------
                                     1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

         "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, for any day during any Interest
Period, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five
decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender,
under regulations issued from time to time by the FRB for determining the

                                       9

<PAGE>

maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other
marginal reserve requirement) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as "eurocurrency liabilities"). The Eurodollar Rate for each
outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be adjusted automatically as of the
effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

         "Event of Default" has the meaning provided in Section 9.01.

         "Exclusion Event" means an event or related events resulting in the
exclusion of one or more members of the Consolidated Group from participation in
any Medical Reimbursement Program.

         "Existing Credit Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.

         "Existing Letters of Credit" means the letters of credit outstanding on
the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.03.

         "Extraordinary Receipts" means receipt by any Credit Party of any tax
refunds, indemnity payments, pension reversions, or cash insurance proceeds or
condemnation awards payable by reason of theft, loss, physical destruction or
damage, taking or similar event with respect to any of its Property.

         "Family Care" means health care programs designed for uninsured
segments of the population (other than Medicaid-eligible or SCHIP-eligible
segments of the population) that are operated by or financed in part by federal
and state government.

         "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to
the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such
day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day
immediately succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business
Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions
on the immediately preceding Business Day as so published on the immediately
succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such
immediately succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall
be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%)
charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the
Administrative Agent.

         "Fee Letter" means (a) the letter agreement dated August 27, 2003 among
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and (b) the letter
agreement dated August 27, 2003 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
BAS.

         "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the ratio of (a)
Borrower Cash Flow to (b) Borrower Fixed Charges.

         "Follow-On Offering" means a follow-on equity offering of the Borrower
at any time on or prior to December 31, 2003.

         "Foreign Lender" has the meaning provided in Section 11.15(a)(i).

         "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.

         "FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the
United States.

                                       10

<PAGE>

         "Fund" means any Person (other than a natural person) engaged in
making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and
similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

         "Funded Debt" means, as to any Person at a particular time, without
duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or
liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

                  (a)      all obligations for borrowed money, whether current
         or long-term (including the Obligations hereunder), and all obligations
         evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar
         instruments;

                  (b)      all purchase money indebtedness (including
         indebtedness and obligations in respect of conditional sales and title
         retention arrangements, except for customary conditional sales and
         title retention arrangements with suppliers that are entered into in
         the ordinary course of business) and all indebtedness and obligations
         in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services
         (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of
         business and payable on customary trade terms);

                  (c)      all direct obligations under letters of credit
         (including standby and commercial), bankers' acceptances and similar
         instruments (including bank guaranties, surety bonds, comfort letters,
         keep-well agreements and capital maintenance agreements);

                  (d)      the Attributable Principal Amount of capital leases
         and Synthetic Leases;

                  (e)      the Attributable Principal Amount of Securitization
         Transactions;

                  (f)      all preferred stock and comparable equity interests
         providing for mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other like
         payments;

                  (g)      Support Obligations in respect of Funded Debt of
         another Person;

                  (h)      Funded Debt of any partnership or joint venture or
         other similar entity in which such Person is a general partner or joint
         venturer, and, as such, has personal liability for such obligations,
         but only to the extent there is recourse to such Person for payment
         thereof.

For purposes hereof, the amount of Funded Debt shall be determined based on the
outstanding principal amount in the case of borrowed money indebtedness under
clause (a) and purchase money indebtedness and the deferred purchase obligations
under clause (b), based on the maximum amount available to be drawn in the case
of letter of credit obligations and the other obligations under clause (c), and
based on the amount of Funded Debt that is the subject of the Support
Obligations in the case of Support Obligations under clause (g).

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the
United States as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board from
time to time applied on a consistent basis, subject to the provisions of Section
1.03.

         "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof, and any agency, authority, instrumentality,
regulatory body, court, administrative tribunal, central bank or other entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or
administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

                                       11

<PAGE>

         "Governmental Reimbursement Program Cost" means with respect to and
payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries the sum of:

                  (a)      all amounts (including punitive and other similar
         amounts) agreed to be paid or payable (i) in settlement of claims or
         (ii) as a result of a final, non-appealable judgment, award or similar
         order, in each case, relating to participation in Medical Reimbursement
         Programs;

                  (b)      all final, non-appealable fines, penalties,
         forfeitures or other amounts rendered pursuant to criminal indictments
         or other criminal proceedings relating to participation in Medical
         Reimbursement Programs; and

                  (c)      the amount of final, non-appealable recovery,
         damages, awards, penalties, forfeitures or similar amounts rendered in
         any litigation, suit, arbitration, investigation or other legal or
         administrative proceeding of any kind relating to participation in
         Medical Reimbursement Programs.

         "Guarantors" means, collectively, each Person identified on the
signature pages hereto as a "Guarantor" and each other Person that becomes a
Guarantor pursuant to the terms hereof, in each case together with their
successors and permitted assigns.

         "Hazardous Materials" means all explosive or radioactive substances or
wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants,
including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing
materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes
and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any
Environmental Law.

         "HHS" means the United States Department of Health and Human Services
and any successor thereof.

         "HIPAA" means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
of 1996, Pub. L. 104-191, Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1936.

         "HMO" means any health maintenance organization, managed care
organization, any Person doing business as a health maintenance organization or
managed care organization, or any Person required to qualify or be licensed as a
health maintenance organization or managed care organization under applicable
federal or state law (including, without limitation, HMO Regulations).

         "HMO Business" means the business of owning and operating an HMO or
other similar regulated entity or business.

         "HMO Event" means any material non-compliance by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries with any of the terms and provisions of the HMO Regulations
pertaining to its fiscal soundness, solvency or financial condition; or the
assertion in writing, after the date hereof, by an HMO Regulator that it intends
to take administrative action against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
revoke or modify any license, charter or permit or to enforce the fiscal
soundness, solvency or financial provisions or requirements of the HMO
Regulations against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         "HMO Regulations" means all laws, regulations, directives and
administrative orders applicable under federal or state law to any HMO
Subsidiary (and any regulations, orders and directives promulgated or issued
pursuant to any of the foregoing) and Subchapter XI of Title 42 of the United
States Code

                                       12

<PAGE>

Annotated (and any regulations, orders and directives promulgated or issued
pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, Part 417 of Chapter IV of 42
Code of Federal Regulations (1990)).

         "HMO Regulator" means any Person charged with the administration,
oversight or enforcement of an HMO Regulation, whether primarily, secondarily or
jointly.

         "HMO Subsidiary" means each of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower
identified as an HMO Subsidiary on Schedule 6.16 hereto, and any other existing
or future Subsidiary of the Borrower that is capitalized or licensed as an HMO,
conducting HMO Business or providing managed care services.

         "HQ Property" means property in Virginia on which a new building will
be constructed for use as the Borrower's support center (including a call
center, data center or other related-use center).

         "Indebtedness" means, as to any Person at a particular time, without
duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or
liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

                  (a)      all Funded Debt;

                  (b)      all contingent obligations under letters of credit
         (including standby and commercial), bankers' acceptances and similar
         instruments (including bank guaranties, surety bonds, comfort letters,
         keep-well agreements and capital maintenance agreements);

                  (c)      net obligations under any Swap Contract;

                  (d)      Support Obligations in respect of Indebtedness of
         another Person; and

                  (e)      Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture or
         other similar entity in which such Person is a general partner or joint
         venturer, and, as such, has personal liability for such obligations,
         but only to the extent there is recourse to such Person for payment
         thereof.

For purposes hereof, the amount of Indebtedness shall be determined based on
Swap Termination Value in the case of net obligations under Swap Contracts under
clause (c) and based on the outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness
that is the subject of the Support Obligations in the case of Support
Obligations under clause (d).

         "Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning provided in Section 11.05.

         "Indemnitees" has the meaning provided in Section 11.05.

         "Intellectual Property" has the meaning provided in Section 6.11.

         "Interest Payment Date" means, (a) as to any Base Rate Loan (including
Swing Line Loans), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and
December, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Termination
Date and, in the case of any Swing Line Loan, any other dates as may be mutually
agreed upon by the Borrower and the Swing Line Lender, and (b) as to any
Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each Interest Period for such
Loan, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan, the Termination Date, and
in addition, where the applicable Interest Period exceeds three months, the date
every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period. If an Interest
Payment Date falls on a date that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment
Date shall be deemed to be the immediately succeeding Business Day.

                                       13

<PAGE>

         "Interest Period" means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period
commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or
continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or
six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice; provided
that:

                  (a)      any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day
         that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the immediately
         succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another
         calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the
         immediately preceding Business Day;

                  (b)      any Interest Period that begins on the last Business
         Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
         corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
         Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the
         end of such Interest Period; and

                  (c)      no Interest Period shall extend beyond the
         Termination Date. "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue
         Code of 1986.

         "Investment" means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect
acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase
or other acquisition of Capital Stock of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or
capital contribution to, guaranty or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other
acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another
Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other
Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series
of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit.
For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the
amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or
decreases in the value of such Investment.

         "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

         "Joinder Agreement" means a joinder agreement substantially in the form
of Exhibit 7.13 executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7.13.

         "Laws" means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state
and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes
and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all
applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority,
in each case whether or not having the force of law.

         "L/C Advance" means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender's funding
of its participation in any L/C Borrowing.

         "L/C Borrowing" means any extension of credit resulting from a drawing
under any Letter of Credit that has not been reimbursed or refinanced as a
Borrowing of Revolving Loans.

         "L/C Commitment" means, with respect to the L/C Issuer, the commitment
of the L/C Issuer to issue and to honor payment obligations under Letters of
Credit, and, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to
purchase participation interests in L/C Obligations up to such Lender's Pro Rata
Share thereof.

                                       14

<PAGE>

         "L/C Credit Extension" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the
issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the renewal or
increase of the amount thereof.

         "L/C Expiration Date" means the day that is five Business Days prior to
the Termination Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the
immediately preceding Business Day).

         "L/C Issuer" means (a) as to Existing Letters of Credit, those Lenders
identified as an issuer on Schedule 2.03, and (b) as to Letters of Credit issued
hereunder, Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit
hereunder, in each case together with its successors in such capacity.

         "L/C Obligations" means, at any time, the sum of (a) the maximum amount
available to be drawn under Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming
compliance with all requirements for drawings referenced therein, plus (b) the
aggregate amount of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including L/C Borrowings.

         "L/C Sublimit" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(b).

         "Lender" means each of the Persons identified as a "Lender" on the
signature pages hereto (and, as appropriate, includes the L/C Issuer and the
Swing Line Lender) and each Person who joins as a Lender pursuant to the terms
hereof, together with their respective successors and assigns.

         "Lender Joinder Agreement" means a joinder agreement, substantially in
the form of Exhibit 2.01(d), executed and delivered in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.01(d).

         "Lending Office" means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such
Lender set forth in such Lender's Administrative Questionnaire or such other
office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.

         "Letter of Credit" means each Existing Letter of Credit and each
standby and commercial letter of credit issued hereunder.

         "Letter of Credit Application" means an application and agreement for
the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in
use by the L/C Issuer.

         "Licenses" means all licenses, permits and other grants of authority
obtained or required to be obtained from any Governmental Authorities in
connection with the management or operation of the business of the members of
the Consolidated Group or the ownership, lease, license or use of any Property
of the members of the Consolidated Group.

         "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference,
priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect
as any of the foregoing).

         "Loan" means any Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan, and the Base Rate
Loans and Eurodollar Rate Loans comprising such Loans.

         "Loan Notice" means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Loans (including
Swing Line Loans), (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c)
a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, which, if in writing, shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.02.

                                       15

<PAGE>

         "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (a) the
condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, assets, liabilities or
prospects of the Consolidated Group taken as a whole; (b) the ability of any
member of the Consolidated Group to perform any material obligation under any
Credit Document to which it is a party or (c) the material rights and remedies
of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Credit Documents.

         "Medicaid" means that means-tested entitlement program under Title XIX,
P.L. 89-87, of the Social Security Act, which provides federal grants to states
for medical assistance based on specific eligibility criteria, as set forth at
Section 1396, et seq. of Title 42 of the United Sates Code, as amended.

         "Medicaid Regulations" means, collectively, (a) all federal statutes
(whether set forth in Title XIX of the Social Security Act or elsewhere)
affecting the medical assistance program established by Title XIX of the Social
Security Act and any statutes succeeding thereto; (b) all applicable provisions
of all federal rules, regulations, manuals and orders of all Governmental
Authorities promulgated pursuant to or in connection with the statutes described
in clause (a) above and all federal administrative, reimbursement and other
guidelines of all Governmental Authorities having the force of law promulgated
pursuant to or in connection with the statutes described in clause (a) above;
(c) all state statutes and plans for medical assistance enacted in connection
with the statutes and provisions described in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d)
all applicable provisions of all rules, regulations, manuals and orders of all
Governmental Authorities promulgated pursuant to or in connection with the
statutes described in clause (c) above and all state administrative,
reimbursement and other guidelines of all Governmental Authorities having the
force of law promulgated pursuant to or in connection with the statutes
described in clause (b) above, in each case as may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Medical Reimbursement Programs" means a collective reference to the
Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and Family Care programs and any other health care
program operated by or financed in whole or in part by any foreign or domestic
federal, state or local government and any other non-government funded
third-party payor programs.

         "Medical Reimbursement Program Provider Agreements" means an agreement
entered into with a Medical Reimbursement Program to provide services for
program patients in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable Law.

         "Medicare" means that government-sponsored entitlement program under
Title XVIII, P.L. 89-87, of the Social Security Act, which provides for a health
insurance system for eligible elderly and disabled individuals, as set forth at
Section 1395, et seq. of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended.

         "Medicare Regulations" means, collectively, all federal statutes
(whether set forth in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act or elsewhere)
affecting the health insurance program for the aged and disabled established by
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act and any statutes succeeding thereto;
together with all applicable provisions of all rules, regulations, manuals and
orders and administrative, reimbursement and other guidelines having the force
of law of all Governmental Authorities (including, without limitation, CMS, the
OIG, HHS, or any person succeeding to the functions of any of the foregoing)
promulgated pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing having the
force of law, as each may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.

         "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and any successor
thereto.

                                       16

<PAGE>

         "Multiemployer Plan" means any employee benefit plan of the type
described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding
five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

         "NAIC" means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a
national organization of insurance regulators.

         "Net Cash Proceeds" means, without duplication, the aggregate proceeds
paid in cash or Cash Equivalents received by any member of the Consolidated
Group in connection with any Asset Disposition, Debt Transaction, Equity
Transaction or Securitization Transaction, net of (a) direct costs (including,
without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, filing fees,
printing, distribution costs, sales commissions and underwriting discounts) and
(b) estimated taxes paid or payable as a result thereof. For purposes hereof,
"Net Cash Proceeds" includes any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the
disposition of any non-cash consideration received by any member of the
Consolidated Group in any Asset Disposition, Debt Transaction, Equity
Transaction or Securitization Transaction.

         "Notes" means the Revolving Notes.

         "Obligations" means, without duplication, (a) all advances to, and
debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party
arising under any Credit Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or
Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by
assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or
hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the
commencement by or against any Credit Party of any proceeding under any Debtor
Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of
whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding and (b) all
obligations under any Swap Contract of any Credit Party to which a Lender or any
Affiliate of a Lender is a party.

         "OIG" means the Office of Inspector General of HHS and any successor
thereof.

         "Organization Documents" means, (a) with respect to any corporation,
the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws; (b) with respect to
any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or
organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership,
joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint
venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any
agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection
with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in
the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any
certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

         "Outstanding Amount" means (a) with respect to Revolving Loans on any
date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to
any Borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Loans occurring on
such date, (b) with respect to Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate
outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any Borrowings and
prepayments or repayments of Swing Line Loans occurring on such date and (c)
with respect to L/C Obligations on any date, the maximum amount available to be
drawn under such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C
Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate
amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any
reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any
reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit
taking effect on such date.

         "Participant" has the meaning provided in Section 11.07(d).

                                       17

<PAGE>

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

         "Pension Plan" means any "employee pension benefit plan" (as such term
is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is
subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate or to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes
or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or
other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any
time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

         "Permitted Acquisition" means any Acquisition permitted pursuant to
Section 8.02(m) or (n).

         "Permitted Investments" means, at any time, Investments permitted
pursuant to Section 8.02.

         "Permitted Liens" means Liens permitted pursuant to Section 8.01.

         "Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited liability
company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental
Authority or other entity.

         "Plan" means any "employee benefit plan" (as such term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by the Borrower or, with respect to any such
plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Title IV of
ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

         "Pledge Agreement" means the pledge agreements dated as of the Closing
Date given by the Credit Parties, as pledgors, to the Collateral Agent to secure
the Obligations, and any other pledge agreements that may be given by any Person
pursuant to the terms hereof, as such pledge agreements may be amended and
modified from time to time.

         "Pro Forma Basis" means, for purposes of determining the applicable
pricing level under the definition of "Applicable Percentage" and determining
compliance with any financial covenant or test hereunder, that the subject
transaction shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the period
of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the end of the most recent
fiscal quarter for which annual or quarterly financial statements shall have
been delivered in accordance with the provisions hereof. Further, for purposes
of making calculations on a "Pro Forma Basis" hereunder, (a) in the case of a
Asset Disposition, (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative)
attributable to the property, entities or business units that are the subject of
the disposition shall be excluded to the extent relating to any period prior to
the date of subject transaction, and (ii) Indebtedness paid or retired in
connection with the subject transaction shall be deemed to have been paid and
retired as of the first day of the applicable period; and (b) in the case of an
Acquisition, (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative)
attributable to the property, entities or business units that are the subject of
the acquisition shall be included to the extent relating to any period prior to
the date of subject transaction, and (ii) Indebtedness incurred in connection
with the subject transaction shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the
first day of the applicable period (and interest expense shall be imputed for
the applicable period assuming prevailing interest rates hereunder); provided in
each case that additional pro forma adjustments may be included if, and to the
extent, such adjustments are (A) quantifiable based on the underlying accounting
records of such property, entity or business unit, (B) factually supportable,
and (C) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

         "Pro Rata Share" means, as to each Lender, a fraction (expressed as a
percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is
the amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender at such time and the
denominator of which is the amount of the Aggregate Revolving

                                       18

<PAGE>

Commitments at such time; provided that if the obligation of each Lender to make
Revolving Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit
Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 9.02, then the Pro Rata
Share of such Lender shall be determined based on the Pro Rata Share of such
Lender immediately prior to such termination and after giving effect to any
subsequent assignments made pursuant to the terms hereof. The initial Pro Rata
Share of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule
2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a
party hereto, as applicable.

         "Property" means any interest in any kind of property, whether real,
personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible (including, without limitation,
membership interests and state contract rights).

         "Register" has the meaning provided in Section 11.07(c).

         "Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c)
of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty-day notice period has been
waived.

         "Request for Credit Extension" means (a) with respect to a Borrowing of
Loans (including Swing Line Loans) or the conversion or continuation of Loans, a
Loan Notice and (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit
Application.

         "Required Advances" means advances required by HMO Regulators to be
made by any member of the Consolidated Group to a Contract Provider.

         "Required Lenders" means, as of any date of determination, at least
three Lenders having more than 50% of the Aggregate Commitments or, if the
commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to
make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 9.02,
Lenders holding in the aggregate more than 50% of the Total Outstandings
(including, in each case, the aggregate amount of each Lender's risk
participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans);
provided that the Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held
or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of
making a determination of Required Lenders.

         "Responsible Officer" means the chief executive officer, president,
chief financial officer, general counsel, secretary, treasurer, assistant
treasurer or chief accounting officer of a Credit Party. Any document delivered
hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party shall be
conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate,
partnership and/or other action on the part of such Credit Party and such
Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of
such Credit Party.

         "Restricted Payment" means (a) any dividend or other payment or
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of
Capital Stock of any member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter
outstanding (including any payment in connection with any dissolution, merger,
consolidation or disposition involving any member of the Consolidated Group), or
to the holders, in their capacity as such, of any shares of any class of Capital
Stock of any member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter outstanding
(other than dividends or distributions payable in the same class of Capital
Stock of the applicable Person or dividends or distributions payable to any
Credit Party (directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries)), (b) any redemption,
retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for
value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of any
member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter outstanding, and (c) any
payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants,
options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital Stock of any
member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter outstanding.

                                       19

<PAGE>

         "Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the
commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to share in the Revolving
Obligations hereunder up to such Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof.

         "Revolving Committed Amount" means, with respect to each Lender, the
amount of such Lender's Revolving Commitment. The initial Revolving Committed
Amounts are set forth on Schedule 2.01.

         "Revolving Loan" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

         "Revolving Note" means the promissory notes substantially in the form
of Exhibit 2.13 given to each Lender to evidence the Revolving Loans of such
Lender and given to the Swing Line Lender to evidence the Swing Line Loans of
such Lender, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or
replaced.

         "Revolving Obligations" means the Revolving Loans, the L/C Obligations
and the Swing Line Loans.

         "Risk-Based Capital" means, with respect to each HMO Subsidiary, at any
time, the Company Action Level Risk-Based Capital (as defined by the NAIC on the
date of determination and as determined in accordance with SAP) of such HMO
Subsidiary.

         "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

         "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means, with respect to the Borrower or
any Subsidiary, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person that is
not a Credit Party whereby the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall sell or
transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or
other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or
purposes as the property being sold or transferred.

         "SAP" means, with respect to each HMO Subsidiary, the statutory
accounting principles and procedures prescribed or permitted by applicable HMO
Regulations for such HMO Subsidiary, applied on a consistent basis.

         "SCHIP" means the State Childrens' Health Insurance Program, a
federal/state matching program that provides health care coverage to children
not otherwise covered by Medicaid or other insurance programs and that may be
administered by states through their Medicaid programs.

         "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

         "Securitization Transaction" means any financing or factoring or
similar transaction (or series of such transactions) entered by any member of
the Consolidated Group pursuant to which such member of the Consolidated Group
may sell, convey or otherwise transfer, or grant a security interest in,
accounts, payments, receivables, rights to future lease payments or residuals or
similar rights to payment (the "Securitization Receivables") to a special
purpose subsidiary or affiliate (a "Securitization Subsidiary") or any other
Person.

                                       20

<PAGE>

         "Security Agreement" means the security agreement dated as of the
Closing Date given by the Credit Parties, as grantors, to the Collateral Agent
to secure the Obligations, and any other security agreements that may be given
by any Person pursuant to the terms hereof, as such security agreements may be
amended and modified from time to time.

         "Social Security Act" means the Social Security Act of 1965 as set
forth in Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended, and any successor
statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.

         "Stark I and II" means Section 1877 of the Social Security Act as set
forth at Section 1395nn of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended, and
any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations
issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.

         "Subsidiary" of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority
of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for
the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or
interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency)
are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise
controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both,
by such Person. Unless otherwise provided, "Subsidiary" shall refer to a
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

         "Subordinated Debt" means any Indebtedness of a member of the
Consolidated Group that by its terms is expressly subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment of the Obligations on terms and conditions and
evidenced by documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the
Required Lenders.

         "Support Obligations" means, as to any Person, any (a) any obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person (other than endorsements in the ordinary
course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection)
guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or
other obligation payable by another Person (the "primary obligor") in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such
Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds
for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to
purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring
the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment
of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital,
equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level
of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for
the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such
Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such
obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien
on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of
any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is
assumed by such Person. The amount of any Support Obligations shall be deemed to
be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary
obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Support Obligation is
made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated
liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good
faith.

         "Swap Contract" means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis
swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity
swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index
swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward
bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate
options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor
transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency
rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar

                                       21

<PAGE>

transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options
to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is
governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions
of any kind, and the related confirmations, that are subject to the terms and
conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign
Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master
agreement, together with any related schedules, a "Master Agreement"), including
any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

         "Swap Termination Value" means, in respect of any one or more Swap
Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable
netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after
the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination values
determined in accordance therewith, such termination values, and (b) for any
date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amounts determined as the
mark-to-market values for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or
more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized
dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a
Lender).

         "Swing Line Borrowing" means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant
to Section 2.01(c).

         "Swing Line Commitment" means, with respect to the Swing Line Lender,
the commitment of the Swing Line Lender to make Swing Line Loans, and with
respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to purchase participation
interests in Swing Line Loans.

         "Swing Line Lender" means Bank of America in its capacity as such,
together with any successor in such capacity.

         "Swing Line Loan" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(c).

         "Swing Line Sublimit" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(c).

         "Synthetic Lease" means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating
lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing arrangement
that is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is
classified as an operating lease under GAAP.

         "Termination Date" means October 22, 2006.

         "Total Adjusted Capital" means, with respect to each HMO Subsidiary, at
any time, the Total Adjusted Capital (as defined by the NAIC on the date of
determination and as determined in accordance with SAP) of such HMO Subsidiary.

         "Total Outstandings" means the sum of (a) the Outstanding Amount of all
Revolving Loans, plus (b) the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, plus
(c) the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations.

         "Type" means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate
Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

         "Unfunded Pension Liability" means the excess of a Pension Plan's
benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value
of that Pension Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions
used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Internal
Revenue Code for the applicable plan year.

                                       22

<PAGE>

         "United States" or "U.S." means the United States of America.

         "Unreimbursed Amount" has the meaning provided in Section 2.03(c)(i).

         "Wholly Owned" means, with respect to any direct or indirect Subsidiary
of any Person, that 100% of the Capital Stock with ordinary voting power issued
by such Subsidiary (other than directors' qualifying shares and investments by
foreign nationals mandated by applicable Law) is beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person.

         1.02     INTERPRETIVE PROVISIONS. With reference to this Credit
Agreement and each other Credit Document, unless otherwise provided herein or in
such other Credit Document:

                  (a)      The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable
         to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

                  (b)      (i)      The words "herein," "hereto," "hereof" and
                  "hereunder" and words of similar import when used in any
                  Credit Document shall refer to such Credit Document as a whole
                  and not to any particular provision thereof.

                           (ii)     Unless otherwise provided or required by
                  context, Article, Section, Exhibit and Schedule references are
                  to the Credit Document in which such reference appears.

                           (iii)    The term "including" is by way of example
                  and not limitation.

                           (iv)     The term "documents" includes any and all
                  instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices,
                  reports, financial statements and other writings, however
                  evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.

                  (c)      In the computation of periods of time from a
         specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from
         and including"; the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but
         excluding"; and the word "through" means "to and including."

                  (d)      Section headings herein and in the other Credit
         Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not
         affect the interpretation of this Credit Agreement or any other Credit
         Document.

         1.03     ACCOUNTING TERMS.

         (a)      All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined
herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including
financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted
pursuant to this Credit Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP
applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a
manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, except as otherwise specifically
prescribed herein.

         (b)      Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary,
determinations of (i) the applicable pricing level under the definition of
"Applicable Percentage" and (ii) compliance with the financial covenants shall
be made on a Pro Forma Basis.

                                       23

<PAGE>

         (c)      If at any time any material change in GAAP or in the
consistent application thereof would affect the computation of any financial
ratio or requirement set forth in any Credit Document, the Borrower will provide
a written summary thereof with each annual and quarterly Compliance Certificate
delivered in accordance with Section 7.02(a). If either the Borrower or the
Required Lenders shall object in writing to determining compliance based on such
change within sixty days of the delivery of such Compliance Certificate, then
such computations shall continue to be made on a basis consistent with the most
recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b) as to
which no such objection has been made.

         1.04     ROUNDING. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by
the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement shall be calculated by dividing
the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one
place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and
rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if
there is no nearest number).

         1.05     REFERENCES TO AGREEMENTS AND LAWS. Unless otherwise expressly
provided herein, (a) references to Organization Documents, agreements (including
the Credit Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to
include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and
other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments,
restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited
by any Credit Document; and (b) references to any Law shall include all
statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing,
supplementing or interpreting such Law.

         1.06     TIMES OF DAY. Unless otherwise provided, all references herein
to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as
applicable).

         1.07     LETTER OF CREDIT AMOUNTS. Unless otherwise provided, all
references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be
deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving
effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the
Letter of Credit Application therefor, whether or not such maximum face amount
is in effect at such time.

                                   ARTICLE II
                        COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

         2.01     COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein:

         (a)      Revolving Loans. During the Availability Period, each Lender
severally agrees to make revolving credit loans (the "Revolving Loans") to the
Borrower on any Business Day; provided that after giving effect to any such
Revolving Loan, (i) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate
principal amount of Total Outstandings shall not exceed NINETY-FIVE MILLION
DOLLARS ($95,000,000) (as such amount may be increased or decreased in
accordance with the provisions hereof, the "Aggregate Revolving Committed
Amount"), and (ii) with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender's Pro
Rata Share of Total Outstandings shall not exceed its respective Revolving
Committed Amount. Revolving Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar
Rate Loans, or a combination thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be
repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

         (b)      Letters of Credit. During the Availability Period, (i) the L/C
Issuer, in reliance upon the commitments of the Lenders set forth herein, agrees
(A) to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or any member of
the Consolidated Group on any Business Day, (B) to amend or renew Letters

                                       24

<PAGE>

of Credit previously issued hereunder, and (C) to honor drafts under Letters of
Credit; and (ii) the Lenders severally agree to purchase from the L/C Issuer a
participation interest in the Existing Letters of Credit and Letters of Credit
issued hereunder in an amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof;
provided that (A) the aggregate principal amount of L/C Obligations shall not
exceed FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($15,000,000) (as such amount may be decreased in
accordance with the provisions hereof, the "L/C Sublimit"; the L/C Sublimit is
part of, and not in addition to the Aggregate Revolving Commitments), (B) with
regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Total
Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, and (C)
with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender's Pro Rata Share of Total
Outstandings shall not exceed its respective Revolving Committed Amount. Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower's ability to obtain Letters of
Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may obtain Letters
of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn
upon and reimbursed. Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been
issued hereunder and shall be subject to and governed by the terms and
conditions hereof.

         (c)      Swing Line Loans. During the Availability Period, the Swing
Line Lender agrees to make revolving credit loans (the "Swing Line Loans") to
the Borrower on any Business Day; provided that (i) the aggregate principal
amount of Swing Line Loans shall not exceed FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000)
(as such amount may be decreased in accordance with the provisions hereof, the
"Swing Line Sublimit"; the Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition
to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments) and (ii) with respect to the Lenders
collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Total Outstandings shall not
exceed the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount. Swing Line Loans shall be
comprised solely of Base Rate Loans, and may be repaid and reborrowed in
accordance with the provisions hereof. Immediately upon the making of a Swing
Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a participation
interest in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such
Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof.

         (d)      Increase in Revolving Commitments. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may, at any time, upon written notice
to the Administrative Agent, increase the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount
to not more than ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($125,000,000);
provided that:

                  (i)      the Borrower shall obtain commitments for the amount
         of the increase from existing Lenders or other commercial banks or
         financial institutions reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
         Agent, which other commercial banks and financial institutions shall
         join in this Credit Agreement as Lenders by joinder agreement
         substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.01(d) attached hereto or other
         arrangement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent,

                  (ii)     any such increase shall be in a minimum aggregate
         principal amount of $5 million and integral multiples of $1 million in
         excess thereof (or the remaining amount, if less),

                  (iii)    if any Revolving Loans are outstanding at the time of
         any such increase, the Borrower shall make such payments and
         adjustments on the Revolving Loans (including payment of any
         break-funding amounts owing under Section 3.05) as may be necessary to
         give effect to the revised commitment percentages and commitment
         amounts, and

                  (iv)     the conditions to the making of a Revolving Loan set
         forth in Section 5.02 shall be satisfied.

                                       25
<PAGE>

         In connection with any such increase in the Revolving Commitments,
Schedule 2.01 shall be revised to reflect the modified commitments and
commitment percentages of the Lenders, and the Borrower shall provide supporting
corporate resolutions, legal opinions, promissory notes and other items as may
be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in
connection therewith.

         2.02     BORROWINGS, CONVERSIONS AND CONTINUATIONS.

         (a)      Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the
other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the
Borrower's irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by
telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not
later than 11:00 a.m. (i) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, three Business
Days prior to, or (ii) with respect to Base Rate Loans, on the requested date
of, the requested date of any Borrowing, conversion or continuation. Each
telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(b) must be
confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Loan
Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(a), each Borrowing,
conversion or continuation shall be in a principal amount of (i) with respect to
Eurodollar Rate Loans, $2 million or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess
thereof or (ii) with respect to Base Rate Loans, $1 million or a whole multiple
of $250,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written)
shall specify (i) whether such request is for a Borrowing, conversion, or
continuation, (ii) the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or
continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of
Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be
borrowed, converted or continued, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the
Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of
Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice
requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made
as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any automatic conversion to Base Rate
Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in
effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower
requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans
in any Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, the Interest Period
will be deemed to be one month.

         (b)      Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent
shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the
applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is
provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of
the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in the
preceding subsection. In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the
amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately
available funds at the Administrative Agent's Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on
the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of
the applicable conditions set forth in Section 5.02 (and, if such Borrowing is
the initial Credit Extension, Section 5.01), the Administrative Agent shall make
all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the
Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the
books of the Administrative Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire
transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to
(and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower;
provided, however, that if, on the date the Loan Notice with respect to such
Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then
the proceeds of such Borrowing shall be applied, first to the payment in full of
any such L/C Borrowings and second to the Borrower as provided above.

         (c)      Except as otherwise provided herein, without the consent of
the Required Lenders, (i) a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted
only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan and
(ii) any conversion into, or continuation as, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be made
only if the conditions to Credit Extensions in Section 5.02 have been satisfied.
During the existence

                                       26

<PAGE>

of a Default or Event of Default, (i) no Loan may be requested as, converted to
or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and (ii) at the request of the Required
Lenders, any outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be converted immediately to
a Base Rate Loan.

         (d)      The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower
and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for
Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. The
determination of the Eurodollar Rate by the Administrative Agent shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error. At any time that Base Rate Loans
are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the
Lenders of any change in Bank of America's prime rate used in determining the
Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

         (e)      After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of
Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same
Type, there shall not be more than five Interest Periods in effect with respect
to Loans.

         2.03     ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         (a)      Obligation to Issue or Amend.

                  (i)      The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue
         any Letter of Credit if:

                           (A)      the issuance of such Letter of Credit would
                  violate one or more internal policies of the L/C Issuer; or

                           (B)      such Letter of Credit is in an initial
                  amount less than $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter
                  of Credit, or $500,000, in the case of a standby Letter of
                  Credit, or is to be denominated in a currency other than
                  Dollars.

                  (ii)     The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit
         if:

                           (A)      any order, judgment or decree of any
                  Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms
                  purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such
                  Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or
                  any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
                  law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over
                  the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer
                  refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or
                  such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the
                  L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any
                  restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C
                  Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect
                  on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any
                  unreimbursed loss, cost or expense that was not applicable on
                  the Closing Date and that the L/C Issuer in good faith deems
                  material to it;

                           (B)      the expiry date of such requested Letter of
                  Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of
                  issuance or last renewal, unless the Required Lenders have
                  approved such expiry date;

                           (C)      the expiry date of such requested Letter of
                  Credit would occur after the L/C Expiration Date, unless all
                  the Lenders have approved such expiry date;

                           (D)      one or more applicable conditions contained
                  in Article V shall not then be satisfied and the L/C Issuer
                  shall have received written notice thereof from any Lender

                                       27

<PAGE>

                  or any Credit Party at least one Business Day prior to the
                  requested date of issuance of such Letter of Credit; or

                           (E)      the Revolving Commitments have been
                  terminated pursuant to Section 9.02.

                  (iii)    The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend
         any Letter of Credit if:

                           (A)      the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at
                  such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form
                  under the terms hereof; or

                           (B)      the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit
                  does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of
                  Credit.

                  (iv)     The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit
         if:

                           (A)      one or more applicable conditions contained
                  in Article V shall not then be satisfied and the L/C Issuer
                  shall have received written notice thereof from any Lender or
                  any Credit Party at least one Business Day prior to the
                  requested date of amendment of such Letter of Credit; or

                           (B)      the Revolving Commitments have been
                  terminated pursuant to Section 9.02.

         (b)      Procedures for Issuance and Amendment.

                  (i)      Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as
         the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the L/C
         Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a
         Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a
         Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application
         must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not
         later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such shorter
         period as the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in its sole
         discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment,
         as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of
         a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in
         form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed
         issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a
         Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D)
         the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to
         be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F)
         the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in
         case of any drawing thereunder; and (G) such other matters as the L/C
         Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any
         outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall
         specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (1) the
         Letter of Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment
         thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed
         amendment; and (4) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require.

                  (ii)     Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit
         Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent
         (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received
         a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if
         not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy
         thereof. Upon receipt by the L/C Issuer of confirmation from the
         Administrative Agent that the requested issuance or amendment is
         permitted in accordance with the terms hereof, then, subject to the
         terms and conditions hereof,

                                       28

<PAGE>

         the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit
         for the account of the Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment,
         as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer's
         usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance
         of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby
         irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer
         a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the
         product of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such Letter of Credit.

                  (iii)    Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit
         or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect
         thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver
         to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy
         of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

         (c)      Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

                  (i)      Upon any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the L/C
         Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof.
         Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer
         under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an "Honor Date"), the
         Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative
         Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower
         fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative
         Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount
         of the unreimbursed drawing (the "Unreimbursed Amount"), and the amount
         of such Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof. In such event, the Borrower
         shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans (or,
         to the extent the Borrower has given appropriate notice pursuant to
         Section 2.02(a), Eurodollar Rate Loans) to be disbursed on the Honor
         Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to
         the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal
         amount of such Loans, the amount of the unutilized portion of the
         Aggregate Revolving Commitments or the conditions set forth in Section
         5.02. Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent
         pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if
         immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an
         immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding
         effect of such notice.

                  (ii)     Each Lender (including the Lender acting as L/C
         Issuer) shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds
         available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer
         at the Administrative Agent's Office in an amount equal to its Pro Rata
         Share of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the
         Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent,
         whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each
         Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a
         Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount.
         The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C
         Issuer.

                  (iii)    With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not
         fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans for any reason, the
         Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C
         Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so
         refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand
         (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate.
         In such event, each Lender's payment to the Administrative Agent for
         the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be
         deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing
         and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of
         its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.

                                       29

<PAGE>

                  (iv)     Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C
         Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer
         for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of
         such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such amount shall be solely for the
         account of the L/C Issuer.

                  (v)      Each Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans or
         L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under
         Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be
         absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
         circumstance, including (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
         defense or other right that such Lender may have against the L/C
         Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B)
         the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of Default, (C)
         non-compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 5.02, or (D)
         any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any
         of the foregoing. No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or
         otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C
         Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any
         Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

                  (vi)     If any Lender fails to make available to the
         Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount
         required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions
         of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii),
         the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting
         through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest
         thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the
         date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer
         at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time
         in effect. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender
         (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing
         under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

         (d)      Repayment of Participations.

                  (i)      At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment
         under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such
         Lender's L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with
         Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account
         of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed
         Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or
         otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the
         Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such
         Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case
         of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such
         Lender's L/C Advance was outstanding) in the same funds as those
         received by the Administrative Agent.

                  (ii)     If any payment received by the Administrative Agent
         for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is
         required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in
         Section 11.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the
         L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the
         Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Pro Rata
         Share thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest
         thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is
         returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds
         Rate from time to time in effect.

         (e)      Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to
reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to
repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and
shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement
under all circumstances, including the following:

                                       30

<PAGE>

                  (i)      any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter
         of Credit, this Credit Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument
         relating thereto;

                  (ii)     the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off,
         defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against
         any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any
         Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be
         acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with
         this Credit Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such
         Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or
         any unrelated transaction;

                  (iii)    any draft, demand, certificate or other document
         presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,
         invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being
         untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the
         transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a
         drawing under such Letter of Credit;

                  (iv)     any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of
         Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not
         strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment
         made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person
         purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession,
         assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other
         representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of
         such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any
         proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

                  (v)      any other circumstance or happening whatsoever,
         whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other
         circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or
         a discharge of, the Borrower.

         The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and
each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of
noncompliance with the Borrower's instructions or other irregularity, the
Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be
conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its
correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

         (f)      Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that,
in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have
any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft,
certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to
ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the
authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the
L/C Issuer, any Agent-Related Person nor any of the respective correspondents,
participants or assignees of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for
(i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with
the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any
action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or
enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or
Letter of Credit Application. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts
or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any
Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to,
and shall not, preclude the Borrower's pursuing such rights and remedies as it
may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other
agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, any Agent-Related Person, nor any of the
respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the L/C Issuer, shall be
liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through
(v) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C

                                       31

<PAGE>

Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but
only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary,
damages suffered by the Borrower that the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C
Issuer's willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer's willful
failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the
beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the
terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation
of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face
to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of
any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be
responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or
assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights
or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove
to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

         (g)      Cash Collateral. (i) If the L/C Issuer has honored any full or
partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted
in an L/C Borrowing, or (ii) if, as of the L/C Expiration Date, any Letter of
Credit may for any reason remain outstanding and partially or wholly undrawn,
the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of
all L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to such Outstanding Amount determined as
of the date of such L/C Borrowing or the L/C Expiration Date, as the case may
be). For purposes hereof, "Cash Collateralize" means to pledge and deposit with
or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuer and
the Lenders, as collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account
balances pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer (which documents are hereby consented to
by the Lenders). Derivatives of such term have corresponding meanings. The
Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the L/C
Issuer and the Lenders, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts
and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Cash collateral
shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of
America.

         (h)      Designation of other Credit Parties as Account Parties.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, a Letter of Credit
issued hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that such Letter of
Credit is issued for the account of a Credit Party other than the Borrower,
provided that, notwithstanding such statement, the Borrower shall be the actual
account party for all purposes of this Credit Agreement for such Letter of
Credit and such statement shall not affect the Borrower's reimbursement
obligations hereunder with respect to such Letter of Credit.

         (i)      Applicability of ISP98 and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly
agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued
(including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i)
the rules of the "International Standby Practices 1998" published by the
Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof
as may be in effect at the time of issuance) shall apply to each standby Letter
of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for
Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of
Commerce (the "ICC") at the time of issuance (including the ICC decision
published by the Commission on Banking Technique and Practice on April 6, 1998
regarding the European single currency (euro)) shall apply to each commercial
Letter of Credit.

         (j)      Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay Letter of Credit
fees as set forth in Section 2.09.

         (k)      Conflict with Letter of Credit Application. In the event of
any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Letter of Credit
Application, the terms hereof shall control.

         2.04     ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO SWING LINE LOANS.

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<PAGE>

         (a)      Borrowing Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made
upon the Borrower's irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the
Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be
received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than
11:00 a.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to
be borrowed, which shall be a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and integral
multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, (ii) the requested borrowing date,
which shall be a Business Day, and (iii) the maturity requested therefor. Each
such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line
Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Loan Notice, appropriately
completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Promptly after
receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Loan Notice, the Swing Line
Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing)
that the Administrative Agent has also received such Loan Notice and, if not,
the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in
writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received
notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at
the request of any Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing
Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line
Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in this Article II, or (B) that
one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article V is not then
satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line
Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such
Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower by
crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender in
immediately available funds.

         (b)      Refinancing.

                  (i)      The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and
         absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which
         hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on
         its behalf), that each Lender make a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate
         Loan in an amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of Swing Line
         Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which
         written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for purposes
         hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02,
         without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the
         principal amount of Base Rate Loans, the unutilized portion of the
         Aggregate Commitments or the conditions set forth in Section 5.02. The
         Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the
         applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the
         Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Pro
         Rata Share of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the
         Administrative Agent in immediately available funds for the account of
         the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent's Office not later
         than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon,
         subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds
         available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is a Base
         Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent
         shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

                  (ii)     If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be
         refinanced by such a Borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with
         Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Revolving Loans submitted by the
         Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request
         by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk
         participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender's payment
         to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender
         pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of
         such participation.

                  (iii)    If any Lender fails to make available to the
         Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any
         amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing
         provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section
         2.04(c)(i), the Swing

                                       33

<PAGE>

         Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting
         through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest
         thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the
         date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line
         Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to
         time in effect. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any
         Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts
         owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest
         error.

                  (iv)     Each Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans or
         to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant
         to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
         not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any set-off,
         counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender may
         have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person
         for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a
         Default or Event of Default, (C) non-compliance with the conditions set
         forth in Section 5.02, or (D) any other occurrence, event or condition,
         whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. No such purchase or
         funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the
         obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with
         interest as provided herein.

         (c)      Repayment of Participations.

                  (i)      At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded
         a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender
         receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line
         Lender will distribute to such Lender its Pro Rata Share of such
         payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to
         reflect the period of time during which such Lender's risk
         participation was funded) in the same funds as those received by the
         Swing Line Lender.

                  (ii)     If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in
         respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to
         be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances
         described in Section 11.06 (including pursuant to any settlement
         entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender
         shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof on demand
         of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of
         such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum
         equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make
         such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender.

         (d)      Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line
Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing
Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loan or risk participation
pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender's Pro Rata Share of any
Swing Line Loan, interest in respect thereof shall be solely for the account of
the Swing Line Lender.

         (e)      Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall
make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans
directly to the Swing Line Lender.

         2.05     REPAYMENT OF LOANS.

         (a)      Revolving Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on
the Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans
outstanding on such date.

                                       34

<PAGE>

         (b)      Swing Line Loans. The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line
Loan on the earliest to occur of (i) the maturity date agreed to by the Swing
Line Lender for such Swing Line Loan and (ii) the Termination Date.

         2.06     PREPAYMENTS.

         (a)      Voluntary Prepayments.

                  (i)      Revolving Loans. The Loans may be repaid in whole or
         in part without premium or penalty (except, in the case of Loans other
         than Base Rate Loans, amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.05);
         provided that (i) notice thereof must be received by 11:00 a.m. by the
         Administrative Agent (A) at least three Business Days prior to the date
         of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans, and (B) on the Business Day of
         prepayment of Base Rate Loans, and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in
         a minimum principal amount of $2 million and integral multiples of $1
         million in excess thereof, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, and a
         minimum principal amount of $1 million and integral multiples of
         $250,000 in excess thereof, in the case of Base Rate Loans, or, in each
         case, the entire principal amount thereof, if less. Each such notice of
         voluntary repayment hereunder shall be irrevocable and shall specify
         the date and amount of prepayment and the Loans and Types of Loans
         which are to be prepaid. The Administrative Agent will give prompt
         notice to the applicable Lenders of any prepayment on the Loans and the
         Lender's interest therein. Prepayments of Eurodollar Rate Loans
         hereunder shall be accompanied by accrued interest thereon and breakage
         amounts, if any, under Section 3.05.

                  (ii)     Swing Line Loans. The Borrower may, upon notice to
         the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any
         time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole
         or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice
         must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent
         not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment and (B) any such
         prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000. Each
         such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If
         such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such
         prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due
         and payable on the date specified therein.

         (b)      Mandatory Prepayments.

                  (i)      Revolving Commitments. If at any time (A) the
         aggregate principal amount of Total Outstandings shall exceed the
         Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, (B) the aggregate principal
         amount of L/C Obligations shall exceed the L/C Sublimit, (C) the
         aggregate principal amount of Swing Line Loans shall exceed the Swing
         Line Committed Amount, prompt (and in any event within five days)
         prepayment will be made on the Revolving Loans and/or Swing Line Loans
         and/or to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an amount equal to
         such excess; provided, however, that L/C Obligations will not be Cash
         Collateralized hereunder until the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans
         have been paid in full.

                  (ii)     Asset Dispositions and Extraordinary Receipts. The
         Revolving Obligations shall be promptly, and in any event within five
         days, prepaid as hereafter provided in an amount equal to 100% of the
         Net Cash Proceeds received from any Asset Disposition and Extraordinary
         Receipts to the extent (A) such Net Cash Proceeds are not reinvested or
         committed to be reinvested in the same or similar property or assets or
         in Permitted Acquisitions within nine months of the date of such Asset
         Disposition or Extraordinary Receipts, and (B) the aggregate amount of
         such Net Cash Proceeds not reinvested in accordance with clause (A)
         shall exceed $4 million in any fiscal year.

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<PAGE>

                  (iii)    Debt Transactions. The Revolving Obligations shall be
         promptly, and in any event within five days, prepaid as hereafter
         provided in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received
         from any Debt Transaction.

                  (iv)     Equity Transactions. The Revolving Obligations shall
         be promptly, and in any event within five days, prepaid as hereafter
         provided in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received
         from any Equity Transaction (other than up to $125 million in Net Cash
         Proceeds received from the Follow-On Offering).

         (c)      Application. Prepayments shall be applied by the
Administrative Agent to the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective
interests therein. Voluntary prepayments shall be applied to the Obligations as
specified by the Borrower or, if not so specified, first to Base Rate Loans,
then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities and then
to a cash collateral account to secure L/C Obligations. Mandatory prepayments
shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans, then to Eurodollar Rate Loans in
direct order of Interest Period maturities and then to a cash collateral account
to secure L/C Obligations; provided that mandatory prepayments in respect of the
Revolving Commitments under subsection (b)(i) above shall be applied to the
respective Obligations as appropriate.

         2.07     TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS.

         (a)      Voluntary Reductions. The Commitments hereunder may be
permanently reduced in whole or in part by notice from the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent; provided that (i) any such notice thereof must be received
by 11:00 a.m. at least three Business Days prior to the date of reduction or
termination and any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2
million and integral multiples of $250,000 in excess thereof; and (ii) the
Commitments may not be reduced to an amount less than the Total Outstandings.
The Administrative Agent will give prompt notice to the Lenders of any such
reduction in Commitments. Any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be
applied to the Commitment of each Lender according to its Pro Rata Share
thereof. All commitment or other fees accrued until the effective date of any
termination of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of
such termination.

         (b)      Termination of Commitments. The Commitments shall terminate on
the Termination Date.

         2.08     INTEREST.

         (a)      Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each
Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount
thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar
Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Percentage; (ii) each Loan
that is a Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount
thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base
Rate plus the Applicable Percentage; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear
interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable
borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable
Percentage.

         (b)      If any amount payable by the Borrower under any Credit
Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods),
whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall
thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times
equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.
Furthermore, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of
Default, the Borrower shall, upon request of the Required Lenders, pay interest
on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a
fluctuating

                                       36

<PAGE>

interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable Law. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due
amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon
demand.

         (c)      Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on
each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be
specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with
the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the
commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

         2.09     FEES.

         (a)      Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Pro Rata Share, a
commitment fee equal to the Applicable Percentage of the actual daily amount by
which the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount exceeds the sum of (i) the
Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans plus (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C
Obligations. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the
Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the
conditions in Article V is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in
arrears on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September
and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing
Date, and on the Termination Date. The commitment fee shall be calculated
quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Percentage
during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by
the Applicable Percentage separately for each period during such quarter that
such Applicable Percentage was in effect. For purposes hereof, (A) Swing Line
Loans shall not be counted toward or be considered as usage of the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount and (B) L/C Obligations shall be counted toward and
considered as usage of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

         (b)      Letter of Credit Fees.

                  (i)      The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent
         for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Pro Rata Share a
         Letter of Credit fee for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable
         Percentage multiplied by the daily maximum amount available to be drawn
         under such Letter of Credit (whether or not such maximum amount is then
         in effect under such Letter of Credit). Such Letter of Credit fees
         shall be computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such Letter of
         Credit fees shall be due and payable on the first Business Day after
         the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with
         the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of
         Credit, on the L/C Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. If there
         is any change in the Applicable Percentage during any quarter, the
         daily maximum amount of each Letter of Credit shall be computed and
         multiplied by the Applicable Percentage separately for each period
         during such quarter that such Applicable Percentage was in effect.

                  (ii)     Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges
         Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C
         Issuer for its own account a fronting fee (A) with respect to each
         standby Letter of Credit, equal to 1/8 of 1% per annum multiplied by
         the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of
         Credit (whether or not such maximum amount is then in effect under such
         Letter of Credit) payable on the first Business Day after the end of
         each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first
         such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit and on
         the L/C Expiration Date, and (B) with respect to each commercial Letter
         of Credit, equal to 1/8 of 1% on the daily maximum amount available to
         be drawn under such Letter of Credit at the time of issuance. In
         addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own
         account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other
         processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the

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<PAGE>

         L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in
         effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and
         payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

         (c)      Other Fees.

                  (i)      The Borrower shall pay to the Arrangers and the
         Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the
         amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall
         be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason
         whatsoever.

                  (ii)     The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as
         shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at
         the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and
         shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

         2.10     COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES. All computations of interest
for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by Bank of America's "prime
rate" shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may
be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall
be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in
more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis
of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the
Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the
day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is
repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.11(a),
bear interest for one day.

         2.11     PAYMENTS GENERALLY.

         (a)      All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without
condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower
hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent's Office in
Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date
specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each
Lender its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such
payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender's Lending
Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall
be deemed received on the immediately succeeding Business Day and any applicable
interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

         (b)      Subject to the definition of "Interest Period," if any payment
to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day,
payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of
time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

         (c)      Unless the Borrower or any Lender has notified the
Administrative Agent, prior to the date any payment is required to be made by it
to the Administrative Agent hereunder, that the Borrower or such Lender, as the
case may be, will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume
that the Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, has timely made such
payment and may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance thereon, make
available a corresponding amount to the Person entitled thereto. If and to the
extent that such payment was not in fact made to the Administrative Agent in
immediately available funds, then:

                  (i)      if the Borrower failed to make such payment, each
         Lender shall forthwith on demand repay to the Administrative Agent the
         portion of such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender
         in immediately available funds, together with interest thereon in
         respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made
         available by the Administrative

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<PAGE>

         Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the
         Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Federal
         Funds Rate from time to time in effect; and

                  (ii)     if any Lender failed to make such payment, such
         Lender shall forthwith on demand pay to the Administrative Agent the
         amount thereof in immediately available funds, together with interest
         thereon for the period from the date such amount was made available by
         the Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such amount is
         recovered by the Administrative Agent (the "Compensation Period") at a
         rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in
         effect. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent,
         then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan included in the
         applicable Borrowing. If such Lender does not pay such amount forthwith
         upon the Administrative Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative
         Agent may make a demand therefor upon the Borrower, and the Borrower
         shall pay such amount to the Administrative Agent, together with
         interest thereon for the Compensation Period at a rate per annum equal
         to the rate of interest applicable to the applicable Borrowing. Nothing
         herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to
         fulfill its Commitment or to prejudice any rights that the
         Administrative Agent or the Borrower may have against any Lender as a
         result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

         A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with
respect to any amount owing under this subsection (c) shall be conclusive,
absent manifest error.

         (d)      If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent
funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing
provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the
Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable
Credit Extension set forth in Article V are not satisfied or waived in
accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such
funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without
interest.

         (e)      The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to
fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans are several and
not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to fund any such
participation on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender
of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be
responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or purchase
its participation.

         (f)      Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to
obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute
a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for
any Loan in any particular place or manner.

         (g)      If at any time insufficient funds are received by or are
available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C
Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied as
set forth in Section 9.02.

         2.12     SHARING OF PAYMENTS. If, other than as expressly provided
elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain on account of the Loans made by it, or
the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it
(excluding any amounts applied by the Swing Line Lender to outstanding Swing
Line Loans), any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise
of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other
share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify
the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders
such participations in the Loans made by them and/or such subparticipations in
the participations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans held by them, as the
case may be, as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the
excess payment in respect of such Loans or such participations, as

                                       39

<PAGE>

the case may be, pro rata with each of them; provided, however, that if all or
any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing
Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.06 (including
pursuant to any settlement entered into by the purchasing Lender in its
discretion), such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other
Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor,
together with an amount equal to such paying Lender's ratable share (according
to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender's required repayment
to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any
interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of
the total amount so recovered, without further interest thereon. The Borrower
agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 11.09) with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the
Borrower in the amount of such participation. The Administrative Agent will keep
records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error)
of participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the
Lenders following any such purchases or repayments. Each Lender that purchases a
participation pursuant to this Section shall from and after such purchase have
the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other
communications under this Credit Agreement with respect to the portion of the
Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were
the original owner of the Obligations purchased.

         2.13     EVIDENCE OF DEBT.

         (a)      The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced
by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the
Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records
maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive
absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders
to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record
or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the
obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the
Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records
maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative
Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative
Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. The Borrower shall execute
and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Note for each Lender, which shall
evidence such Lender's Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each
Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if
applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

         (b)      In addition to the accounts and records referred to in
subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in
accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases
and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line
Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained
by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in
respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent
shall control in the absence of manifest error.

                                   ARTICLE III
                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

         3.01     TAXES.

         (a)      Any and all payments by the Borrower to or for the account of
the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Credit Document shall be made
free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or

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<PAGE>

similar charges, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the
case of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, taxes imposed on or measured
by its overall net income, and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net
income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under
the Laws of which the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be,
is organized or maintains a lending office (all such non-excluded taxes, duties,
levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges,
and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If the Borrower shall
be required by any Laws to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum
payable under any Credit Document to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (i)
the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all
required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable
under this Section), each of the Administrative Agent and such Lender receives
an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been
made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions, (iii) the Borrower shall pay
the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority
in accordance with applicable Law, and (iv) within thirty days after the date of
such payment, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (which
shall forward the same to such Lender) the original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment thereof.

         (b)      In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or
future stamp, court or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes
or charges or similar levies that arise from any payment made under any Credit
Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or
registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Credit Document (hereinafter
referred to as "Other Taxes").

         (c)      If the Borrower shall be required to deduct or pay any Taxes
or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under any Credit Document
to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, the Borrower shall also pay to the
Administrative Agent or to such Lender, as the case may be, at the time interest
is paid, such additional amount that the Administrative Agent or such Lender
specifies is necessary to preserve the after-tax yield (after factoring in all
taxes, including taxes imposed on or measured by net income) that the
Administrative Agent or such Lender would have received if such Taxes or Other
Taxes had not been imposed.

         (d)      The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and
each Lender for (i) the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including any
Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable
under this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent and such Lender, (ii)
amounts payable under Section 3.01(c) and (iii) any liability (including
additions to tax, penalties, interest and expenses and any costs related to the
defense of a lawsuit or other action, whether brought by a Credit Party or any
other party) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, in each case whether or
not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by
the relevant Governmental Authority.

         3.02     ILLEGALITY. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it
unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful,
for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund
Eurodollar Rate Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the
Eurodollar Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through
the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue
Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Loans that are Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar
Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination
no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand
from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if
applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans,
either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may
lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or
immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such
Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the

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<PAGE>

Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation
will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of
such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

         3.03     INABILITY TO DETERMINE RATES. If the Required Lenders
determine that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect
to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or that the Eurodollar Rate for any
requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does
not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan,
the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender.
Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of
the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the
Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or
continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have
converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Loans that are Base
Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

         3.04     INCREASED COST; CAPITAL ADEQUACY.

         (a)      If any Lender determines that as a result of the introduction
of or any change in or in the interpretation of any Law, or such Lender's
compliance therewith, there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender of
agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans or (as
the case may be) issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or a reduction
in the amount received or receivable by such Lender in connection with any of
the foregoing (excluding for purposes of this subsection (a) any such increased
costs or reduction in amount resulting from (i) Taxes or Other Taxes (as to
which Section 3.01 shall govern), (ii) changes in the basis of taxation of
overall net income or overall gross income by the United States or any foreign
jurisdiction or any political subdivision of either thereof under the Laws of
which such Lender is organized or has its Lending Office, and (iii) reserve
requirements utilized in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate, then from
time to time upon demand of such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the
Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional
amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction.

         (b)      If any Lender determines that the introduction of any Law
regarding capital adequacy or any change therein or in the interpretation
thereof, or compliance by such Lender (or its Lending Office) therewith, has the
effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any
corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of such Lender's
obligations hereunder (taking into consideration its policies with respect to
capital adequacy and such Lender's desired return on capital), then from time to
time upon demand of such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the
Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional
amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction.

         3.05     FUNDING LOSSES. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate
such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense
incurred by it as a result of:

                  (a)      any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment
         of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last
         day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory,
         automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

                  (b)      any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than
         the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue
         or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the
         amount notified by the Borrower; or

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<PAGE>

                  (c)      any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day
         other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of
         a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 11.16;

including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of
funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the
deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any
customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the
foregoing.

         For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the
Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each
Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a
matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market
for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such
Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

         3.06     MATTERS APPLICABLE TO ALL REQUESTS FOR COMPENSATION.

         (a)      A certificate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender
claiming compensation under this Article III and setting forth the additional
amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence
of manifest error. In determining such amount, the Administrative Agent or such
Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods. Payment of
amounts due under this Article III shall be made within thirty days after the
date the Lender or the Administrative Agent makes a demand therefor.

         (b)      Upon any Lender's making of a claim for compensation under
Section 3.01 or 3.04, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with
Section 11.16.

         3.07     SURVIVAL LOSSES. All of the Borrower's obligations under this
Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment
of all other Obligations hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    GUARANTY

         4.01     THE GUARANTY.

         (a)      Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees
to each Lender, each Affiliate of a Lender party to a Swap Contract with a
Credit Party (to the extent permitted hereunder), and the Administrative Agent,
as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt
payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a
mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or
otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby
further agree that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due
(whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a
mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and
severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and
that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the
Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at
extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory
cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such
extension or renewal.

         (b)      Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein
or in any other of the Credit Documents or Swap Contracts, the obligations of
each Guarantor under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be
limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render
such

                                       43

<PAGE>

obligations subject to avoidance under the Debtor Relief Laws or any comparable
provisions of any applicable state law.

         4.02     OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL. The obligations of the Guarantors
under Section 4.01 are joint and several, absolute and unconditional,
irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability
of any of the Credit Documents or Swap Contracts, or any other agreement or
instrument referred to therein, or any substitution, release, impairment or
exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, irrespective of any other
circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable
discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this
Section 4.02 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute
and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that
such Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or
contribution against the Borrower or any other Guarantor for amounts paid under
this Article IV until such time as the Obligations have been irrevocably paid in
full and the Commitments have expired or terminated. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or
impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and
unconditional as described above:

                  (a)      at any time or from time to time, without notice to
         any Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any
         of the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance
         shall be waived;

                  (b)      any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of
         any of the Credit Documents, any Swap Contract between any Credit Party
         and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any other agreement or
         instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such Swap Contracts
         shall be done or omitted;

                  (c)      the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be
         accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented
         or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Credit
         Documents, any Swap Contract between any Credit Party and any Lender,
         or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any other agreement or instrument
         referred to in the Credit Documents or such Swap Contracts shall be
         waived or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security
         therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part
         or otherwise dealt with;

                  (d)      any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the
         Administrative Agent or any Lender or Lenders as security for any of
         the Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or

                  (e)      any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void
         or voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any
         creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of
         any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor of any
         Guarantor).

         With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby
expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all
notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any
Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under
any of the Credit Documents, any Swap Contract between any Credit Party and any
Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any other agreement or instrument
referred to in the Credit Documents or such Swap Contracts, or against any other
Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.

         4.03     REINSTATEMENT. The obligations of the Guarantors under this
Article IV shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any
reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations
is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the
Obligations,

                                       44

<PAGE>

whether as a result of any proceedings pursuant to any Debtor Relief Law or
otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative
Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including
Attorney Costs) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in
connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and
expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment
constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any
Debtor Relief Law.

         4.04     CERTAIN WAIVERS. Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor
shall have no right of recourse to security for the Obligations, except through
the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 4.02 and through the
exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 4.06. Each Guarantor
further expressly waives any right to require that any action be brought against
the Borrower or any other Credit Party or to require recourse to security.

         4.05     REMEDIES. The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Obligations may be
declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 10.02 (and shall
be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances
provided in said Section 10.02) for purposes of Section 4.01 notwithstanding any
stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing
the Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any
other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Obligations
being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Obligations
(whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due
and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 4.01.

         4.06     RIGHTS OF CONTRIBUTION. The Guarantors hereby agree as among
themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each Guarantor
shall have a right of contributions from each other Guarantor in accordance with
applicable Law. Such contribution rights shall be subordinate and subject in
right of payment to the Obligations until such time as the Obligations have been
irrevocably paid in full and the Commitments have expired or terminated, and
none of the Guarantors shall exercise any such contribution rights until the
Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full and the Commitments have expired
or terminated.

         4.07     GUARANTY OF PAYMENT; CONTINUING GUARANTY. The guarantee in
this Article IV is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing
guarantee, and shall apply to all Obligations whenever arising.

                                    ARTICLE V
                    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

         5.01     CONDITIONS OF INITIAL CREDIT EXTENSIONS. The obligation of
each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a)      Credit Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
         of counterparts of the following, each dated as of the Closing Date and
         in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
         Agent and the Lenders: (i) this Credit Agreement, duly executed by a
         Responsible Officer of each Credit Party, the Lenders and the
         Administrative Agent, (ii) a Note duly executed by the Borrower in
         favor of each Lender and (iii) each of the Collateral Documents, duly
         executed by a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party and the
         Collateral Agent.

                                       45

<PAGE>

                  (b)      Organization Documents, Etc. Receipt by the
         Administrative Agent of the following, each in form and substance
         reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

                           (i)      a duly executed certificate of a Responsible
                  Officer of each Credit Party, dated as of the Closing Date,
                  attaching each of the following documents and certifying that
                  each is true and complete and in full force and effect as of
                  the Closing Date:

                                    (A)      copies of the articles or
                           certificate of organization or formation of such
                           Credit Party, certified to be true and complete as of
                           a recent date by the appropriate Governmental
                           Authority of the state or other jurisdiction of its
                           organization,

                                    (B)      copies of the bylaws, operating
                           agreement or partnership agreement of such Credit
                           Party,

                                    (C)      copies of the resolutions of such
                           Credit Party approving and adopting the Credit
                           Documents to which it is party, the transactions
                           contemplated therein, and authorizing the execution
                           and delivery thereof, and

                                    (D)      incumbency certificates identifying
                           each Responsible Officer of such Credit Party that is
                           authorized to execute Credit Documents and to act on
                           such Credit Party's behalf in connection with the
                           Credit Documents;

                           (ii)     a duly executed certificate of a Responsible
                  Officer with respect to each HMO Subsidiary of any Credit
                  Party, dated as of the Closing Date, attaching each of the
                  following documents and certifying that each is true and
                  complete and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date:

                                    (A)      copies of the articles or
                           certificate of organization or formation of such HMO
                           Subsidiary, certified to be true and complete as of a
                           recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority
                           of the state or other jurisdiction of its
                           organization, and

                                    (B)      copies of the bylaws, operating
                           agreement or partnership agreement of such HMO
                           Subsidiary; and

                           (iii)    certificates of good standing (or the
                  equivalent) of each Credit Party and each of their HMO
                  Subsidiaries, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate
                  Governmental Authorities, from each jurisdiction where failure
                  to be in good standing could reasonably be expected to have a
                  Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c)      Opinions of Counsel. Receipt by the Administrative
         Agent of legal opinions of counsel to the Credit Parties, dated as of
         the Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
         the Administrative Agent.

                  (d)      Personal Property Collateral. Receipt by the
         Administrative Agent of the following, each in form and substance
         reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

                           (i)      searches of Uniform Commercial Code filings
                  in the jurisdiction of the chief executive office of each
                  Credit Party and each jurisdiction where any Collateral is
                  located or where a filing would need to be made in order to
                  perfect the Administrative

                                       46

<PAGE>

                  Agent's security interest in the Collateral, copies of the
                  financing statements on file in such jurisdictions and
                  evidence that no Liens exist other than Permitted Liens;

                           (ii)     completed UCC financing statements for each
                  appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the
                  Administrative Agent's discretion, to perfect the
                  Administrative Agent's security interest in the Collateral;

                           (iii)    all certificates evidencing any certificated
                  Capital Stock pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
                  the Pledge Agreement, together with duly executed in blank,
                  undated stock powers with respect thereto;

                           (iv)     duly executed notices of grant of security
                  interest in the form required by the Security Agreement as are
                  necessary, in the Administrative Agent's discretion, to
                  perfect the Administrative Agent's security interest in the
                  Collateral (including patent, trademark and copyright notices
                  and filings);

                           (v)      all instruments and chattel paper in the
                  possession of any of the Credit Parties, together with
                  allonges or assignments as are necessary, in the
                  Administrative Agent's discretion, to perfect the
                  Administrative Agent's security interest in the Collateral;

                           (vi)     duly executed consents as are necessary, in
                  the Administrative Agent's discretion, to perfect the
                  Administrative Agent's security interest in the Collateral;

                  (e)      Evidence of Insurance. Receipt by the Administrative
         Agent of copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of
         the Consolidated Group evidencing liability, flood hazard and casualty
         insurance meeting the requirements set forth in the Credit Documents,
         including naming the Administrative Agent as additional insured (in the
         case of liability insurance) or loss payee (in the case of and casualty
         insurance) on behalf of the Lenders.

                  (f)      Financial Statements. Receipt by the Administrative
         Agent of the following, each in form and substance reasonably
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

                           (i)      consolidated financial statements of the
                  Consolidated Group (A) for the fiscal year ending December 31,
                  2002 (including balance sheets and statements of income or
                  operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows), audited by
                  independent public accountants of recognized national
                  standing, together with any management letters in connection
                  therewith and (B) for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2003,
                  and

                           (ii)     a certificate of a Responsible Officer of
                  the Borrower certifying that (A) the financial statements of
                  the Consolidated Group delivered hereunder (1) were prepared
                  in accordance with GAAP (or, as applicable with respect to HMO
                  Subsidiaries, SAP) consistently applied throughout the period
                  covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein
                  and (2) are complete and correct in all material respects and
                  fairly present the financial condition (including disclosure
                  of all material liabilities, contingent or otherwise) and
                  results from operations of the entities and for the periods
                  specified, subject in the case of interim company-prepared
                  statements to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of
                  footnotes and (B) there has been no event or circumstance
                  since December 31, 2002 that has had or could reasonably be
                  expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a
                  Material Adverse Effect.

                                       47

<PAGE>

                  (g)      Officer's Certificates. Receipt by the Administrative
         Agent of a certificate or certificates executed by a Responsible
         Officer of the Borrower as of the Closing Date, each in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying the
         following:

                           (i)      there has been no event or circumstance
                  since December 31, 2002 that has had or could reasonably be
                  expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a
                  Material Adverse Effect,

                           (ii)     no consents, licenses or approvals are
                  required in connection with the execution, delivery and
                  performance by the Credit Parties of the Credit Documents,
                  other than such consents, licenses and approvals that are in
                  full force and effect and, to the extent requested by the
                  Administrative Agent, are attached to such certificate, and
                  that, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, all waiting
                  periods shall have expired without any action being taken by
                  any Person that could result in a Material Adverse Effect,

                           (iii)    no action, suit, investigation or proceeding
                  is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower,
                  threatened in writing in any court or before an arbitrator or
                  Governmental Authority that would reasonably be expected (A)
                  to have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) to materially and
                  adversely affect the Credit Documents or any of the
                  transactions contemplated thereunder, and

                           (iv)     no order, decree, judgment, ruling or
                  injunction exists that would reasonably be expected to
                  restrain the consummation of any of the Credit Documents or
                  the transactions contemplated thereunder.

                  (h)      Outstanding Indebtedness. Receipt by the
         Administrative Agent of evidence of all intercompany Indebtedness,
         which shall be in amounts and on terms and conditions satisfactory to
         the Administrative Agent.

                  (i)      Other. Receipt by the Lenders of such other
         documents, instruments, agreements or information as reasonably
         requested by any Lender.

                  (j)      Fees and Expenses. Receipt of payment of all fees and
         expenses (including Attorney Costs) required to be paid on or before
         the Closing Date.

         5.02     CONDITIONS TO ALL CREDIT EXTENSIONS. The obligation of each
Lender to make any Credit Extension (including requests for conversions or
continuations) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

                  (a)      The representations and warranties of the Borrower
         and each other Credit Party contained in Article VI or any other Credit
         Document, or that are contained in any document furnished at any time
         under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and
         complete in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit
         Extension, except to the extent that such representations and
         warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they
         shall be true and complete in all material respects as of such earlier
         date.

                  (b)      No Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would
         result from such proposed Credit Extension (unless such Default or
         Event of Default shall have been waived pursuant to Section 11.01).

                                       48

<PAGE>

                  (c)      The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C
         Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for
         Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

         Each Request for Credit Extension (including requests for conversions
or continuations) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Borrower that the conditions specified in
Sections 5.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the
applicable Credit Extension.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Credit Parties represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders that:

         6.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 7.01 have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (or, as
applicable with respect to HMO Subsidiaries, SAP) consistently applied
throughout the periods covered thereby, are complete and correct in all material
respects and present fairly the financial condition (including disclosure of all
material liabilities, contingent or otherwise) and results from operations of
the entities and for the periods specified, subject in the case of interim
company-prepared statements to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of
footnotes.

         6.02     NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Since the date of the audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002, there has
been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has
had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.03     EXISTENCE, QUALIFICATION AND POWER. Each Credit Party (a) is a
corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized or formed,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all
requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i)
own its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform
its obligations under the Credit Documents to which it is a party, (c) is duly
qualified and is licensed and in good standing under the Laws of each
jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the
conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each
case referred to in clause (b)(i) and (c), to the extent that failure to do so
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.04     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Each member of the Consolidated Group is
in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Medical
Reimbursement Programs and all Laws (including all HMO Regulations, Medicare
Regulations and Medicaid Regulations) and all orders, writs, injunctions,
settlements or other agreements with any Governmental Authority and decrees
applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a)
such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure
to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
with respect to each member of the Consolidated Group:

                  (i)      there is (A) no member of the Consolidated Group or
         individual employed by any member of the Consolidated Group that would
         reasonably be expected to have criminal culpability or to be excluded
         from participation in any Medical Reimbursement Program for corporate
         or individual actions or failures to act where such culpability or
         exclusion has resulted

                                       49

<PAGE>

         or could reasonably be expected to result in an Exclusion Event; and
         (B) no officer continuing to be employed by the Consolidated Group who
         may reasonably be expected to have individual culpability for matters
         under investigation by the OIG or other Governmental Authority unless
         such officer has been, within a reasonable period of time after
         discovery of such actual or potential culpability, either suspended or
         removed from positions of responsibility related to those activities
         under challenge by the OIG or other Governmental Authority;

                  (ii)     current billing policies, arrangements, protocols and
         instructions comply with requirements of Medical Reimbursement Programs
         and are administered by properly trained personnel, except where any
         such failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in an
         Exclusion Event; and

                  (iii)    current medical director compensation arrangements
         comply with state and federal anti-kick back, fraud and abuse, and
         Stark I and II requirements, except where any such failure to comply
         would not reasonably be expected to result in an Exclusion Event.

         6.05     AUTHORIZATION; NO CONTRAVENTION. The execution, delivery and
performance by each Credit Party of each Credit Document to which such Person is
party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other
organizational action, and do not (a) contravene the terms of any of such
Person's Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or
contravention of, or the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens)
under, (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or (ii)
any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any
arbitral award to which such Person or its Property is subject; or (c) violate
any Law applicable to such Person or its Property.

         6.06     GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION; OTHER CONSENTS. No approval,
consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing
with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in
connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement
against, any Credit Party of this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document
(except (a) as have already been obtained, (b) such filings as are necessary in
connection with the perfection of the Liens created by such Credit Documents and
(c) with respect to the exercise of the rights and remedies under the Pledge
Agreement, applicable regulatory requirements).

         6.07     BINDING EFFECT. This Credit Agreement and each other Credit
Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party that is party
thereto. This Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents constitute legal,
valid and binding obligations of such Credit Party, enforceable against such
Credit Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be
limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is
sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

         6.08     LITIGATION. There are no actions, suits, investigations,
criminal prosecutions, civil investigative demands, imposition of criminal or
civil fines or penalties, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the
knowledge of the Credit Parties after due and diligent investigation,
threatened, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental
Authority, by or against the any member of the Consolidated Group or against any
of their properties or revenues, that (a) relates to the Credit Documents or any
of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on Schedule 6.08 is a
summary of all actions, suits, investigations, criminal prosecutions, civil
investigative demands, imposition of criminal or civil fines or penalties,
proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Credit
Parties after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at
law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or
against the any member of the Consolidated Group or against any of their
properties or

                                       50

<PAGE>

revenues, and none of such actions, individually or in the aggregate, would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.09     NO DEFAULT. No member of the Consolidated Group is in default
under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that, either individually or
in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would
result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document.

         6.10     OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY; LIENS. Each member of the Consolidated
Group (a) has good record and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest
in, all material real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its
business, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other
material property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien, except for
Permitted Liens, and (b) has obtained all material licenses, permits, franchises
or other certifications, consents, approvals and authorizations, governmental or
private, necessary to the ownership of its Property and to the conduct of its
business.

         6.11     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Each member of the Consolidated Group
owns, or has the legal right to use, all United States trademarks, tradenames,
copyrights, patents, technology, know-how and processes, if any, necessary for
each of them to conduct its business as currently conducted (the "Intellectual
Property") except for those the failure to own or have such legal right to use
would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on
Schedule 6.11 is a list of all patents, patent applications, trademarks,
trademark applications and registered copyrights owned or used by any member of
the Consolidated Group. No claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person
challenging or questioning the use by any member of the Consolidated Group of
any of its Intellectual Property or the validity or enforceability of any such
Intellectual Property, nor does any Credit Party know of any such threatened
claim, and to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, the use of such
Intellectual Property by the members of the Consolidated Group does not infringe
on the rights of any Person, except for such claims and infringements that, in
the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         6.12     NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS. No applicable Law or Contractual
Obligation of the members of the Consolidated Group would be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.13     TAXES. Each member of the Consolidated Group has filed or
caused to be filed all federal and state and all other material tax returns and
reports required to be filed, and have paid (a) all amounts shown therein to be
due (including interest and penalties) and (b) all other taxes, fees,
assessments and other governmental charges (including mortgage recording taxes,
documentary stamp taxes and intangibles taxes) owing, except for such taxes that
are not yet delinquent or as are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves determined in
accordance with GAAP have been established, unless the failure to make any such
payment could give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on a Lien securing
such amounts. No tax claim or assessment has been asserted against members of
the Consolidated Group that would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         6.14     ERISA COMPLIANCE.

         (a)      Except to the extent it would not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) each Plan is in compliance in all
material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue
Code and other federal or state Laws, (ii) each Plan that is intended to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS or an application for such a letter is
currently pending before the IRS with respect thereto and, to the best knowledge
of the Borrower, nothing has occurred that would prevent, or cause the loss of,
such qualification and (iii) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have made all
required contributions to

                                       51

<PAGE>

each Plan subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, and no
application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period
pursuant to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code has been made with respect
to any Plan.

         (b)      There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental
Authority, with respect to any Plan that could be reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation
of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted
or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c)      (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to
occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) neither
the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to
incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan
(other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv)
neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects
to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred that, with the giving of
notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under
Sections 4201 or 4203 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v)
neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that
could reasonably be expected to be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

         6.15     MARGIN REGULATIONS; PUHCA; INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT; REPORTABLE
TRANSACTIONS.

         (a)      The Credit Parties are not engaged and will not engage,
principally or as one of their important activities, in the business of
purchasing or carrying "margin stock" (within the meaning of Regulation U issued
by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or
drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the
assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Consolidated Group on a
consolidated basis) will be margin stock.

         (b)      None of the Credit Parties, any Person Controlling a Credit
Party, or any Subsidiary (i) is a "holding company," or a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company," within the meaning of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, or (ii) is or is required to be registered
as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

         (c)      The Credit Parties do not intend to treat any of the Loans,
the Letters of Credit or any related transaction as a "reportable transaction"
(within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4). In the event a
Credit Party determines that it will take any action inconsistent with such
intention, it will promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof. If a Credit
Party so notifies the Administrative Agent, any Lender may treat its Loans (and
its participation interests in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans) as
subject to Treasury Regulation Section 301.6112-1, and such Lender will maintain
any lists and other records required thereby.

         6.16     SUBSIDIARIES. Set forth on Schedule 6.16, with respect to each
Credit Party, is the jurisdiction of organization, classes of Capital Stock
(including options, warrants, rights of subscription, conversion,
exchangeability and other similar rights), and ownership and ownership
percentages of each Subsidiary of such Credit Party. The outstanding shares of
Capital Stock have been validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and
owned free of Liens other than Permitted Liens. The outstanding shares of
Capital Stock are not subject to any buy-sell, voting trust or other shareholder
agreement except as identified on Schedule 6.16. Schedule 6.16 identifies (a)
each HMO Subsidiary and (b) each Subsidiary,

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if any, that owns no assets. The Credit Parties have no Subsidiaries other than
those specifically disclosed in Schedule 6.16.

         6.17     PURPOSE OF CREDIT EXTENSIONS. The Credit Extensions will be
used by the Borrower solely for the purposes set forth in Section 7.12.

         6.18     ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. The Consolidated Group conducts in
the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental
Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of
any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties,
and as a result thereof the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such
Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.19     DISCLOSURE; NO MATERIAL MISTATEMENTS. None of the information,
reports, financial statements, exhibits or schedules, taken as a whole,
furnished by or on behalf of any member of the Consolidated Group to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of the
Credit Documents or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto contained,
contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or omitted, omits or
will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were, are or will be made, not
materially misleading, provided that to the extent any such information, report,
financial statement, exhibit or schedule was based upon or constitutes a
forecast or projection, each of the Credit Parties represents only that it acted
in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the
preparation of such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or
schedule, it being understood that forecasts and projections are subject to
significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Credit
Parties' control, and no assurance can be given that any forecasts or
projections will be realized.

         6.20     LABOR MATTERS. Except as would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect:

                  (a)      There are no strikes or lockouts against any members
         of the Consolidated Group pending or, to the best knowledge of the
         Credit Parties, threatened;

                  (b)      The hours worked by and payments made to employees of
         the Consolidated Group have not been in violation of the Fair Labor
         Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign
         law dealing with such matters in any case where a Material Adverse
         Effect would reasonably be expected to occur as a result of the
         violation thereof;

                  (c)      All payments due from members of the Consolidated
         Group, or for which any claim may be made against a member of the
         Consolidated Group, on account of wages and employee health and welfare
         insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability
         on the books of the respective members of the Consolidated Group; and

                  (d)      None of the members of the Consolidated Group is
         party to a collective bargaining agreement.

Set forth on Schedule 6.20 is a summary of all labor matters pending or, to the
best knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened by or against the members of
the Consolidated Group. None of such labor matters, individually or in the
aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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         6.21     INSURANCE. The properties of the Consolidated Group are
insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates
of the Credit Parties, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such
risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and
owning similar properties in localities where the applicable member of the
Consolidated Group operates; provided that the Consolidated Group may
self-insure in accordance with normal industry practice.

         6.22     COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS.

         (a)      Security Agreement. The Security Agreement is effective to
create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders
of the Secured Obligations identified therein, a legal, valid and enforceable
security interest in the Collateral identified therein owned by the Credit
Parties and:

                  (i)      with respect to all such Collateral that may be
         perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement
         under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, when financing
         statements in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate offices for
         the locations specified in the schedules to the Security Agreement, and

                  (ii)     with respect to all such Collateral that is
         Intellectual Property, when notices of the grants of security interests
         in such Collateral in appropriate form are duly recorded in the United
         States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright
         Office, as appropriate,

then the Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and
security interest in, all right, title and interest of the grantors thereunder
in the Collateral identified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, except to the extent
the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by equitable principles of law
(regardless of whether enforcement is ought in equity or at law), in each case
prior and superior in right to any other Lien other than Permitted Liens.

         (b)      Pledge Agreement. The Pledge Agreement is effective to create
in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the
Secured Obligations identified therein, a legal, valid and enforceable security
interest in the Collateral identified therein and, when such Collateral is
delivered to the Collateral Agent, the Pledge Agreement shall constitute a fully
perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and
interest of the pledgors thereunder in such Collateral, except to the extent the
enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and by equitable principles of law (regardless of
whether enforcement is ought in equity or at law), in each case prior and
superior in right to any other Lien.

         6.23     LOCATION OF PROPERTY. Set forth on Schedule 6.23(a) is a
complete and correct list of all real property located in the United States that
is owned or leased by any member of the Consolidated Group, including the
complete street address. Set forth on Schedule 6.23(b) is a complete and correct
list of all locations where any tangible personal property of any member of the
Consolidated Group is located, including the complete street address. Set forth
on Schedule 6.23(c) is the chief executive office and principal place of
business of each member of the Consolidated Group.

         6.24     FRAUD AND ABUSE. To the knowledge of the Responsible Officers
of the Credit Parties, no member of the Consolidated Group or any of their
respective officers, directors or Contract Providers have engaged in any
activities that are prohibited under any applicable provision of the Social
Security Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, including HIPAA,
Medicare Regulations, Medicaid Regulations or binding rules of professional
conduct.

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         6.25     LICENSING AND ACCREDITATION.

         (a)      Except to the extent it would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, each member of the Consolidated Group and, to
the knowledge of the Credit Parties, each Contract Provider, to the extent
applicable: (i) has obtained (or been duly assigned) all required certificates
of need or determinations of need as required by the relevant state Governmental
Authority for the acquisition, construction, expansion of, investment in or
operation of its businesses as currently operated; (ii) has obtained and
maintains in good standing all required licenses; (iii) to the extent prudent
and customary in the industry in which it is engaged, has obtained and maintains
accreditation from all generally recognized accrediting agencies; (iv) has
entered into and maintains in good standing its status as a Medicare provider or
supplier and as a Medicaid provider or supplier; (v) has complied with the terms
of all Medical Reimbursement Program Provider Agreements to which it is a party;
(vi) has implemented and maintains a compliance program designed to provide
effective internal controls to promote adherence to, and to prevent and detect
material violations of, any applicable HMO Regulations, Medicaid Regulations and
Medicare Regulations; and (vii) has implemented and maintains policies
consistent with HIPAA on or before the date that any provision thereof becomes
applicable to any member of the Consolidated Group. To the knowledge of the
Credit Parties, each Contract Provider is duly licensed by each state, state
agency, commission or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the
provisions of such services by such Person in the locations where the members of
the Consolidated Group conduct business, to the extent such licensing is
required to enable such Person to provide the professional services provided by
such Person and otherwise as is necessary to enable the Consolidated Group to
operate as currently operated and as contemplated to be operated. To the
knowledge of the Credit Parties, all such required licenses are in full force
and effect on the date hereof and have not been revoked or suspended or
otherwise limited.

         (b)      The accounts receivable of each Credit Party have been
adjusted to reflect, in all material respects, the reimbursement policies (both
those most recently published in writing as well as those not in writing that
have been verbally communicated to such Credit Party) of any Medical
Reimbursement Program applicable to such Credit Party. In particular, such
accounts receivable do not and shall not exceed amounts any obligee is entitled
to receive under any capitation arrangement, fee schedule, discount formula,
cost-based reimbursement or other adjustment or limitation to its usual charges.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Until the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise
satisfied, and the Commitments hereunder shall have expired or been terminated,
the Credit Parties will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to:

         7.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Deliver to the Administrative Agent and
each Lender, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and the Required Lenders:

                  (a)      Annual Financial Statements.

                           (i)      Within five days of the required date for
                  delivery to the SEC after the end of each fiscal year of the
                  Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated
                  Group as of the end of such fiscal year, together with related
                  consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and
                  cash flows for such fiscal year, in each case setting forth in
                  comparative form consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal
                  year, all such financial information described above to be in
                  reasonable form and detail and audited by independent

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<PAGE>

                  certified public accountants of recognized national standing
                  reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and whose
                  opinion shall be to the effect that such financial statements
                  have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for changes
                  with which such accountants concur) and shall not be limited
                  as to the scope of the audit or qualified as to the status of
                  the Consolidated Group as a going concern or any other
                  material qualifications or exceptions, and

                           (ii)     within five days of the required date for
                  delivery to the applicable state after the end of each fiscal
                  year of the Borrower, with respect to each HMO Subsidiary,
                  annual financial statements prepared in accordance with SAP.

                  (b)      Quarterly Financial Statements.

                           (i)      Within five days of the required date for
                  delivery to the SEC after the end of each fiscal quarter of
                  the Borrower (other than the fourth fiscal quarter, in which
                  case within the time for delivery of annual financial
                  statements as set forth in subsection (a), a consolidated
                  balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as of the end of such
                  fiscal quarter, together with related consolidated statements
                  of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for such fiscal
                  quarter, in each case setting forth in comparative form
                  consolidated figures for the corresponding period of the
                  preceding fiscal year, all such financial information
                  described above to be in reasonable form and detail and
                  reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and
                  accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the
                  Borrower to the effect that such quarterly financial
                  statements fairly present in all material respects the
                  financial condition of the Consolidated Group and have been
                  prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting
                  from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments, and

                           (ii)     within five days of the required date for
                  delivery to the applicable state after the end of each fiscal
                  quarter of the Borrower (other than the fourth fiscal quarter,
                  in which case within the time for delivery of annual financial
                  statements as set forth in subsection (a), with respect to
                  each HMO Subsidiary, quarterly financial statements prepared
                  in accordance with SAP.

         7.02     CERTIFICATES; OTHER INFORMATION. Deliver to the Administrative
Agent and each Lender, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

                  (a)      concurrently with the delivery of the financial
         statements referred to in Sections 7.01(a) and (b), a duly completed
         Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower
         (i) setting forth computations in reasonable detail satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent demonstrating compliance with the financial
         covenants contained herein, (ii) certifying that no Default or Event of
         Default exists as of the date thereof (or the nature and extent thereof
         and proposed actions with respect thereto) and (iii) including, to the
         extent required by Section 1.03(c), a summary of all material changes
         in GAAP and in the consistent application thereof, the effect on the
         financial covenants resulting therefrom, and a reconciliation between
         calculation of the financial covenants (and determination of the
         applicable pricing level under the definition of "Applicable
         Percentage") before and after giving effect to such changes;

                  (b)      concurrently with the delivery of the quarterly
         financial statements referred to in Section 7.01(b), written
         notification of Investments during such fiscal quarter by any member of
         the Consolidated Group in any HMO Subsidiary that, individually or in
         the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Borrower, exceed 10% of the
         Company Action Level or the relevant state's risk-

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<PAGE>

         based capital threshold, as applicable, (in each case as determined in
         accordance with SAP at the immediately preceding fiscal-year-end
         determination thereof) of such HMO Subsidiary; provided that, to the
         extent such Investments, individually or in the aggregate, materially
         deviate from the business plan and budget delivered pursuant to Section
         7.02(d), written notification of such Investments shall be provided not
         later than fifteen days following the end of the calendar month during
         which such Investments are made;

                  (c)      concurrently with the delivery of the quarterly
         financial statements referred to in Section 7.01(b), evidence of any
         requirement by an HMO Regulator for any member of the Consolidated
         Group to make a Required Advance in excess of $100,000;

                  (d)      within sixty days following the end of each fiscal
         year of the Borrower, an annual business plan and budget of the members
         of the Consolidated Group containing, among other things, summary pro
         forma financial information for the next fiscal year with respect to
         each calendar month thereof;

                  (e)      within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of
         the Borrower, a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail the
         reinsurance arrangements maintained by each of the HMO Subsidiaries of
         the Borrower as of the end of such fiscal year (with any changes
         subsequent to the end of such fiscal year described therein);

                  (f)      promptly after any request by the Administrative
         Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management
         letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the
         audit committee of the board of directors) of the Borrower by
         independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;

                  (g)      promptly after the same are available, copies of each
         annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or
         communication sent to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of
         all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration
         statements that the Borrower may file or be required to file with the
         SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
         and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent
         pursuant hereto;

                  (h)      promptly after any Credit Party has notified the
         Administrative Agent of its intention to treat any of the Loans, the
         Letters of Credit or any related transaction as a "reportable
         transaction" (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
         1.6011-4), a duly completed copy of IRS Form 8886 or any successor form
         thereto; and

                  (i)      promptly, such additional information regarding the
         business, financial or corporate affairs of any Credit Party or any
         Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or compliance with the terms of the
         Credit Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from
         time to time reasonably request.

         Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b)
or Section 7.02(g) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials
otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so
delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the
Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower's
website on the internet at the website address listed on Schedule 11.02; or (ii)
on which such documents are posted on the Borrower's behalf on
IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender
and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party
website or whether

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sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (A) the Borrower shall
deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender
that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request
to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such
Lender and (B) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or
electronic mail) the Administrative Agent and each Lender of the posting of any
such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail
electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to
provide paper copies of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 7.02(a)
to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders. Except for such Compliance
Certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the
delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any
event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with
any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for
requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

         7.03     NOTIFICATION.  Promptly notify the Administrative Agent:

                  (a)      of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

                  (b)      of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably
         be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i)
         breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual
         Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute,
         litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the
         commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or
         proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant
         to any applicable Environmental Laws;

                  (c)      of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;

                  (d)      of any material change in accounting policies or
         financial reporting practices by the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

                  (e)      of any litigation, investigation or proceeding
         affecting any Credit Party in which the amount involved or relief
         sought would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (f)      of the institution of any investigation or proceeding
         against such Person (or, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, any
         Contract Provider) to suspend, revoke or terminate (or that may result
         in the termination of) its status as a Medicaid provider or supplier or
         its status as a Medicare provider or supplier or its participation in a
         Medical Reimbursement Program, or any such investigation or proceeding
         that may result in an Exclusion Event;

                  (g)      of its receipt of any notice of intent to exclude,
         any notice of proposal to exclude issued by the OIG or any other
         Exclusion Event (together with a copy of any such notice);

                  (h)      of its receipt of any notice of loss or threatened
         loss of accreditation, loss of participation under any reimbursement
         program or loss of applicable health care license or certificate of
         authority of any HMO Subsidiary, and any other material deficiency
         notices, compliance orders or adverse reports issued by any HMO
         Regulator or other Governmental Authority or private insurance company
         pursuant to a provider agreement that, if not promptly complied with or
         cured, could result in the suspension or forfeiture of any license,
         certification, or accreditation necessary for such HMO Subsidiary to
         carry on its business as then conducted or

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<PAGE>

         the termination of any insurance or reimbursement program available to
         any HMO Subsidiary (in each case together with a copy of any such
         notice);

                  (i)      of its receipt of any correspondence from an HMO
         Regulator asserting that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is not
         in compliance in all material respects with HMO Regulations or
         threatening action against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         under the HMO Regulations (together with a copy of such
         correspondence); or

                  (j)      of the occurrence of any HMO Event upon any
         Responsible Officer of the Borrower becoming aware thereof.

         Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a
statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the
occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken
and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section
7.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Credit
Agreement and any other Credit Document that have been breached.

         7.04     PRESERVATION OF EXISTENCE; LICENSING.

         (a)      Continue to engage in business of the same general type as
conducted by it on the date hereof and similar or related businesses (including,
without limitation, pharmacy benefit management companies and related
businesses), and except as a result of or in connection with a transaction
permitted pursuant to Section 8.04 or 8.05, preserve, renew and keep in full
force and effect its corporate existence and take all reasonable action to
maintain all rights, privileges, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable
in the normal conduct of its business.

         (b)      Preserve and maintain (i) the licensing and certification of
each HMO Subsidiary pursuant to the HMO Regulations, (ii) all certifications and
authorizations necessary to ensure that the HMO Subsidiaries are eligible for
all reimbursements available under the HMO Regulations to the extent applicable
and (iii) all licenses, permits, authorizations and qualifications required
under the HMO Regulations in connection with the ownership or operation of HMOs.

         7.05     BOOKS AND RECORDS. Maintain (a) complete and accurate books
and records of its transactions in accordance with good accounting practices on
the basis of GAAP (including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate
reserves) and (b) such books of record and account in material conformity with
all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory
jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

         7.06     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Comply with all Laws, rules,
regulations, orders and restrictions applicable to it and its Property that are
imposed by any Governmental Authority, except where (a) such requirement is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or
(b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         7.07     PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. Pay and discharge as the same shall
become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (a) all
tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its
properties or assets, (b) all lawful claims that, if unpaid, would by law become
a Lien upon its property and (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable,
but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or
agreement evidencing such Indebtedness; provided, however, that no member of the
Consolidated Group shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge,
levy, claim or Indebtedness that is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP
are being maintained by such Person, unless the failure to

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make any such payment (i) could give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on
a Lien securing such amounts or (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         7.08     MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. Maintain in full force and effect
insurance (including workers' compensation insurance, liability insurance and
casualty insurance) in such amounts, covering such risks and liabilities and
with such deductibles or self-insurance retentions as are in accordance with
normal industry practice (or as otherwise required by the Collateral Documents).
The Collateral Agent shall be named as loss payee and/or additional insured with
respect to any such insurance providing coverage in respect of any Collateral,
and each provider of any such insurance shall agree, by endorsement upon the
policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the
Collateral Agent, that it will give the Collateral Agent thirty days prior
written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or canceled.
The present insurance coverage of the members of the Consolidated Group is
outlined as to carrier, policy number, expiration date, type and amount on
Schedule 7.08.

         7.09     MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. Maintain and preserve its
properties and equipment material to the conduct of its business in good repair,
working order and condition, normal wear and tear and casualty and condemnation
excepted, and will make, or cause to be made, in such properties and equipment
from time to time all repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions,
betterments and improvements thereto as may be needed or proper, to the extent
and in the manner customary for companies in similar businesses.

         7.10     PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS. Perform in all material respects
all of its obligations under the terms of all material agreements, indentures,
mortgages, security agreements and other debt instruments to which it is a party
or by which it is bound.

         7.11     INSPECTION RIGHTS. Upon reasonable notice and during normal
business hours (or, following the occurrence and during the continuation of an
Event of Default, at any time without notice), permit representatives appointed
by the Administrative Agent, including independent accountants, agents,
attorneys, and appraisers to visit and inspect its property, including its books
and records, its accounts receivable and inventory, its facilities and its other
business assets, and to make photocopies or photographs thereof and to write
down and record any information such representative obtains and shall permit the
Administrative Agent or its representatives to investigate and verify the
accuracy of information provided to the Lenders and to discuss all such matters
with the officers, employees and representatives of such Person.

         7.12     USE OF PROCEEDS. Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions (a)
to refinance existing senior Funded Debt, (b) to finance the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with this Credit Agreement and (c) to provide for working
capital and other lawful corporate purposes of the Consolidated Group (including
Permitted Acquisitions).

         7.13     JOINDER OF ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS. If any Person becomes a
direct or indirect Eligible Domestic Subsidiary of any Credit Party, the
Borrower shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent thereof within ten days after
a Responsible Officer has knowledge thereof, and (b) within forty-five days
thereafter, (i) cause each such Eligible Domestic Subsidiary to become a
Guarantor by execution of a Joinder Agreement, (ii) deliver with the Joinder
Agreement such supporting resolutions, incumbency certificates, corporate
formation and organizational documentation and opinions of counsel as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and (iii) deliver stock
certificates and related pledge agreements or pledge joinder agreements
evidencing the pledge of one hundred percent (100%) of the Capital Stock of each
direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower and sixty-five percent
(65%) (or such greater percentage that would not result in material adverse tax
consequences) of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock entitled to vote
(within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and one hundred
percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock not entitled to vote
(within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) of each Foreign
Subsidiary directly owned by each such

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Eligible Domestic Subsidiary to secure the obligations of the Guarantors under
the Credit Documents, together with undated stock transfer powers executed in
blank.

         7.14     PLEDGED ASSETS. Each Credit Party will cooperate with and
assist the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to establish and
maintain a perfected first priority security interest (subject to Permitted
Liens) in all of its personal property, assets and all proceeds and accessions
therefrom (other than (a) fixed or capital assets and associated intangible
assets that are the subject of financing and prior Liens permitted hereunder,
the terms of which expressly prohibit the grant of a security interest in favor
of any other party and (b) rights under leases of personal property, contracts,
licenses or other agreements, the terms of which expressly prohibit the grant of
a security interest in favor of any other party) to secure the Obligations as
contemplated herein and in the Collateral Documents.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Until the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise
satisfied, and the Commitments hereunder shall have expired or been terminated,
the Credit Parties will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to:

         8.01     LIENS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon
any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, other than the following:

                  (a)      Liens pursuant to any Credit Document securing the
         Obligations;

                  (b)      Liens in favor of a Lender or any of its Affiliates
         pursuant to a Swap Contract permitted hereunder, but only to the extent
         that (i) the obligations under such Swap Contract are permitted under
         Section 8.03, (ii) such Liens are on the same collateral that secures
         the Obligations, and (iii) the obligations under such Swap Contract and
         the Obligations share pari passu in the collateral subject to such
         Liens;

                  (c)      Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on
         Schedule 8.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that the
         property covered thereby is not increased and any renewal or extension
         of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section
         8.03(b);

                  (d)      Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges
         or levies not yet due or that are being contested in good faith and by
         appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with
         respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in
         accordance with GAAP;

                  (e)      carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
         supplier's, repairmen's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary
         course of business that are not overdue for a period of more than
         thirty days or that are being contested in good faith and by
         appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with
         respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;

                  (f)      pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of
         business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
         insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien
         imposed by ERISA;

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                  (g)      deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
         contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations,
         surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation),
         performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in
         the ordinary course of business;

                  (h)      easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other
         similar encumbrances affecting real property that, in the aggregate,
         are not substantial in amount, and that do not in any case materially
         detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially
         interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable
         Person;

                  (i)      Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not
         constituting an Event of Default under Section 9.01(h) or securing
         appeal or other surety bonds related to such judgments;

                  (j)      Liens securing, or in respect of, obligations under
         capital leases or Synthetic Leases and purchase money obligations for
         fixed or capital assets; provided that (i) such Liens do not at any
         time encumber any property other than the property financed by such
         Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed
         the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property
         being acquired on the date of acquisition;

                  (k)      Liens on the property or assets of any Person that
         becomes a member of the Consolidated Group following the Closing Date
         to the extent such Liens exist at the time such Person becomes a member
         of the Consolidated Group; provided such Liens are not created in
         contemplation thereof and do not extend to any property or assets of
         any other member of the Consolidated Group;

                  (l)      leases or subleases granted to others not interfering
         in any material respect with the business of any member of the
         Consolidated Group;

                  (m)      any interest or title of a lessor under, and Liens
         arising from UCC financing statements (including precautionary UCC
         financing statements and any other equivalent filings, registrations or
         agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases permitted by
         this Credit Agreement;

                  (n)      Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities
         arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in
         connection with the importation of goods;

                  (o)      Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments
         in repurchase agreements that constitute Permitted Investments;

                  (p)      normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits
         of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

                  (q)      Liens of a collection bank arising under Section
         4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of
         collection;

                  (r)      Liens created or deemed to exist by the establishment
         of trusts for the purpose of satisfying (A) Governmental Reimbursement
         Program Costs and (B) other actions or claims pertaining to the same or
         related matters, provided that the Borrower, in each case, shall have
         established adequate reserves for such claims or actions;

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                  (s)      Liens in connection with the Acquisition of the HQ
         Property (provided the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness
         secured thereby does not at any time exceed $25 million); and

                  (t)      Liens (other than blanket liens on any class of
         Property) on specific items of Property not otherwise permitted by the
         foregoing clauses hereof securing Indebtedness in an aggregate
         principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $5 million.

         8.02     INVESTMENTS. Make or permit to exist any Investments, except:

                  (a)      cash and Cash Equivalents;

                  (b)      Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on
         Schedule 8.02(b);

                  (c)      Support Obligations permitted by Section 8.03(c);

                  (d)      accounts receivable created, acquired or made in the
         ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance
         with customary trade terms (including risk-sharing incentive payments
         and similar items);

                  (e)      Investments consisting of Capital Stock, obligations,
         securities, promissory notes and other non-cash consideration or other
         Property received in settlement of accounts receivable (created and
         regularly accepted in the ordinary course of business) from bankrupt
         obligors;

                  (f)      advances or loans to directors, officers and
         employees that do not exceed $5 million in the aggregate at any one
         time outstanding;

                  (g)      advances or loans to customers and suppliers in the
         ordinary course of business that do not exceed $2 million in the
         aggregate at any one time outstanding;

                  (h)      Investments existing on the Closing Date by members
         of the Consolidated Group in their Subsidiaries and Affiliates;

                  (i)      Investments by members of the Consolidated Group in
         and to Domestic Credit Parties;

                  (j)      Investments in HMO Subsidiaries;

                  (k)      Investments by members of the Consolidated Group that
         comply with the Investment Policy, as set forth on Schedule 8.02(k);

                  (l)      (i) Required Advances and (ii) other advances to
         Contract Providers in an amount not to exceed (A) with respect to any
         Contract Provider (and its Affiliates) individually, $2 million in the
         aggregate at any time outstanding and (B) with respect to Contract
         Providers collectively, $10 million in the aggregate at any time
         outstanding;

                  (m)      the Acquisition of the HQ Property in an aggregate
         amount not to exceed $25 million;

                  (n)      any other Acquisition that satisfies the following
         conditions:

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                           (i)      the Person to be acquired is in the HMO
                  Business or a healthcare-related business (including, without
                  limitation, pharmacy benefit management companies and related
                  businesses) and is located in the United States of America,

                           (ii)     the Property acquired (or the Property of
                  the Person acquired) in such Acquisition shall be used or
                  useful in the same or similar line of business as the members
                  of the Consolidated Group on the Closing Date,

                           (iii)    all Property to be acquired in connection
                  with such Acquisition shall be located in the United States of
                  America,

                           (iv)     in the case of an Acquisition of the Capital
                  Stock of another Person, the board of directors (or other
                  comparable governing body) of such other Person shall have
                  duly approved such Acquisition,

                           (v)      no Default or Event of Default shall exist
                  immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition,

                           (vi)     if the Acquisition involves an interest in a
                  partnership and a requirement that a member of the
                  Consolidated Group be a general partner, the general partner
                  shall be a newly formed special purpose Subsidiary of the
                  Borrower,

                           (vii)    the Credit Parties shall, and shall cause
                  the party that is the subject of the Acquisition to, execute
                  and deliver such joinder and pledge agreements and take such
                  other actions as may be necessary for compliance with the
                  provisions of Sections 7.13 and 7.14,

                           (viii)   with respect to any Acquisition (or series
                  of related Acquisitions) for which the aggregate consideration
                  (including cash and non-cash consideration, the maximum amount
                  of any contingent payment (including, without limitation,
                  obligations to make earn-out payments), the fair value of any
                  Capital Stock of the Borrower issued in connection therewith,
                  and Indebtedness assumed) paid in connection therewith exceeds
                  $15 million, the Borrower shall have delivered to the
                  Administrative Agent (A) a compliance certificate signed by a
                  Responsible Officer demonstrating compliance with the
                  financial covenants hereunder after giving effect to the
                  subject Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis and reaffirming that
                  the representations and warranties made hereunder are true and
                  complete in all material respects as of such date and (B) a
                  certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower
                  describing the Person to be acquired, including, without
                  limitation, the location and type of operations, key
                  management and HMO assets of such Person, if any,

                           (ix)     with respect to any Acquisition (or series
                  of related Acquisitions) for which the aggregate consideration
                  (including cash and non-cash consideration, the maximum amount
                  of any contingent payment (including, without limitation,
                  obligations to make earn-out payments), the fair value of any
                  Capital Stock of the Borrower issued in connection therewith,
                  and Indebtedness assumed) paid in connection therewith exceeds
                  $30 million, the compliance certificate delivered by the
                  Borrower in connection therewith shall demonstrate the
                  maintenance of a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of less than
                  2.0:1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect thereto, and

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                           (x)      without the prior consent of the Required
                  Lenders, the total cash consideration (including any
                  assumption of Indebtedness and, with respect to the Person to
                  be acquired, the amount (as determined by the Borrower in good
                  faith at the time of such Acquisition) of projected capital
                  infusions required by Governmental Authorities or necessary in
                  order to maintain compliance with the provisions of this
                  Credit Agreement as of the end of such fiscal year) shall not
                  exceed (A) $30 million in any instance with respect to any
                  such Acquisition (or series of related Acquisitions) and (B)
                  $50 million in the aggregate with respect to all such
                  Acquisitions occurring after the Closing Date; and

                  (o)      Investments of a nature not contemplated in the
         foregoing subsections in an amount not to exceed $30 million in the
         aggregate at any time outstanding.

         8.03     INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Indebtedness, except:

                  (a)      Indebtedness under the Credit Documents;

                  (b)      Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and
         listed on Schedule 8.03 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or
         extensions thereof on terms and conditions no less favorable to such
         Person than such existing Indebtedness;

                  (c)      unsecured intercompany Indebtedness owing by a member
         of the Consolidated Group to another member of the Consolidated Group
         (subject, however, to the limitations of Section 8.6 in the case of the
         member of the Consolidated Group extending the loan, advance or
         credit);

                  (d)      obligations to make contingent payments (including,
         without limitation, earn-out payments) incurred in connection with
         Permitted Acquisitions and Acquisitions consummated prior to the
         Closing Date provided that (i) the maximum amount of cash payments made
         in respect of such obligations shall not exceed $20 million in the
         aggregate and (ii) such obligations shall be expressly subordinated in
         right of payment to the prior payment of the loans and obligations
         under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents on the terms
         and conditions and evidenced by documentation satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders;

                  (e)      Support Obligations of any member of the Consolidated
         Group in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;

                  (f)      obligations (contingent or otherwise) of any member
         of the Consolidated Group existing or arising under any Swap Contract,
         provided that such obligations are (or were) entered into by such
         Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly
         mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments,
         assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or
         changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for
         purposes of speculation or taking a "market view";

                  (g)      Indebtedness in respect of capital leases, Synthetic
         Lease obligations and purchase money obligations hereafter incurred by
         the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) to finance the purchase of
         fixed assets in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20 million
         at any one time outstanding and (ii) to finance the acquisition of the
         HQ Property in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25 million,
         provided in each case that (A) such Indebtedness when incurred shall
         not exceed the purchase price of the assets financed, and (B) no such
         Indebtedness shall be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of
         the principal balance outstanding thereon at the time of such
         refinancing;

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                  (h)      Indebtedness arising or existing with respect to
         Governmental Reimbursement Program Costs;

                  (i)      other secured Funded Debt of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of up to $10
         million at any time outstanding; and

                  (j)      other unsecured Funded Debt of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of up to $10
         million at any time outstanding.

         8.04     MERGERS AND DISSOLUTIONS. Merge, dissolve, liquidate,
consolidate with or into another Person, except that:

                  (a)      a Credit Party other than the Borrower may be party
         to a transaction of merger or consolidation with another Credit Party
         other than the Borrower, provided that if the Borrower is a party to
         such transaction, it shall be the surviving entity;

                  (b)      a Foreign Subsidiary may be party to a transaction of
         merger or consolidation with a Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided
         that (A) if a Domestic Subsidiary is a party thereto, it shall be the
         surviving entity and if such Domestic Subsidiary is not already a
         Credit Party, it shall execute and deliver such joinder and pledge
         agreements as may be necessary for compliance with the provisions of
         Sections 7.13 and 7.14, and (B) if a Foreign Subsidiary is a party
         thereto and a Domestic Subsidiary is not a party thereto, the surviving
         entity shall be a Foreign Subsidiary and the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the requirements of Sections
         7.13 and 7.14;

                  (c)      a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower may be a party
         to a transaction of merger or consolidation with a Person other than a
         member of the Consolidated Group, provided that (A) the surviving
         entity shall be a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower and shall execute
         and deliver such joinder and pledge agreements as may be necessary for
         compliance with the provisions of Sections 7.13 and 7.14, (B) no
         Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately after giving effect
         thereto, and (C) the transaction shall otherwise constitute a Permitted
         Acquisition;

                  (d)      a Subsidiary of the Borrower may enter into a
         transaction of merger or consolidation in connection with an Asset
         Disposition permitted under Section 8.05.

                  (e)      a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower may
         dissolve, liquidate or wind up its affairs if no Material Adverse
         Effect would reasonably be expected to result on account thereof.

         8.05     ASSET DISPOSITIONS. Make any Asset Disposition or enter into
any agreement to make any Asset Disposition to or in favor of any Person, unless
(a) at least 75% the consideration paid therefor shall consist of cash and Cash
Equivalents, (b) if the subject transaction is a Sale and Leaseback Transaction,
such transaction shall be permitted by Section 8.13, (c) if the subject
transaction involves Capital Stock of a Subsidiary, the subject transaction is
of a controlling interest in such Subsidiary, (d) the aggregate net book value
of all assets sold, leased or otherwise disposed of shall not exceed $5 million
in any fiscal year, (e) no Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately
after giving effect thereto, (f) the Borrower shall have delivered to the
Administrative Agent a compliance certificate signed by a Responsible Officer
demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants hereunder on a Pro Forma
Basis after giving effect to the subject disposition and reaffirming that the
representations and warranties made hereunder are true and complete in all
material respects as of such date, and (g) the Borrower shall

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have given written notice to the Administrative Agent at least ten days in
advance of the prospective disposition, and the terms thereof, in sufficient
detail as to the book value and consideration to be paid, terms of disposition,
and net proceeds expected therefrom and intended application thereof.

         The Administrative Agent will promptly deliver to the Borrower upon
request, at the Borrower's expense, such release documentation (including
delivery of applicable stock certificates) as may be reasonably requested to
give effect to the release of subject Property from the security interests
securing the obligations hereunder in connection with Asset Dispositions
permitted hereunder.

         8.06     RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. Declare or make, directly or indirectly,
any Restricted Payment; provided that the Borrower may make Restricted Payments
of up to $1 million in any fiscal year so long as (a) no Default or Event of
Default shall exist immediately after giving effect thereto and (b) the Borrower
shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a compliance certificate signed
by a Responsible Officer demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants
hereunder on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the subject Restricted
Payment and reaffirming that the representations and warranties made hereunder
are true and complete in all material respects as of such date.

         8.07     MODIFICATIONS IN RESPECT OF FUNDED DEBT.

         (a)      After the issuance thereof, amend or modify (or permit the
amendment or modification of) the terms of any Funded Debt in a manner adverse
to the interests of the Lenders (including specifically shortening any maturity
or average life to maturity or requiring any payment sooner than previously
scheduled or increasing the interest rate or fees applicable thereto);

         (b)      Amend or modify, or permit or acquiesce to the amendment or
modification (including waivers) of, any material provisions of any Subordinated
Debt, including any notes or instruments evidencing any Subordinated Debt and
any indenture or other governing instrument relating thereto;

         (c)      Make any payment in contravention of the terms of any
Subordinated Debt; or

         (d)      Except in connection with a refinancing or refunding permitted
hereunder, make any prepayment, redemption, defeasance or acquisition for value
of (including, without limitation, by way of depositing money or securities with
the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose of paying when due),
or refund, refinance or exchange of any Funded Debt (other than the Indebtedness
under the Credit Documents and intercompany Indebtedness permitted hereunder)
other than regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest on such Funded
Debt.

         8.08     TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Enter into any transaction of
any kind with any Affiliate of a Credit Party, whether or not in the ordinary
course of business, other than (a) advances of working capital to any Credit
Party other than the Borrower, (b) transfers of cash and assets to any Credit
Party other than the Borrower, (c) transactions permitted by Sections 8.02,
8.03, 8.04, 8.05, and 8.06, (d) normal compensation and reimbursement of
expenses of officers and directors, (e) transactions between or among Credit
Parties and (f) except as otherwise specifically limited in this Credit
Agreement, other transactions that are entered into in the ordinary course of
such Person's business on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to
such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction
with a Person other than an officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary or
Affiliate.

         8.09     CHANGE IN NATURE OF BUSINESS; FISCAL YEAR.

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         (a)      Engage in any material line of business substantially
different from (i) those lines of business conducted by the Consolidated Group
on the date hereof, (ii) pharmacy benefit management companies or (iii) any
business substantially related or incidental to the foregoing.

         (b)      Change its fiscal year without the prior written consent of
the Required Lenders.

         8.10     FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES. Form or acquire any Foreign Subsidiaries
without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

         8.11     NO FURTHER NEGATIVE PLEDGES. Create or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the
ability of any member of the Consolidated Group to (a) pay dividends or make any
other distributions on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest
or participation in, or measured by, its profits, (b) pay any Indebtedness or
other obligation, (c) make loans, advances or capital contributions, (d) sell,
lease or otherwise transfer any of its properties or assets, or (e) act as a
guarantor or grant a Lien on or a pledge of its assets, except for such
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) this Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents and (ii) pursuant to the terms of any
Indebtedness in respect of purchase money obligations permitted by Section
8.03(g) to the extent such limitations relate only to the property that is the
subject of such financing.

         8.12     OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARIES; LIMITATIONS ON BORROWER.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the contrary:

                  (a)      The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the
         Consolidated Group to (i) permit any Person (other than the Borrower or
         any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower) to own any Capital Stock
         of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, except (A) to qualify directors
         where required by applicable law or to satisfy other requirements of
         applicable law with respect to the ownership of Capital Stock of
         Foreign Subsidiaries or (B) as a result of or in connection with a
         dissolution, merger, consolidation or disposition of a Subsidiary
         permitted under Section 8.04 or 8.05, (ii) permit any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower to issue any shares of preferred Capital Stock, (iii) permit,
         create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any Capital Stock
         of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for Permitted Liens, or (iv)
         become a general partner in any partnership; and

                  (b)      The Borrower shall not (i) hold any assets other than
         the Capital Stock of the Borrower, (ii) have any liabilities other than
         (A) the liabilities under the Credit Documents, (B) tax liabilities in
         the ordinary course of business, (C) loans and advances permitted under
         Sections 8.02, 8.03 and 8.06 and (D) corporate, administrative and
         operating expenses in the ordinary course of business or (iii) engage
         in any business other than (A) owning the Capital Stock of the Borrower
         and activities incidental or related thereto and (B) acting as a
         Guarantor hereunder and pledging its assets to the Collateral Agent,
         for the benefit of the Lenders, pursuant to the Collateral Documents to
         which it is a party.

         8.13     SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS. Permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless such
Sale and Leaseback Transaction constitutes Indebtedness in respect of purchase
money obligations permitted by Section 8.03(g).

         8.14     OPERATING LEASE OBLIGATIONS. Permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to enter into, assume or permit to exist any obligations for
the payment of rent under Operating Leases that in the aggregate for the
Consolidated Group would exceed (a) for each fiscal year of the Borrower ending
from the Closing Date through December 31, 2004, $15 million, (b) for the fiscal
year of the Borrower ending

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December 31, 2005, $18 million and (b) for each fiscal year of the Borrower
ending thereafter, $20 million.

         8.15     FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

         (a)      Consolidated Leverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal
quarter, permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio to be greater than 2.5:1.0.

         (b)      Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal
quarter, permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such period to be less than
2.5:1.0.

         (c)      Consolidated Net Worth. As of the end of each fiscal quarter,
the Consolidated Net Worth shall be not less than the sum of (i) 85% of
Consolidated Net Worth as of September 30, 2003, plus (ii) as of the end of such
fiscal quarter and each preceding fiscal quarter to occur after the Closing
Date, an amount equal to 75% of Consolidated Net Income (but not less than zero)
for such fiscal quarter, such increases to be cumulative, plus (iii) an amount
equal to 100% of Net Cash Proceeds from conversions of convertible stock to
equity following the Closing Date, plus (iv) an amount equal to 85% of Net Cash
Proceeds from the Follow-On Offering, plus (v) an amount equal to 100% of Net
Cash Proceeds from all other Equity Transactions occurring after the Closing
Date.

         (d)      Risk-Based Capital Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal quarter
of the Borrower:

                  (i)      With respect to HMO Subsidiaries operating in a state
         in which regulatory action may be taken against HMOs that do not
         maintain a minimum risk-based capital threshold at a level equal to or
         greater than Company Action Level, such HMO Subsidiary shall maintain a
         ratio of Total Adjusted Capital to Risk-Based Capital at a level equal
         to or greater than 1.1:1.0; and

                  (ii)     With respect to all other HMO Subsidiaries, such HMO
         Subsidiary shall maintain a ratio of Total Adjusted Capital to the
         applicable state's risk-based capital threshold at a level equal to or
         greater than 1.25:1.0, provided that in no event will the amount
         required pursuant to this clause (ii) be greater than the amount which
         would be required if clause (i) were applicable to such HMO Subsidiary;

provided in each case that, so long as each HMO Subsidiary maintains at least
the applicable minimum risk-based capital threshold of the state in which it
operates, (A) unrestricted cash-on-hand held by the Borrower and (B) any unused
availability hereunder may be included in the computation of Total Adjusted
Capital if necessary to comply with the Risk-Based Capital Ratio. Compliance
with the Risk-Based Capital Ratio will be determined at the end of each fiscal
quarter (using as the denominator in each case, for the first three fiscal
quarters of each year, the prescribed level as of the end of the preceding
fiscal year, and for the last fiscal quarter of each year, the prescribed level
as of the end of such fiscal year).

         (e)      Consolidated Capital Expenditures. As of the end of each
fiscal year of the Borrower, Consolidated Capital Expenditures for such fiscal
year shall not exceed an amount equal to the sum of (i) $50 million, plus (ii)
the lesser of (A) $50 million, minus the actual Consolidated Capital
Expenditures for the immediately preceding fiscal year (but not less than zero)
or (B) $10 million.

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                                   ARTICLE IX
                         EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         9.01     EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Any of the following shall constitute an
Event of Default:

                  (a)      Non-Payment. The Borrower or any other Credit Party
         fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of
         principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) within three
         Business Days after the same becomes due, (A) any interest on any Loan
         or on any L/C Obligation, or any commitment or other fee due hereunder,
         or (B) any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Credit
         Document; or

                  (b)      Specific Covenants. The Borrower or any other Credit
         Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement
         contained in any of:

                           (i)      Section 7.03, 7.04, 7.12, 7.13, or 7.14 or
                  Article VIII; or

                           (ii)     Section 7.01 or 7.02, and such failure
                  continues five days after the earlier of a Responsible Officer
                  of a Credit Party becoming aware of such default or notice
                  thereof by the Administrative Agent; or

                  (c)      Other Defaults. The Borrower or any other Credit
         Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not
         specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Credit
         Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure
         continues for thirty days; or

                  (d)      Representations and Warranties. Any representation,
         warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or
         on behalf of the Borrower or any other Credit Party herein, in any
         other Credit Document, or in any document delivered in connection
         herewith or therewith shall be false or misleading in any material
         respect when made or deemed made; or

                  (e)      Cross-Default. (i) Any member of the Consolidated
         Group (A) fails to make any payment when due (beyond the applicable
         grace period, if any), whether by scheduled maturity, required
         prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise, in respect of any
         Indebtedness or Support Obligations (other than Indebtedness hereunder
         and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal
         amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including
         amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit
         arrangement) of more than $5 million or (B) fails to observe or perform
         any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or
         Support Obligations or contained in any instrument or agreement
         evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs,
         the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit
         the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or
         beneficiaries of such Support Obligations (or a trustee or agent on
         behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to
         cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be
         demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or
         redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase,
         prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its
         stated maturity, or such Support Obligations to become payable or cash
         collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs
         under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such
         Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap
         Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting
         Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event
         (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary is an Affected

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         Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value
         owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater
         than $5 million or

                  (f)      Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any member of the
         Consolidated Group institutes or consents to the institution of any
         proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the
         benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of
         any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator,
         rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part
         of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator,
         liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the
         application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues
         undischarged or unstayed for sixty calendar days; or any proceeding
         under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or
         any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of
         such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty calendar
         days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

                  (g)      Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any member of
         the Consolidated Group becomes unable or admits in writing its
         inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or
         (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process
         is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of
         any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within
         thirty days after its issue or levy; or

                  (h)      Judgments. There is entered against any member of the
         Consolidated Group (i) a final judgment or order for the payment of
         money in an aggregate amount exceeding $5 million (to the extent not
         covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer
         does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final
         judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have,
         individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in
         either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor
         upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of thirty
         consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment,
         by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

                  (i)      ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a
         Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could
         reasonably be expected to result in liability of a Credit Party under
         Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC
         in an aggregate amount in excess of $5 million or (ii) a Credit Party
         or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of
         any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to
         its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a
         Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of $5 million; or

                  (j)      Guaranties. Except as the result of or in connection
         with a dissolution, merger or disposition of a Subsidiary permitted
         under Section 8.04 or 8.05, the guaranty given by any Guarantor
         (including any Person that becomes a Guarantor after the Closing Date
         in accordance with Section 7.12) or any provision thereof shall cease
         to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor (including any Person
         that becomes a Guarantor after the Closing Date in accordance with
         Section 7.12) or any Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor
         shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under such
         guaranty, or any Guarantor shall default in the due performance or
         observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be
         performed or observed pursuant to any guaranty; or

                  (k)      Invalidity of Credit Documents. Any Credit Document,
         at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other
         than as expressly permitted hereunder or satisfaction in full of all
         the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Credit
         Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or
         enforceability of any Credit Document;

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         or any Credit Party denies that it has any or further liability or
         obligation under any Credit Document, or purports to revoke, terminate
         or rescind any Credit Document; or

                  (l)      Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control
         with respect to the Borrower; or

                  (m)      HMO Event. (i) There occurs an HMO Event with respect
         to any member of the Consolidated Group that would reasonably be
         expected to materially and adversely affect such Person and such HMO
         Event shall remain unremedied for ninety days after the occurrence
         thereof (or such lesser period of time, if any, as the HMO Regulator
         administering the HMO Regulations shall have imposed for the cure of
         such HMO Event), or (ii) any HMO Subsidiary shall suffer the loss of
         25% or more of the enrolled recipients for which it is responsible
         (other than as the result of any Asset Disposition permitted hereunder)
         as measured from the beginning of the previous month or from the close
         of its immediately preceding fiscal year end that would result in a
         Material Adverse Effect; or

                  (n)      Exclusion Event. There shall occur an Exclusion Event
         that would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         9.02     REMEDIES UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT. If any Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may,
with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following
actions:

                  (a)      declare the commitments of the Lenders to make Loans
         and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to
         be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be
         terminated;

                  (b)      declare the unpaid principal amount of all
         outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all
         other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Credit
         Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment,
         demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
         expressly waived by the Borrower;

                  (c)      require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C
         Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount
         thereof); and

                  (d)      exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all
         rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Credit
         Documents or applicable Law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section
9.01(f) or (g), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation
of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate,
the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other
amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the
obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as
aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act
of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

         9.03     APPLICATION OF FUNDS. After the exercise of remedies provided
for in Section 9.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately
due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be
Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 9.02), any amounts
received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative
Agent in the following order:

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                  First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations
         constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including
         Attorney Costs and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the
         Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, in each case in its
         capacity as such;

                  Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations
         constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal
         and interest) payable to the Lenders (including Attorney Costs and
         amounts payable under Article III), ratably among the Lenders in
         proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to
         them;

                  Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations
         constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and L/C
         Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective
         amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

                  Fourth, to (a) payment of that portion of the Obligations
         constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings, (b)
         payment of breakage, termination or other amounts owing in respect of
         any Swap Contract between any Credit Party and any Lender, or any
         Affiliate of a Lender, to the extent such Swap Contract is permitted
         hereunder and (c) the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C
         Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of the L/C Obligations
         comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit, ratably
         among such parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in
         this clause Fourth held by them; and

                  Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have
         been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise
         required by Law.

Subject to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate
undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be
applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any
amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have
either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to
the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

                                    ARTICLE X
                              ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

         10.01    APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND
COLLATERAL AGENT.

         (a)      Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and
authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions of this Credit Agreement and each other Credit Document and to
exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by
the terms of this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, together with
such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary contained elsewhere herein or in any other Credit Document, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Administrative Agent have or be deemed
to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or participant, and no
implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Credit Agreement or any other Credit
Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term "agent" herein and
in the other Credit Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not
intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations
arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead, such term is used
merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only
an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

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         (b)      Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and
authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions of this Credit Agreement and each Collateral Document and to exercise
such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the
terms of this Credit Agreement or any Collateral Document, together with such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary contained elsewhere herein or in any Collateral Document, the
Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein or therein, nor shall the Collateral Agent have or be
deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or participant, and no
implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Credit Agreement or any Collateral Document
or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term "agent" herein and in the
Collateral Documents with reference to the Collateral Agent is not intended to
connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under
agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead, such term is used merely as a
matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an
administrative relationship between independent contracting parties. The
Collateral Agent shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any
Collateral and the Collateral Documents, and the Collateral Agent shall have all
of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in this
Article X with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Collateral
Agent in connection with any Collateral or the Collateral Documents as fully as
if the term "Administrative Agent" as used in this Article X and in the
definition of "Agent-Related Person" included the Collateral Agent with respect
to such acts or omissions, and (ii) as additionally provided herein or in the
Collateral Documents with respect to the Collateral Agent.

         (c)      The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect
to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith,
and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to
the Administrative Agent in this Article X with respect to any acts taken or
omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued
by it or proposed to be issued by it and the applications and agreements for
letters of credit pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term
"Administrative Agent" as used in this Article X and in the definition of
"Agent-Related Person" included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or
omissions, and (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C
Issuer.

         10.02    DELEGATION OF DUTIES. The Administrative Agent may execute any
of its duties under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document by or
through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice
of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to
such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects in the
absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

         10.03    LIABILITY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. No Agent-Related Person
shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them
under or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document
or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein), or
(b) be responsible in any manner to any Lender or participant for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by any Credit Party or any officer
thereof, contained herein or in any other Credit Document, or in any
certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in,
or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document, or the validity, effectiveness,
genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Credit Agreement or any other
Credit Document, or for any failure of any Credit Party or any other party to
any Credit Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No
Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lender or participant
to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of

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any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Credit Agreement or
any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any
Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof.

         10.04    RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

         (a)      The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall
be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, communication, signature,
resolution, representation, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter,
telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message, electronic mail message,
statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons,
and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to any Credit
Party), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative
Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing
to take any action under any Credit Document unless it shall first receive such
advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate and, if it
so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders
against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason
of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall
in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under
this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document in accordance with a request
or consent of the Required Lenders (or such greater number of Lenders as may be
expressly required hereby in any instance) and such request and any action taken
or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders.

         (b)      For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions
specified in Section 5.01, each Lender that has signed this Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied
with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or
approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative
Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing
Date specifying its objection thereto.

         10.05    NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Administrative Agent shall not be
deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest
and fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Lenders, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from
a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Credit Agreement, describing such
Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of
default." The Administrative Agent will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any
such notice. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to
such Default or Event of Default as may be directed by the requisite Lenders in
accordance herewith; provided, however, that unless and until the Administrative
Agent has received any such direction, the Administrative Agent may (but shall
not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the
best interest of the Lenders.

         10.06    CREDIT DECISION; DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT. Each Lender acknowledges that no Agent-Related Person has made any
representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent
hereafter taken, including any consent to and acceptance of any assignment or
review of the affairs of any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be
deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person
to any Lender as to any matter, including whether Agent-Related Persons have
disclosed material information in their possession. Each Lender represents to
the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon
any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, and
all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Credit
Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower and the other Credit

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Parties hereunder. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and
without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and to make such
investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business,
prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of the Borrower and the other Credit Parties. Except for
notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the
Lenders by the Administrative Agent herein, the Administrative Agent shall not
have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other
information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial
and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Credit Parties or any of
their respective Affiliates that may come into the possession of any
Agent-Related Person.

         10.07    INDEMNIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify
upon demand each Agent-Related Person (to the extent not reimbursed by or on
behalf of any Credit Party and without limiting the obligation of any Credit
Party to do so), pro rata, and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person from and
against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by it; provided, however,
that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of
any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities to the extent determined in a final,
nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted
from such Agent-Related Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct;
provided, however, that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the
Required Lenders shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful
misconduct for purposes of this Section. Without limitation of the foregoing,
each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for its ratable
share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred
by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution,
delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether
through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in
respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Credit Agreement, any other
Credit Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the
extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or
on behalf of the Borrower. The undertaking in this Section shall survive
termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the payment of all other Obligations
and the resignation of the Administrative Agent.

         10.08    ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. Bank of
America and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the
account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally
engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other
business with each of the Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates as
though Bank of America were not the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer
hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Lenders. The Lenders
acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Bank of America or its Affiliates
may receive information regarding any Credit Party or its Affiliates (including
information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such
Credit Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Administrative Agent
shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them. With respect
to its Loans, Bank of America shall have the same rights and powers under this
Credit Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise such rights and powers as
though it were not the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, and the terms
"Lender" and "Lenders" include Bank of America in its individual capacity.

         10.09    SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative Agent may
resign as Administrative Agent upon thirty days' notice to the Lenders; provided
that any such resignation by Bank of America shall also constitute its
resignation as Collateral Agent, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If the
Administrative Agent resigns under this Credit Agreement, the Required Lenders
shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor administrative agent for the
Lenders, which successor administrative agent shall be consented to by the
Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of

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Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed). If no successor administrative agent is appointed prior to the
effective date of the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and the
Borrower, a successor administrative agent from among the Lenders. Upon the
acceptance of its appointment as successor administrative agent hereunder, the
Person acting as such successor administrative agent shall succeed to all the
rights, powers and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender and the respective terms "Administrative
Agent," "Collateral Agent," "L/C Issuer" and "Swing Line Lender" thereafter
shall mean such successor administrative agent, collateral agent, Letter of
Credit issuer and swing line lender, and the retiring Administrative Agent's and
Collateral Agent's respective appointments, powers and duties in such capacities
shall be terminated, and the retiring L/C Issuer's and Swing Line Lender's
rights, powers and duties in such capacities shall be terminated, without any
other or further act or deed on the part of such retiring party or any other
Lender, other than the obligation of the successor L/C Issuer to issue letters
of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the
time of such succession or to make other arrangements satisfactory to the
retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C
Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit. After any retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this
Article X and Sections 11.04 and 11.05 shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent
under this Credit Agreement. If no successor administrative agent has accepted
appointment as Administrative Agent by the date thirty days following a retiring
Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the
Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder
until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as
provided for above.

         10.10    ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM. In case of the
pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial
proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective
of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and
payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of
whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower)
shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or
otherwise:

                  (a)      to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the
         principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C
         Obligations and all other Obligations (other than obligations under
         Swap Contracts to which the Administrative Agent is not a party) that
         are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be
         necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and
         the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable
         compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and
         the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and
         all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under
         Sections 2.09 and 11.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

                  (b)      to collect and receive any monies or other property
         payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event
that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the
Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 11.04.

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         Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of
any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the
Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such
proceeding.

         10.11    COLLATERAL AND GUARANTY MATTERS. The Lenders irrevocably
authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, at its option and
in its discretion:

                  (a)      to release any Lien on any property granted to or
         held by the Collateral Agent under any Credit Document (i) upon
         termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all
         Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the
         expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (ii) that is sold
         or to be sold as part of or in connection with any sale permitted
         hereunder or under any other Credit Document, or (iii) subject to
         Section 11.01, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the
         Required Lenders;

                  (b)      to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or
         held by the Collateral Agent under any Credit Document to the holder of
         any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 8.01(j); and

                  (c)      to release any Guarantor from its obligations under
         the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a
         transaction permitted hereunder.

         Upon request by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent at any
time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the authority of the
Collateral Agent to release or subordinate its interest in particular property
and of the Administrative Agent to release any Guarantor from its obligations
hereunder pursuant to this Section 10.11.

         10.12    OTHER AGENTS; ARRANGERS AND MANAGERS. None of the Lenders or
other Persons identified on the facing page or signature pages of this Credit
Agreement as a "syndication agent," "documentation agent," "co-agent," "book
manager," "lead manager," "arranger," "lead arranger" or "co-arranger" shall
have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this
Credit Agreement other than, in the case of such Lenders, those applicable to
all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or
other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied,
and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in
deciding to enter into this Credit Agreement or in taking or not taking action
hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         11.01    AMENDMENTS, ETC. No amendment or waiver of, or any consent to
deviation from, any provision of this Credit Agreement or any other Credit
Document shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the Borrower, the
Credit Parties and the Required Lenders and acknowledged by the Administrative
Agent, and each such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it is given; provided,
however, that:

                  (a)      unless also signed by each Lender directly affected
         thereby, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

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                           (i)      extend or increase the Commitment of any
                  Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to
                  Section 9.02), it being understood that the amendment or
                  waiver of an Event of Default or a mandatory reduction or a
                  mandatory prepayment in Commitments shall not be considered an
                  increase in Commitments,

                           (ii)     waive non-payment or postpone any date fixed
                  by this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document for any
                  payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to
                  any Lender hereunder or under any other Credit Document,

                           (iii)    reduce the principal of, or the rate of
                  interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or
                  any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other
                  Credit Document; provided, however, that only the consent of
                  the Required Lenders shall be necessary (A) to amend the
                  definition of "Default Rate" or to waive any obligation of the
                  Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate or (B) to amend
                  any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used
                  therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to
                  reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to
                  reduce any fee payable hereunder,

                           (iv)     change any provision of this Credit
                  Agreement regarding pro rata sharing or pro rata funding with
                  respect to (A) the making of advances (including
                  participations), (B) the manner of application of payments or
                  prepayments of principal, interest, or fees, (C) the manner of
                  application of reimbursement obligations from drawings under
                  Letters of Credit, or (D) the manner of reduction of
                  commitments and committed amounts,

                           (v)      change any provision of this Section
                  11.01(a) or the definition of "Required Lenders" or any other
                  provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of
                  Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any
                  rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any
                  consent hereunder,

                           (vi)     release all or substantially all of the
                  Collateral (other than as provided herein or as appropriate in
                  connection with transactions permitted hereunder), or

                           (vii)    release all or substantially all of the
                  Guarantors from their obligations hereunder (other than as
                  provided herein or as appropriate in connection with
                  transactions permitted hereunder);

                  (b)      unless also signed by the L/C Issuer, no such
         amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the
         L/C Issuer under this Credit Agreement or any Letter of Credit
         Application relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by
         it;

                  (c)      unless also signed by the Swing Line Lender, no such
         amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the
         Swing Line Lender under this Credit Agreement;

                  (d)      unless also signed by the Administrative Agent, no
         such amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of
         the Administrative Agent under this Credit Agreement or any other
         Credit Document; and

                  (e)      unless also signed by the Collateral Agent, no such
         amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the
         Collateral Agent under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit
         Document;

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provided however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, (i) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove
any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such
Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender, (ii)
each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy or
insolvency reorganization plan that affects the Loans, (iii) each Lender
acknowledged that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code
supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein, (iv) the Required
Lenders may consent to allow a Credit Party to use cash collateral in the
context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, and (v) the Fee Letter may be
amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only
by the parties thereto.

         11.02    NOTICES AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS; FACSIMILE COPIES.

         (a)      General. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all
notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing
(including by facsimile transmission). All such written notices shall be mailed,
faxed or delivered, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted
hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made, to the address, facsimile
number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for the applicable
party on Schedule 11.02 or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic
mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a
notice to the other parties. All such notices and other communications shall be
deemed to be given or made upon the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt by
the relevant party hereto and (ii) (A) if delivered by hand, when signed for by
or on behalf of the relevant party hereto; (B) if delivered by overnight courier
service, one Business Day after deposit with such service, delivery prepaid; (C)
if delivered by mail, three Business Days after deposit in the mails, postage
prepaid; (D) if delivered by facsimile, when sent and receipt has been confirmed
by telephone; and (E) if delivered by electronic mail (which form of delivery is
subject to the provisions of subsection (c) below), when delivered; provided,
however, that notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent, the
L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Article II shall not be
effective until actually received by such Person. In no event shall a voicemail
message be effective as a notice, communication or confirmation hereunder.

         (b)      Effectiveness of Facsimile Documents and Signatures. Credit
Documents may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile. The effectiveness of
any such documents and signatures shall, subject to applicable Law, have the
same force and effect as manually signed originals and shall be binding on all
Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. The Administrative
Agent may also require that any such documents and signatures be confirmed by a
manually signed original thereof; provided, however, that the failure to request
or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any facsimile document
or signature.

         (c)      Limited Use of Electronic Mail. With respect to notices or
deliveries permitted or required hereunder, electronic mail and internet and
intranet websites may be used only to distribute routine communications, such as
financial statements and other information as provided in Section 7.02, and to
distribute Credit Documents for execution by the parties thereto, and may not be
used for any other purpose.

         (d)      Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The
Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any
notices (including telephonic Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of
the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner provided herein,
were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice
provided herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient,
varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify each
Agent-Related Person and each Lender from all losses, costs, expenses and
liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice
purportedly given by or on behalf of the

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Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other communications with the
Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of
the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

         11.03    NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure by any Lender or
the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in
exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights,
remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive
of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

         11.04    ATTORNEY COSTS, EXPENSES AND TAXES. The Credit Parties jointly
and severally agree (a) to pay directly to the provider thereof or to pay or
reimburse the Administrative Agent for all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and execution of this
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the preservation of any rights
or remedies under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and any
amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and
thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are
consummated), and the consummation and administration of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including all Attorney Costs, and (b) to pay or
reimburse the Administrative Agent and each Lender for all reasonable costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or
preservation of any rights or remedies under this Credit Agreement or the other
Credit Documents (including all such costs and expenses incurred during any
"workout" or restructuring in respect of the Obligations and during any legal
proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law), including all
Attorney Costs. The foregoing costs and expenses shall include all search,
filing, recording, title insurance and appraisal charges and fees and taxes
related thereto, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and the reasonable cost of independent public accountants
and other outside experts retained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
All amounts due under this Section 11.04 shall be payable within ten Business
Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Section shall survive the
termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.

         11.05    INDEMNIFICATION BY THE BORROWER. Whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Borrower shall indemnify
and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person, each Lender and their respective
Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents, trustees, advisors
and attorneys-in-fact (collectively the "Indemnitees") from and against any and
all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements (including Attorney
Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever (subject to the provisions of Section
3.01 with respect to Taxes, Other Taxes and Excluded Taxes) that may at any time
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee (whether by a
Credit Party or any other party) in any way relating to or arising out of or in
connection with (a) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or
administration of any Credit Document or any other agreement, letter or
instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) any Commitment,
Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom
(including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a
Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do
not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), or (c) any actual
or threatened claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of
the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including
any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened
claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any
Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified
Liabilities"); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be
available to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements are determined by a court of

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competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. No Indemnitee
shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any
information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar
information transmission systems in connection with this Credit Agreement, and
no Indemnitee shall have any liability for any indirect or consequential damages
relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or arising out of
its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the
Closing Date). All amounts due under this Section 11.05 shall be payable within
ten Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Section shall
survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, the
replacement of any Lender, the assignment by any Lender of any of its interests
hereunder, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment,
satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

         11.06    PAYMENTS SET ASIDE. To the extent that any payment by or on
behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the
Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such
payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently
invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required
(including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent
or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any
other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or
otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part
thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in
full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had
not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid
by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand
to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds
Rate from time to time in effect.

         11.07    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         (a)      The provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer
any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in
accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of
participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this
Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject
to the restrictions of subsection (f) or (i) of this Section (and any other
attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).
Nothing in this Credit Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to
confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective
successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in
subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby,
the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by
reason of this Credit Agreement.

         (b)      Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible
Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit
Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including
for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in
Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case
of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's
Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment
to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a
Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes
Loans outstanding thereunder) subject to each such assignment, determined as of
the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is
delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if "Trade Date" is specified in the
Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5
million unless each of

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the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed); (ii) each partial assignment shall be made as
an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement with respect to the Loans or the
Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to rights in
respect of Swing Line Loans; (iii) any assignment of a Commitment must be
approved by the Administrative Agent and, with respect to any assignment of a
Revolving Commitment, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender such consent not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), unless the Person that is the proposed
assignee is itself a Lender (whether or not the proposed assignee would
otherwise qualify as an Eligible Assignee); and (iv) the parties to each
assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment
and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified
in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a
party to this Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by
such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
under this Credit Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the
extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released
from its obligations under this Credit Agreement (and, in the case of an
Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party
hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04,
3.05, 11.04 and 11.05 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to
the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, the Borrower (at its
expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment
or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement
that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this
Credit Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and
obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

         (c)      The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an
agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent's Office a
copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of,
and principal amounts of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in
the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register
pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this
Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

         (d)      Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice
to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person
(other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Affiliates
or Subsidiaries) (each, a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's
rights and/or obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender's
participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it);
provided that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Credit Agreement shall
remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower,
the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to
which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall
retain the sole right to enforce this Credit Agreement and to approve any
amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement;
provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will
not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or
other modification that extends the time for, reduces the amount or alters the
application of proceeds with respect to such obligations and

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payments required therein that directly affects such Participant. Subject to
subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall
be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent
as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to
subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant
also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.09 as though it were a
Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.12 as though
it were a Lender.

         (e)      A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater
payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been
entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant.
A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be
entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the
participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the
benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 11.15 as though it were a
Lender.

         (f)      Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Credit Agreement
(including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender,
including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve
Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from
any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for
such Lender as a party hereto.

         (g)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any
Lender that is a Fund may (without notice to or the consent of any of the
parties hereto) create a security interest in all or any portion of the Loans
owing to it and the Note, if any, held by it to the trustee for holders of
obligations owed, or securities issued, by such Fund as security for such
obligations or securities, provided that unless and until such trustee actually
becomes a Lender in compliance with the other provisions of this Section 11.07,
(i) no such pledge shall release the pledging Lender from any of its obligations
under the Credit Documents and (ii) such trustee shall not be entitled to
exercise any of the rights of a Lender under the Credit Documents even though
such trustee may have acquired ownership rights with respect to the pledged
interest through foreclosure or otherwise.

         (h)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if
at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to
subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon thirty days' notice to the
Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon thirty days'
notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such
resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled
to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender
hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any
such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or
Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer,
it shall retain all the rights and obligations of the L/C Issuer hereunder with
respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its
resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto
(including the right to require the Lenders to make Revolving Loans that are
Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to
Section 2.03(c)). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall
retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with
respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date
of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make
Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in
outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c).

         11.08    CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information,
except that Confidential Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its
Affiliates' directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants,
legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom
such disclosure is made will be

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informed of the confidential nature of such Confidential Information and
instructed to keep such Confidential Information confidential); (b) to the
extent requested by any regulatory authority; (c) to the extent required by
applicable Law or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d)
to any other party to this Credit Agreement; (e) in connection with the exercise
of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this
Credit Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder; (f) subject to an
agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section,
to (i) any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective Eligible
Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this
Credit Agreement or (ii) any direct or indirect contractual counterparty or
prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty's or prospective
counterparty's professional advisor) to any credit derivative transaction
relating to obligations of the Credit Parties; (g) with the consent of the
Borrower; (h) to the extent such Confidential Information (i) becomes publicly
available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes
available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis
from a source other than the Borrower; (i) to the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization; or (j) to any
nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to a Lender's or an
Affiliate's investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect
to such Lender or Affiliate. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders may disclose the existence of this Credit Agreement and information
about this Credit Agreement to market data collectors (and similar service
providers) that track the loan syndications market, and to service providers to
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration
and management of this Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, the
Commitments, and the Credit Extensions. Any Person required to maintain the
confidentiality of Confidential Information as provided in this Section shall be
considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has
exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such
Confidential Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential
information. For the purposes of this Section, "Confidential Information" means
all information received from any Credit Party relating to any Credit Party or
its business, other than any such information that is available to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to
disclosure by any Credit Party; provided that, in the case of information
received from a Credit Party after the date hereof, such information is clearly
identified in writing at the time of delivery as confidential. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, "Confidential Information" shall not include
any information with respect to the "tax treatment" and "tax structure" (in each
case, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4) of the
transactions contemplated hereby and all materials of any kind (including
opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Administrative Agent or
any Lender relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, and the
Administrative Agent and each Lender may disclose to any and all Persons,
without limitation of any kind (other than limitations provided by applicable
Law), any such information; provided that with respect to any document or
similar item that contains information concerning the tax treatment or tax
structure of the transaction as well as Confidential Information, this sentence
shall only apply to such portions of the document or similar item that relate to
the tax treatment or tax structure of the Loans, the Letters of Credit and the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         11.09    SET-OFF. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders
provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of
Default, each Lender and each of its Affiliates are authorized at any time and
from time to time, without prior notice to the Borrower or any other Credit
Party, any such notice being waived by the Borrower (on its own behalf and on
behalf of each Credit Party) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off
and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional
or final) at any time held by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such
Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the respective Credit
Parties against any and all Obligations owing to such Lender hereunder or under
any other Credit Document, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or
not the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have made demand under this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document and although such Obligations may
be contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of
the applicable deposit or

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indebtedness. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender;
provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such set-off and application.

         11.10    INTEREST RATE LIMITATION. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in any Credit Document, the interest paid or agreed to be
paid under the Credit Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of
non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the "Maximum Rate"). If the
Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that
exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal
of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower.
In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the
Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to
the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not
principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude
voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate,
allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest
throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

         11.11    COUNTERPARTS. This Credit Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         11.12    INTEGRATION. This Credit Agreement, together with the other
Credit Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties
on the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements,
written or oral, on such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between
the provisions of this Credit Agreement and those of any other Credit Document,
the provisions of this Credit Agreement shall control; provided that the
inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Administrative
Agent or the Lenders in any other Credit Document shall not be deemed a conflict
with this Credit Agreement. Each Credit Document was drafted with the joint
participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither
against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair
meaning thereof.

         11.13    SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All
representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Credit Document
or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith
or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such
representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the
Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by
the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding
that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of
any Default or Event of Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall
continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation
hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall
remain outstanding.

         11.14    SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Credit Agreement or the
other Credit Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the
legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall not be affected or impaired
thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace
the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the
economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a
particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such
provision in any other jurisdiction.

         11.15    TAX FORMS.

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         (a)      (i) Each Lender that is not a "United States person" within
         the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code (a
         "Foreign Lender") shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, prior to
         receipt of any payment subject to withholding under the Internal
         Revenue Code (or upon accepting an assignment of an interest herein),
         two duly signed completed copies of either IRS Form W-8BEN or any
         successor thereto (relating to such Foreign Lender and entitling it to
         an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax on all payments to
         be made to such Foreign Lender by the Borrower pursuant to this Credit
         Agreement) or IRS Form W-8ECI or any successor thereto (relating to all
         payments to be made to such Foreign Lender by the Borrower pursuant to
         this Credit Agreement) or such other evidence satisfactory to the
         Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such Foreign Lender is
         entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. withholding tax,
         including any exemption pursuant to Section 881(c) of the Internal
         Revenue Code. Thereafter and from time to time, each such Foreign
         Lender shall (A) promptly submit to the Administrative Agent such
         additional duly completed and signed copies of one of such forms (or
         such successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the
         relevant United States taxing authorities) as may then be available
         under then current United States laws and regulations to avoid, or such
         evidence as is satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative
         Agent of any available exemption from or reduction of, United States
         withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Foreign
         Lender by the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement, (B) promptly
         notify the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances that
         would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction, and
         (C) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it,
         in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be reasonably
         necessary (including the re-designation of its Lending Office) to avoid
         any requirement of applicable Law that the Borrower make any deduction
         or withholding for taxes from amounts payable to such Foreign Lender.

                  (ii)     Each Foreign Lender, to the extent it does not act or
         ceases to act for its own account with respect to any portion of any
         sums paid or payable to such Lender under any of the Credit Documents
         (for example, in the case of a typical participation by such Lender),
         shall deliver to the Administrative Agent on the date when such Foreign
         Lender ceases to act for its own account with respect to any portion of
         any such sums paid or payable, and at such other times as may be
         necessary in the determination of the Administrative Agent (in the
         reasonable exercise of its discretion), (A) two duly signed completed
         copies of the forms or statements required to be provided by such
         Lender as set forth above, to establish the portion of any such sums
         paid or payable with respect to which such Lender acts for its own
         account that is not subject to U.S. withholding tax, and (B) two duly
         signed completed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor thereto),
         together with any information such Lender chooses to transmit with such
         form, and any other certificate or statement of exemption required
         under the Internal Revenue Code, to establish that such Lender is not
         acting for its own account with respect to a portion of any such sums
         payable to such Lender.

                  (iii)    The Borrower shall not be required to pay any
         additional amount to any Foreign Lender under Section 3.01 (A) with
         respect to any Taxes required to be deducted or withheld on the basis
         of the information, certificates or statements of exemption such Lender
         transmits with an IRS Form W-8IMY pursuant to this Section 11.15(a) or
         (B) if such Lender shall have failed to satisfy the foregoing
         provisions of this Section 11.15(a); provided that if such Lender shall
         have satisfied the requirement of this Section 11.15(a) on the date
         such Lender became a Lender or ceased to act for its own account with
         respect to any payment under any of the Credit Documents, nothing in
         this Section 11.15(a) shall relieve the Borrower of its obligation to
         pay any amounts pursuant to Section 3.01 in the event that, as a result
         of any change in any applicable Law, treaty or governmental rule,
         regulation or order, or any change in the interpretation,
         administration or

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         application thereof, such Lender is no longer properly entitled to
         deliver forms, certificates or other evidence at a subsequent date
         establishing the fact that such Lender or other Person for the account
         of which such Lender receives any sums payable under any of the Credit
         Documents is not subject to withholding or is subject to withholding at
         a reduced rate.

                  (iv)     The Administrative Agent may, without reduction,
         withhold any Taxes required to be deducted and withheld from any
         payment under any of the Credit Documents with respect to which the
         Borrower is not required to pay additional amounts under this Section
         11.15(a).

         (b)      Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each Lender that
is a "United States person" within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the
Internal Revenue Code shall deliver to the Administrative Agent two duly signed
completed copies of IRS Form W-9. If such Lender fails to deliver such forms,
then the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such
Lender an amount equivalent to the applicable back-up withholding tax imposed by
the Internal Revenue Code, without reduction.

         (c)      If any Governmental Authority asserts that the Administrative
Agent did not properly withhold or backup withhold, as the case may be, any tax
or other amount from payments made to or for the account of any Lender, such
Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent therefor, including all
penalties and interest, any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts
payable to the Administrative Agent under this Section, and costs and expenses
(including Attorney Costs) of the Administrative Agent. The obligation of the
Lenders under this Section shall survive the termination of the Aggregate
Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder and the resignation of
the Administrative Agent.

         11.16    REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS. Under any circumstances set forth
herein providing that the Borrower shall have the right to replace a Lender as a
party to this Credit Agreement, the Borrower may, upon notice to such Lender and
the Administrative Agent, replace such Lender by causing such Lender to assign
its Commitment (with the related assignment fee to be paid by the assignee or,
at its option, the Borrower) pursuant to Section 11.07(b) to one or more
Eligible Assignees procured by the Borrower. The assignee and/or the Borrower,
as appropriate, shall pay in full all principal, interest, fees and other
amounts owing to such Lender through the date of replacement (including any
amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.05). Any Lender being replaced shall
execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Lender's
Commitment and outstanding Loans and participations in L/C Obligations and Swing
Line Loans.

         11.17    SOURCE OF FUNDS. Each of the Lenders hereby represents and
warrants to the Borrower that at least one of the following statements is an
accurate representation as to the source of funds to be used by such Lender in
connection with the financing hereunder:

                  (a)      to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
         assets allocated to a separate account maintained by such Lender, no
         part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any separate account
         in which any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) has any
         interest;

                  (b)      to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
         assets allocated to any separate account maintained by such Lender,
         such Lender has disclosed to the Borrower the name of each employee
         benefit plan whose assets in such account exceed 10% of the total
         assets of such account as of the date of such purchase (and, for
         purposes of this subsection (b), all employee benefit plans maintained
         by the same employer or employee organization are deemed to be a single
         plan) and such Lender is an insurance company that will comply with the
         record-keeping obligations established under Prohibited Transaction
         Class Exemption 90-1 issued by the Department of Labor;

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                  (c)      to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
         assets of an insurance company's general account, such insurance
         company has complied with all of the requirements of the regulations
         issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA such that such funds are not
         treated as assets of an employee benefit plan for purposes of ERISA; or

                  (d)      such funds constitute assets of one or more specific
         employee benefit plans that such Lender has identified in writing to
         the Borrower.

         As used in this Section, the terms "employee benefit plan" and
"separate account" shall have the respective meanings provided in Section 3 of
ERISA.

         11.18    GOVERNING LAW.

         (a)      THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, the LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely within such State; PROVIDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE
Agent, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH LENDER SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING
UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

         (b)      ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS
SITTING IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS
AGREEMENT, EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE Agent, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND
EACH LENDER CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE
NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE
ADMINISTRATIVE Agent, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH LENDER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES
ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE
GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF ANY
CREDIT DOCUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO. EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE
ADMINISTRATIVE Agent, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH LENDER WAIVES PERSONAL
SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, THAT MAY BE MADE BY ANY
OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE.

         11.19    WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT
HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION
OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED
WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF
THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO,
IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN
CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT
ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT
TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL
COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE
CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

                                       89

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         11.20     NO CONFLICT. To the extent there is any conflict or
inconsistency between the provisions hereof and the provisions of any Credit
Document, this Credit Agreement shall control.

         11.21     ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT
DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE
CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE
PARTIES.

                  [remainder of page intentionally left blank]

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<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Credit
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

BORROWER:                           AMERIGROUP CORPORATION,
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    By:  /S/ SHERRI E. LEE
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Sherri E. Lee
                                    Title: SVP, Treasurer and Asst. Secretary

GUARANTORS:                         PHP HOLDINGS, INC.,
                                    a Florida corporation

                                    By:  /S/ STANLEY F. BALDWIN
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Stanley F. Baldwin
                                    Title: VP and Secretary

                                                          AMERIGROUP CORPORATION
                                           AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
<PAGE>

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:               BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                                    as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

                                    By:  /S/ ANNIE CUENCO
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Annie Cuenco
                                    Title: Assistant Vice President

LENDERS:                            BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as L/C Issuer, Swing
                                    Line Lender and as a Lender

                                    By:  /S/ JOSEPH L. CORAH
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Joseph L. Corah
                                    Title: Principal

                                    WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                    By:  /S/ DONALD H. CLARK JR.
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Donald H. Clark Jr.
                                    Title: Vice President

                                    CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, acting through
                                    its Cayman Islands Branch

                                    By:  /S/ KARL STUDER
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Karl Studer
                                    Title: Director

                                    By:  /S/ CHRISTOPHER LALLY
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Christopher Lally
                                    Title: Vice President

                                    CIBC INC.

                                    By:  /S/ TERENCE MOORE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Terence Moore
                                    Title: Executive Director

                                                          AMERIGROUP CORPORATION
                                           AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

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