AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

EXHIBIT 2.1

EXECUTION COPY

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

BY AND AMONG

TRIAD HOSPITALS, INC.,

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

AND

FWCT-1 ACQUISITION CORPORATION

MARCH 19, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

     This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of this 19th day of March, 2007, by and among Triad Hospitals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Community Health Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), and FWCT-1 Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”).

RECITALS

     WHEREAS, the parties intend that Merger Sub be merged with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent;

     WHEREAS, immediately prior to entering into this Agreement, the Company terminated the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 4, 2007, by and among Panthera Partners, LLC, Panthera Holdco Corp., Panthera Acquisition Corporation (collectively, “ Panthera ”) and the Company (the “ Prior Merger Agreement ”);

     WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective stockholders for Parent to acquire the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, following the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, has (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to terminate the Prior Merger Agreement and enter into this Agreement, (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger and (iii) resolved to recommend adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company;

     WHEREAS, the members of the Boards of Directors of Parent and Merger Sub have unanimously approved this Agreement and declared it advisable for Parent and Merger Sub, respectively, to enter into this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Merger, as set forth herein.

AGREEMENT

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

     Section 1.1 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

     “ Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(f)(i) .

     “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “ control ” (including the correlative terms “ controlling ”, “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

     “ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

     “ Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company.

     “ Business Day ” means any day other than the days on which banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to close.

     “ Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(d) .

     “ Certificate of Merger ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 .

     “ CIA ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16(b) .

     “ Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

     “ Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

     “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     “ Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) .

     “ Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

     “ Company Acquisition Proposal ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(f)(ii) .

     “ Company Benefit Plans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a) .

     “ Company Disclosure Letter ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to Article IV .

     “ Company Employees ” means any current, former or retired employee, officer, consultant, independent contractor or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     “ Company ERISA Affiliate ” means any Person that, together with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

     “ Company ESOP ” means that certain Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or the trust established under such plan, established by the Company.

     “ Company ESOP Debt ” means debt evidenced by that certain ESOP Loan and Pledge Agreement dated June 10, 1999 by and between the Company and U.S. Trust Company, N.A., as trustee of the Company ESOP.

     “ Company ESOP Shares ” means the Shares owned by the Company ESOP and unallocated to participant accounts under the Company ESOP immediately prior to the Effective Time.

     “ Company Joint Venture ” means the Persons or other joint venture arrangements set forth in Schedule 4.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

     “ Company Options ” means outstanding options to acquire Shares from the Company granted under the Company Stock Plans.

     “ Company Proxy Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9 .

     “ Company SEC Reports ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a) .

     “ Company Securities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(b) .

     “ Company Stockholder Meeting ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a) .

     “ Company Stock Plans ” means the plans listed on Schedule 4.14(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter whereby Company Options, RSUs or shares of Common Stock have been or may be issued to employees, officers or directors of the Company, its subsidiaries or its predecessors.

     “ Compensation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a) .

     “ Confidentiality Agreement ” means the Confidentiality and Standstill Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2007, by and between the Company and Parent.

     “ Consent Solicitation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(e) .

     “ Contract ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4 .

     “ Current Employee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a) .

     “ Current Policy ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5(b) .

     “ Damages ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5(a) .

     “ Debt Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7 .

     “ Debt Financing Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7 .

     “ Debt Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(a) .

     “ Deemed Purchase ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(d) .

     “ DGCL ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 .

     “ Disclosed Conditions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12 .

     “ Dissenting Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(e) .

     “ DOJ ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b) .

     “ Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 .

     “ Employee Benefit Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(3) of ERISA.

     “ End Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b)(i) .

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

     “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     “ Existing Credit Agreement ” means the credit agreement dated as of June 10, 2005 by and among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other agents party thereto.

     “ Existing Parent Notes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(c) .

     “ Facilities ” means all hospitals, ambulatory centers, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities or other healthcare facilities operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     “ FTC ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b) .

     “ GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

     “ Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government or any agency, public or regulatory authority, instrumentality, department, commission, court, arbitrator, ministry, tribunal or board of any nation or government or political subdivision thereof, in each case, whether national, federal, provincial, state, regional, local or municipal.

     “ HCA Tax Sharing Agreement ” means the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement dated as of May 11, 1999 entered into by and among Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation (now known as HCA Inc.), LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., and the Company in connection with the

distribution by Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation to its shareholders of all of the stock of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. and the Company.

     “ HSR Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

     “ Indentures ” means: (i) the Senior Debt Securities Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2004, between the Company and Citigroup, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 7% Senior Notes due 2012; (ii) the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2004, between the Company and Citibank, N.A. as trustee, with respect to the 7% Senior Notes due 2012; and (iii) the Indenture dated as of November 12, 2003, between the Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013.

     “ Initial Panthera Termination Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.18(a) .

     “ Insurance Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5(b) .

     “ Intercompany Debt ” means any loan, advance or other obligation solely among the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries.

     “ IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

     “ Knowledge ” means the actual knowledge of the Persons set forth in Schedule 1.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter.

     “ Law ” means applicable statutes, common laws, rules, ordinances, regulations, codes, orders, judgments, injunctions, writs, decrees, governmental guidelines or interpretations having the force of law or bylaws, in each case, of a Governmental Authority.

     “ Leased Real Property ” means the real property that is used in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted that is leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case as tenant.

     “ Liens ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.

     “ Marketing Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(b) .

     “ Material Adverse Effect on the Company ” means any event, state of facts, circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence that is materially adverse to (x) the ability of the Company to timely perform its obligations under this Agreement, or (y) the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any event, state of facts, circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence resulting from (A) changes in general economic or political conditions or the securities, credit or financial markets in general, (B) general changes or developments in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, including general changes in applicable Law across such industries, (C) the announcement of this Agreement or the pendency of the transactions contemplated hereby, including disputes or any fees or expenses incurred in connection therewith or any labor

union activities or disputes, (D) the identity of Parent or any of its Affiliates as the acquiror of the Company, (E) compliance with the terms of, or the taking of any action required by, this Agreement or consented to by Parent, (F) any acts of terrorism or war or any natural disaster or weather-related event (other than any of the foregoing that causes any damage or destruction to or renders unusable any material Facility of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), (G) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or the interpretation thereof, (H) changes in the price or trading volume of the Common Stock (provided that the underlying causes of such price or volume changes nonetheless shall be considered in determining whether there is a Material Adverse Effect on the Company), (I) any legal proceedings made or brought by any of the current or former stockholders of the Company (on their own behalf or on behalf of the Company) arising out of or related to this Agreement or the Merger, or (J) any failure to meet internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earning predictions for any period (provided that the underlying causes of such failure nonetheless shall be considered in determining whether there is a Material Adverse Effect on the Company except as otherwise excluded from the definition of Material Adverse Effect on the Company pursuant to this Agreement), except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), to the extent such changes or developments referred to therein would reasonably be expected to have a materially disproportionate impact on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other for profit participants in the industries and in the geographic markets in which the Company conducts its businesses after taking into account the size of the Company relative to such other for profit participants.

     “ Material Contract ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(a) .

     “ Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

     “ Merger Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(d) .

     “ Merger Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(d) .

     “ Merger Sub ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

     “ Minority Joint Venture ” means the Persons or other joint venture arrangements set forth in Schedule 4.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

     “ Net SPP Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(d) .

     “ New Financing Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7 .

     “ Notes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(a) .

     “ Notice Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(d) .

     “ Offer Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(b) .

     “ OIG ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16(b) .

     “ Owned Real Property ” means all real property owned in fee by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries together with all appurtenant easements thereunder or relating thereto and all structures, fixtures and improvements located thereon.

     “ Panthera ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

     “ Panthera Parent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.18(a) .

     “ Panthera Termination Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.18(a) .

     “ Parent ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

     “ Parent Consent Solicitation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(c) .

     “ Parent Disclosure Letter ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to Article V.

     “ Parent Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(c) .

     “ Parent Tender Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(c).

     “ Participants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(d) .

     “ Paying Agent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a) .

     “ PBGC ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a) .

     “ Permits ” means any licenses, franchises, permits, certificates, consents, approvals or other similar authorizations of, from or by a Governmental Authority, possessed by, granted to or necessary for the ownership of the material assets or conduct of the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

     “ Permitted Liens ” means (i) Liens for Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate Proceedings; (ii) mechanics, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, materialmen’s or other Liens or security interests that secure a liquidated amount that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate Proceedings; (iii) leases, subleases and licenses (other than capital leases and leases underlying sale and leaseback transactions); (iv) Liens imposed by applicable Law, (v) pledges or deposits to secure obligations under workers’ compensation Laws or similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations; (vi) pledges and deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a similar nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business; (vii) easements, covenants and rights of way (unrecorded and of record) and other similar restrictions of record, and zoning, building and other similar restrictions, in each case that do not adversely affect in any material respect the current use of the applicable property owned, leased, used or held for use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (viii) Liens relating to existing indebtedness, the existence of which indebtedness is specifically disclosed in any Company SEC Report filed prior to the date of this Agreement; (ix) Liens permitted under or securing indebtedness pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement; and (x) any other Liens that do not secure a liquidated amount, that

have been incurred or suffered in the ordinary course of business and that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company or the ability of Parent to obtain the Debt Financing.

     “ Person ” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust, joint venture or any other entity or organization, including any government or political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

     “ Preferred Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a) .

     “ Prior Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

     “ Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11 .

     “ Real Property ” means the Owned Real Property together with the Leased Real Property.

     “ Real Property Leases ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15 .

     “ Recommendation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a) .

     “ Recommendation Withdrawal ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a) .

     “ Representatives ” means the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents, advisors, affiliates and other representatives.

     “ Requested Consents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(e) .

     “ Required Financial Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(a) .

     “ Requisite Stockholder Vote ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a) .

     “ Restricted Share ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b) .

     “ Rights Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.20(a) .

     “ RSU ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(c) .

     “ SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

     “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     “ Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) .

     “ Solvent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11 .

     “ Special Committee ” means a committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, the members of which are not affiliated with Parent or Merger Sub and are not members of the Company’s management, formed for the purpose of, among other things, evaluating, and making

a recommendation to the full Board of Directors of the Company with respect to, this Agreement and the Merger.

     “ Stock Purchase Plans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(d) .

     “ Subsidiary ”, with respect to any Person, means any other Person of which the first Person owns, directly or indirectly, securities or other ownership interests having either (i) voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions, or (ii) beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the equity interests of the second Person. With respect to the Company, the term “Subsidiary” shall not include any Minority Joint Venture.

     “ Superior Proposal ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(f)(iii) .

     “ Surviving Corporation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 .

     “ Surviving Corporation Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(b) .

     “ Takeover Statute ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.20(b) .

     “ Tax ” means (i) all federal, state, local, foreign and other taxes (including withholding taxes), customs, duties, imposts and other similar governmental charges of any kind or nature whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions or additional amounts with respect thereto (whether disputed or not), (ii) any liability for payment of amounts described in clause (i) whether as a result of transferee liability, joint or several liability for being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or other group for any period, or otherwise by operation of law, and (iii) any liability for the payment of amounts described in clause (i) or (ii) as a result of any tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other express or implied agreement to pay or indemnify any other Person.

     “ Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, statement, information statement or other document filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes, including any claims for refunds of Taxes, any information returns and any amendments or supplements of any of the foregoing.

     “ Termination Fee ” means $130,000,000.

     Section 1.2 Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.1 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “ include ”, “ includes ” and “ including ” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “ without limitation ”, unless the context expressly provides otherwise. All references herein to Sections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, clauses, Exhibits or Schedules shall be deemed references to Sections, paragraphs, subparagraphs or clauses of, or Exhibits or Schedules to this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise. Unless otherwise expressly defined, terms defined in this Agreement have the same meanings when used in any Exhibit or Schedule hereto, including the Company Disclosure Letter. Unless otherwise specified, the words “ this Agreement ”, “ herein ”, “ hereof ”, “ hereto ” and “ hereunder ” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole (including the Schedules, Exhibits and the Company Disclosure Letter) and not to any

particular provision of this Agreement. The term “ or ” is not exclusive. The word “ extent ” in the phrase “ to the extent ” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “ if ”. Any Contract, instrument or Law defined or referred to herein means such Contract, instrument or Law as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of Contracts or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of Laws) by succession of comparable successor Laws and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a Person are also to such Person’s permitted successors and assigns.

ARTICLE II

THE MERGER

     Section 2.1 The Merger . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”), at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”), the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease and the Company will continue its corporate existence under Delaware law as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “ Surviving Corporation ”).

     Section 2.2 Closing . Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by the Company and Merger Sub, the closing of the Merger (the “ Closing ”) will take place at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 153 East 53rd Street, New York, New York, at 10:00 a.m. on the third Business Day after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at the Closing); provided , however , that if the Marketing Period has not ended at the time of the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at the Closing), the Closing shall occur on the date following the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions that is the earliest to occur of (a) a date during the Marketing Period to be specified by Merger Sub on no less than three Business Days’ notice to the Company, (b) the final day of the Marketing Period, and (c) the End Date. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is hereinafter referred to as the “ Closing Date ”.

     Section 2.3 Effective Time . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the Company will cause a certificate of merger (the “ Certificate of Merger ”) to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with Section 251 of the DGCL. The Merger will become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later date or time as may be agreed by the Company and Merger Sub in writing and specified in the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DGCL (the effective time of the Merger being hereinafter referred to as the “ Effective Time ”).

     Section 2.4 Effects of the Merger . The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, from and after the Effective Time, all property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises, licenses and authority of the Company and Merger Sub shall

vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions and duties of each of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

     Section 2.5 Organizational Documents . At the Effective Time, (a) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended to read in its entirety as the Certificate of Incorporation of Merger Sub read immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be Triad Healthcare Corporation and the provision in the Certificate of Incorporation of Merger Sub naming its incorporator shall be omitted and (b) the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended so as to read in their entirety as the bylaws of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law, except the references to Merger Sub’s name shall be replaced by references to Triad Healthcare Corporation.

     Section 2.6 Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation . The directors and officers of Merger Sub, in each case, as of the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the directors and officers, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

ARTICLE III

EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK
OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS

     Section 3.1 Conversion of Securities . At the Effective Time, pursuant to this Agreement and by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Merger Sub or the holders of the Shares:

          (a) Each share of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ” or the “ Shares ”) held by the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) as treasury stock or owned directly or indirectly by Parent or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time (including any Shares acquired by Parent, Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time) shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no payment or distribution shall be made or delivered with respect thereto.

          (b) [Intentionally omitted]

          (c) Each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one newly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

          (d) Each Share (including any Restricted Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.1(a) and Dissenting Shares), automatically shall be canceled and converted into the right to receive $54.00 in cash, without interest (the “ Merger Consideration ”), payable to the holder

thereof upon surrender of the stock certificate formerly representing such Share (a “ Certificate ”) in the manner provided in Section 3.2 . Such Shares, other than those canceled pursuant to Section 3.1(a) and Dissenting Shares, sometimes are referred to herein as the “ Merger Shares .”

          (e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if required by the DGCL (but only to the extent required thereby), Shares that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.1(a) ) and that are held by holders of such Shares who have not voted in favor of the adoption of this Agreement or consented thereto in writing and who have properly exercised appraisal rights with respect thereto in accordance with, and who have complied with, Section 262 of the DGCL (the “ Dissenting Shares ”) will not be convertible into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, and holders of such Dissenting Shares will be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of such Dissenting Shares in accordance with the provisions of such Section 262 unless and until any such holder fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or loses its rights to appraisal and payment under the DGCL. If, after the Effective Time, any such holder fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or loses such right, such Dissenting Shares will thereupon be treated as if they had been converted into and have become exchangeable for, at the Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without any interest thereon, and the Surviving Corporation shall remain liable for payment of the Merger Consideration for such Shares. At the Effective Time, any holder of Dissenting Shares shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the rights provided in Section 262 of the DGCL and as provided in the previous sentence. The Company will give Parent (i) notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisals of Shares and (ii) the opportunity to participate in and direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such notices and demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal or settle any such demands.

          (f) If between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time the number of outstanding Shares is changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or the like, other than pursuant to the Merger, the amount of Merger Consideration payable per Merger Share shall be correspondingly adjusted.

          (g) For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge and agree that the contribution of Shares (including Restricted Shares) to Parent pursuant to any agreements with holders of Shares (including Restricted Shares) shall be deemed to occur immediately prior to the Effective Time and prior to any other above-described event.

     Section 3.2 Payment of Cash for Merger Shares .

          (a) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall (i) designate a bank or trust company that is reasonably satisfactory to Parent (the “ Paying Agent ”) and (ii) enter into a paying agent agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, with such Paying Agent, to serve as the Paying Agent for the Merger Consideration and payments in respect of the Company Options, RSUs and Net SPP Payments, unless another agent is designated as provided in Section 3.3(a) , Section 3.3(c) and Section 3.3(d) . Immediately following the Effective Time, Parent and/or the Surviving Corporation will deposit, or Parent

shall cause the Surviving Corporation to deposit, with the Paying Agent cash in the aggregate amount sufficient to pay the Merger Consideration in respect of all Merger Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time plus any cash necessary to pay for Company Options and RSUs outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, as well as for Net SPP Payments, pursuant to Section 3.3(a) , Section 3.3(c) and Section 3.3(d) . Pending distribution of the cash deposited with the Paying Agent, such cash shall be held in trust for the benefit of the holders of Merger Shares, RSUs and Company Options outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, as well as for Net SPP Payments, and shall not be used for any other purposes; provided , however , that the Surviving Corporation may direct the Paying Agent to invest such cash in (i) obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof, (ii) money market accounts, certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreement or banker’s acceptances of, or demand deposits with, commercial banks having a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000 (based on the most recent financial statements of such bank which are publicly available), or (iii) commercial paper obligations rated P-1 or A-1 or better by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. Any profit or loss resulting from, or interest and other income produced by, such investments shall be for the account of the Surviving Corporation.

          (b) As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall send, or cause the Paying Agent to send, to each record holder of Merger Shares entitled to receive the Merger Consideration a letter of transmittal and instructions for exchanging their Merger Shares for the Merger Consideration payable therefor. The letter of transmittal will be in customary form and will specify that delivery of Certificates (or effective affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) will be effected, and risk of loss and title will pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates (or effective affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) to the Paying Agent. Upon surrender of Certificate or Certificates (or effective affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) to the Paying Agent together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and any other documentation that the Paying Agent may reasonably require, the record holder thereof shall be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration payable in exchange therefor, less any amounts required to be withheld for Tax. Until so surrendered and exchanged, each such Certificate shall, after the Effective Time, be deemed to represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration, and until such surrender and exchange, no cash shall be paid to the holder of such outstanding Certificate in respect thereof.

          (c) If payment is to be made to a Person other than the registered holder of the Merger Shares formerly represented by the Certificate or Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor, it shall be a condition to such payment that the Certificate or Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the Person requesting such payment shall pay to the Paying Agent any applicable stock transfer taxes required as a result of such payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such Merger Shares or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Paying Agent that such stock transfer taxes have been paid or are not payable.

          (d) After the Effective Time, there shall be no further transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company of the Shares that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time other than to settle transfers of Shares that occurred prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Paying

Agent, such shares shall be canceled and exchanged for the consideration provided for, and in accordance with the procedures set forth, in this Article III .

          (e) If any cash deposited with the Paying Agent remains unclaimed twelve months after the Effective Time, such cash shall be returned to the Surviving Corporation upon demand, and any holder who has not surrendered such holder’s Certificates for the Merger Consideration prior to that time shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of the Merger Consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any holder of Certificates for any amount paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable unclaimed property laws. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of Certificates as of a date immediately prior to such time that such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any Governmental Authority shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation on such date, free and clear of any claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.

          (f) No dividends or other distributions with respect to capital stock of the Surviving Corporation with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate, including Dissenting Shares.

          (g) From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Shares (other than Dissenting Shares) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Shares, other than the right to receive the Merger Consideration as provided in this Agreement.

          (h) In the event that any Certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, in addition to the posting by such holder of any bond in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Surviving Corporation with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the proper amount of the Merger Consideration in respect thereof entitled to be received pursuant to this Agreement.

          (i) Parent, the Surviving Corporation and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger Consideration otherwise payable hereunder and any amounts to be paid hereunder in respect of Company Options, RSUs or Net SPP Payments any amounts required to be deducted and withheld under any applicable Tax Law. To the extent any amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be timely paid to the applicable Tax authority and shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the holder from whose Merger Consideration (or amounts payable hereunder with respect to Company Options, RSUs or Net SPP Payments) the amounts were so deducted and withheld.

     Section 3.3 Treatment of Options and Other Awards .

          (a) As of the Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed by Parent and the holder of Company Options with respect to such holder’s Company Options, each Company Option will be cancelled and extinguished, and the holder thereof will be entitled to receive an

amount in cash equal to the excess (if any) of (A) the product of (i) the number of Shares subject to such Company Option and (ii) the Merger Consideration over (B) the aggregate exercise price of such Company Option, without interest and less any amounts required to be deducted and withheld under any applicable Law. All payments with respect to canceled Company Options shall be made by the Paying Agent (or such other agent reasonably acceptable to Parent as the Company shall designate prior to the Effective Time) as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time from funds deposited by or at the direction of the Surviving Corporation to pay such amounts in accordance with Section 3.2(a) .

          (b) As of the Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed by Parent and the holder of a Share subject to vesting or other lapse restrictions pursuant to any Company Stock Plan or any applicable restricted stock award agreement (each a “ Restricted Share ”) with respect to such holder’s Restricted Shares, each Restricted Share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall vest and become free of such restrictions as of the Effective Time and shall, as of the Effective Time, be canceled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with Section 3.1(d) .

          (c) As of the Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed by Parent and the holder of awards of a right under any Company Stock Plan entitling the holder thereof to Restricted Shares, shares of Common Stock or cash equal to or based on the value of Common Stock (collectively, “ RSUs ”) with respect to such holder’s RSUs, each RSU outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall vest, if applicable, and become free of any lapse restriction (without regard to whether the RSUs are then vested or the applicable restrictions have lapsed) and, as of the Effective Time be canceled, and at the Effective Time, the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the (i) product of (A) the number of Shares previously subject to such RSU and (B) the Merger Consideration, and (ii) the value of any deemed dividend equivalents accrued but unpaid with respect to such RSUs, less any amounts required to be withheld under any applicable Law. All payments with respect to canceled RSUs shall be made by the Paying Agent (or such other agent reasonably acceptable to Parent as the Company shall designate prior to the Effective Time) as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time from funds deposited by or at the direction of the Surviving Corporation to pay such amounts in accordance with Section 3.2(a) .

          (d) At the Effective Time, all amounts withheld by the Company on behalf of the participants in the Company’s Amended and Restated Management Stock Purchase Plan and the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ Stock Purchase Plans ”, and such participants, the “ Participants ”) from the beginning of the applicable existing salary reduction periods through the Effective Time will be deemed to have been used to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Plans, using the Effective Time as the last date of the applicable salary reduction period under the Stock Purchase Plans (the “ Deemed Purchase ”) and each such share of Common Stock will be deemed to have been cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, such that, as of the Effective Time, on a net basis, each Participant shall be entitled to receive, without interest and less any amounts required to be deducted and withheld under any applicable Law, (i) a refund by the Company of all reductions made pursuant to the Stock Purchase Plans by the Participant during the applicable existing salary reduction periods and (ii) an amount in cash equal to the excess (if any) of (A) the product of (1) the number of Shares that the Participant is deemed to have acquired pursuant to

the terms of the applicable Stock Purchase Plan pursuant to the applicable Deemed Purchase and (2) the Merger Consideration, over (B) the aggregate amount of the Participant’s purchase price deemed to have been paid in the Deemed Purchase (such cash amount described in (ii) being the “ Net SPP Payment ”). All Net SPP Payments shall be paid by the Paying Agent (or such other agent reasonably acceptable to Parent as the Company shall designate prior to the Effective Time) as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time from funds deposited by or at the direction of the Surviving Corporation to pay such amounts in accordance with Section 3.2(a) . However, in connection with the foregoing, if and to the extent permitted by the applicable Stock Purchase Plan, on or after the date of this Agreement, in no event (i) shall any person who is not currently participating in any Stock Purchase Plan be permitted to begin participating in any Stock Purchase Plan, and (ii) shall any person who is currently participating in any Stock Purchase Plan be permitted to increase the level of salary reduction amount that may otherwise be deemed used to purchase shares of Common Stock under any Stock Purchase Plan from that level of salary reduction amount in effect as of the date of this Agreement; and provided , further , that in no event may any new salary reduction period commence after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time.

          (e) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will (i) (A) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain any consents from the holders of Company Options, and (B) to the extent the Company does not obtain all of such consents, make any amendments to the terms of any Company Stock Plan that in the case of either clause (A) or (B), are necessary to give effect to the transactions contemplated by Section 3.3(a) and (ii) adopt such resolutions and will take such other actions as may be reasonably required to effectuate the actions contemplated by this Section 3.3 , without paying any consideration or incurring any debts or obligations on behalf of the Company or the Surviving Corporation.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     Except as set forth in the corresponding sections or subsections of the disclosure letter delivered to Parent and Merger Sub by the Company concurrently with entering into this Agreement (the “ Company Disclosure Letter ”) (it being agreed that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to be disclosed with respect to any other section or subsection to which the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent) or as may be disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement (other than disclosure that constitutes a “risk factor” or a “forward looking statement” under the heading “Forward Looking Statements” in any such Company SEC Reports, provided, however, that any such “risk factor” or “forward looking statement” disclosure shall not supersede or otherwise limit the effectiveness of similar disclosure made in the exceptions set forth in clauses (A) through (J) in the definition of Material Adverse Effect on the Company or in the Company Disclosure Letter), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

     Section 4.1 Corporate Existence and Power . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing), except in

the case of the Company’s Subsidiaries, where the failure to be so organized, existing and in good standing has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has all corporate or similar powers and authority required to own, lease and operate its respective properties and to carry on its business as now conducted, except in the case of the Company’s Subsidiaries, where the failure to have such power and authority has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is in violation of its organizational or governing documents in any material respect.

     Section 4.2 Corporate Authorization .

          (a) The Company has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to the adoption of this Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “ Requisite Stockholder Vote ”), to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and to perform each of its obligations hereunder. The termination of the Prior Merger Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Except for the adoption of this Agreement by the Requisite Stockholder Vote, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of the Company, following the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, at a duly held meeting has (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders (other than holders of Shares that are Affiliates of Parent), and declared it advisable, to terminate the Prior Merger Agreement and enter into this Agreement, (ii) approved the termination of the Prior Merger Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and (iii) resolved to recommend that the stockholders of the Company approve the adoption of this Agreement and directed that such matter be submitted for consideration of the stockholders of the Company at the Company Stockholder Meeting.

          (b) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due and valid execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles.

     Section 4.3 Governmental Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the Merger do not

and will not require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, action by, filing with or notification to any Governmental Authority, other than (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger; (ii) compliance with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act; (iii) the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act including the filing of the Company Proxy Statement; (iv) compliance with the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange; (v) compliance with any applicable state securities or blue sky laws; (vi) the consents and/or notices listed in Schedule 4.3 of the Company Disclosure Letter; and (vii) any such consent, approval, authorization, permit, action, filing or notification the failure of which to make or obtain would not (A) individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or (B) reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.

     Section 4.4 Non-Contravention . The termination of the Prior Merger Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene or conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of, the organizational or governing documents of (A) the Company or (B) any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) assuming compliance with the matters referenced in Section 4.3 and the receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Vote, contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of any provision of any Law binding upon or applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets; (iii) require the consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to or filing with any third party with respect to, or result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) or result in the loss of benefit under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of, any right or obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, Real Property Lease, license, permit or other instrument or obligation (each, a “ Contract ”) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or any of their respective properties or assets are bound, except in the case of clauses (i)(B), (ii) and (iii) above, which would not (A) individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or (B) reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.

     Section 4.5 Capitalization .

          (a) The authorized share capital of the Company consists of 120,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”), of which 90,000 shares are designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. As of February 28, 2007, there were (i) (A) 89,111,035 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding (including 1,415,031 Restricted Shares), and (B) no shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, (ii) Company Options to purchase an aggregate of 6,771,437 shares of Common Stock, with a weighted average exercise price of $33.79 per share, issued and outstanding and (iii) 1,083,737 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Stock Purchase Plans. The Company shall deliver a supplement to Schedule 4.5(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter to Parent no later than the close of business on March 20, 2007,

which supplement shall provide the numbers in clauses (i) — (iii) in the immediately preceding sentence as of the close of business on March 19, 2007. Between February 28, 2006 and the date of this Agreement, the Company has not issued any Shares, shares of Preferred Stock or Company Options other than issuances that would not have been prohibited under Section 6.1(m) if such issuances had occurred between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time. All outstanding Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar right, purchase option, call or right of first refusal or similar right. No Subsidiaries of the Company own any Shares or any other equity securities of the Company.

          (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter and except with respect to the Stock Purchase Plans, there have not been reserved for issuance, and there are no outstanding: (i) shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company; (ii) securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Company Options; (iii) Company Options or other rights or options to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any shares of capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; or (iv) equity equivalent interests in the ownership or earnings of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other similar rights (the items in clauses (i) through (iv) collectively, “ Company Securities ”). There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Securities. There are no preemptive rights of any kind which obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue or deliver any Company Securities. There are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound relating to the voting or registration of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or preemptive rights with respect thereto.

          (c) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, since September 30, 2006, the Company has not declared or paid any dividend or distribution in respect of any Company Securities issued by the Company other than the issuance of shares upon the exercise of Company Options, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has issued, sold, repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any Company Securities issued by the Company, and their respective Boards of Directors have not authorized any of the foregoing.

          (d) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any commitment, arrangement or agreement, or are otherwise obligated, to contribute capital, loan money or otherwise provide funds or make additional investments in any Company Joint Venture, Minority Joint Venture or any other Person, other than Intercompany Debt and other than any such commitment, arrangement or agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

          (e) No bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness having the right to vote generally on any matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote are outstanding.

     Section 4.6 Company Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures .

          (a) Schedule 4.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all the Company’s Subsidiaries.

          (b) Schedule 4.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all Company Joint Ventures and all Minority Joint Ventures.

          (c) All equity interests of any Subsidiary and any Minority Joint Venture held by the Company or any other Subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights, purchase option, call, or right of first refusal or similar rights. All such equity interests are free and clear of any Liens or any other limitations or restrictions on such equity interests (including any limitation or restriction on the right to vote, pledge or sell or otherwise dispose of such equity interests) other than Permitted Liens. The Company has made available to Parent or its employees, consultants, agents, advisors, affiliates or other representatives true, correct and complete copies of the organizational or governing documents of the Company’s Subsidiaries, and to the Knowledge of the Company, the Minority Joint Ventures.

     Section 4.7 Reports and Financial Statements .

          (a) The Company has filed all forms, reports, statements, certifications and other documents (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act or other applicable United States federal securities Laws since January 1, 2004 (all such forms, reports, statements, certificates and other documents filed since January 1, 2004, with any amendments thereto, collectively, the “ Company SEC Reports ”), each of which, including any financial statements or schedules included therein, as finally amended prior to the date of this Agreement, has complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and Exchange Act as of the date filed with the SEC. None of the Company’s Subsidiaries is required to file periodic reports with the SEC. None of the Company SEC Reports when filed with the SEC and, if amended, as of the date of such amendment contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or incorporated by reference therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          (b) Each of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries included (or incorporated by reference) in the Company SEC Reports (including the related notes and schedules, where applicable) fairly presents (subject, in the case of the unaudited statements, to the absence of notes and normal year-end audit adjustments as permitted by the rules related to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q promulgated under the Exchange Act), in all material respects, the results of the consolidated operations and changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows and consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth. Each of such consolidated financial statements (including the related notes and schedules, where applicable) complies in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto and each of such financial statements

(including the related notes and schedules, where applicable) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except in each case as indicated in such statements or in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by the rules related to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q promulgated under the Exchange Act.

          (c) Except as has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the management of the Company (i) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, is made known to the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company by others within those entities and (ii) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date of this Agreement, to the Company’s outside auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (x) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (y) any fraud, known to the Company, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

     Section 4.8 Undisclosed Liabilities . Except (i) for those liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company (including the notes thereto) included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, (ii) for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since December 31, 2006, (iii) for liabilities that have been discharged or paid in full prior to the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business, (iv) for liabilities incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the termination of the Prior Merger Agreement, or (v) for liabilities that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued or contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due).

     Section 4.9 Disclosure Documents . The proxy statement relating to the Merger (the “ Company Proxy Statement ”) to be filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with seeking the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company will not, at the time it is first mailed to the stockholders of the Company, or at the time of the Company Stockholder Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Company will cause the Company Proxy Statement to comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act applicable thereto as of the date of such filing. No representation is made by the Company with respect to statements made in the Company Proxy Statement and any other documents required to be filed by the Company with the SEC relating to the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby based on information supplied, or required to be supplied, by Parent, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

     Section 4.10 Absence of Certain Changes or Events . Since December 31, 2005 to the date of this Agreement, except as otherwise contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, (i) there has not been any event, state of facts, circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and (ii) the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been carried on in all material respects in the ordinary course of business.

     Section 4.11 Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Minority Joint Ventures is a party to any, and there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, legal, administrative, arbitral or other material proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations (a “ Proceeding ”) of any nature against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any Minority Joint Venture, except for any Proceeding which (i) is not reasonably expected as of the date of this Agreement to involve an amount in controversy in excess of $10,000,000, or (ii) has not had, or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Minority Joint Ventures, or any of their businesses or properties are subject to or bound by any injunction, order, judgment, decree, settlement agreement, ruling or regulatory restriction of any Governmental Authority specifically imposed upon the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any Minority Joint Venture or their respective properties or assets, except for any injunction, order, judgment, decree, settlement agreement, ruling or regulatory restriction which has not had, or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

     Section 4.12 Contracts .

          (a) The Company has made available to Parent or its employees, consultants, agents, advisors, affiliates or other representatives, as of the date of this Agreement, true, correct and complete copies of (including all amendments or modification to), all Contracts (including with respect to personal property) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties or assets is bound that:

     (i) contain covenants that prohibit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or which, immediately following the consummation of the Merger, would prohibit the Surviving Corporation) from competing in any business or with any Person or in any geographic area, or acquiring any Person, except any such contract that may be cancelled without any penalty or other liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries upon notice of 60 days or less;

     (ii) were entered into after December 31, 2005 or not yet consummated, and involve the acquisition from another Person or disposition to another Person, directly or indirectly (by merger or otherwise), of assets or capital stock or other equity interests of another Person for aggregate consideration under such contract in

excess of $25,000,000 (other than acquisitions or dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business, including acquisitions and dispositions of inventory);

     (iii) other than an acquisition permitted under clause (ii) above, provide for aggregate commitments by the Company and/or its Subsidiaries of more than $25,000,000 over the remaining term of such Contract (other than Contracts providing for procurement of supplies in the ordinary course of business); and

     (iv) contain restrictions with respect to payment of dividends or any distributions in respect of the capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     Each Contract of the type described in clauses (i) through (iv) is referred to herein as a “ Material Contract .”

          (b) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (i) each Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company, or any Subsidiary that is a party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto and is in full force and effect, and (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have performed and complied with all obligations required to be performed or complied with by them under each Material Contract. There is no default under any Material Contract by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, by any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default thereunder by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, except which has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

     Section 4.13 Taxes .

     The representations and warranties contained in Section 4.7(b) , this Section 4.13 and Section 4.14 are the only representations and warranties being made by the Company with respect to Taxes related to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Minority Joint Venture or this Agreement or its subject matter, and no other representation or warranty contained in any other section of this Agreement shall apply to any such Tax matters and no other representation or warranty, express or implied, is being made with respect thereto.

          (a) All Tax Returns required to be filed with any Governmental Authority by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been properly prepared and timely filed, and all such Tax Returns (including information provided therewith or with respect thereto) are true, correct and complete, except for Tax Returns as to which the failure to so file or be true, correct and complete would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          (b) The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) have fully and timely paid all Taxes (whether or not shown to be due on the Tax Returns referred to in Section 4.13(a) , except for Taxes being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP and for Taxes as to which the failure to pay would not reasonably be

expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and (ii) have made adequate provision in the applicable financial statements in accordance with GAAP for any material Tax that is not yet due and payable for all taxable periods, or portions thereof, ending on or before the date of this Agreement, and there are no Liens for Taxes upon their assets other than (i) Permitted Liens and (ii) Liens which would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          (c) No audit or other Proceeding by any Governmental Authority is pending or threatened in writing with respect to any Taxes due from or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such audits, investigations and Proceedings that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. No deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that have not been paid, except for deficiencies (i) as to which adequate reserves have been established, (ii) which have been set forth in Schedule 4.13(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter or (iii) as to which the failure to pay would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has entered into a “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state or local income Tax Law) executed prior to the Closing date that would require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period after the Closing Date, which would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          (d) There are no Tax sharing agreements (or similar agreements) under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could be liable for the Tax liability of an entity that is neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, except for (i) the HCA Tax Sharing Agreement, and (ii) such agreements that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          (e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have entered into a “listed transaction” that has given rise to a disclosure obligation under Section 6011 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and that has not been disclosed in the relevant Tax Return of the Company, or relevant Subsidiary.

          (f) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has made available to Parent or its employees, consultants, agents, advisors, affiliates or other representatives all material ruling requests, private letter rulings, notices of proposed deficiencies, closing agreements, settlement agreements, and similar documents sent to or received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on or after January 1, 2002, relating to any material Taxes.

          (g) There are no outstanding agreements extending or waiving the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection, assessment or reassessment of any material Taxes due from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any taxable period and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.

     Section 4.14 ERISA .

          (a) With respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, including multiemployer plans within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(37) and all stock purchase, stock option, severance, employment, change-in-control, fringe benefit, collective bargaining, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation and other material employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies or other arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA, whether formal or informal, under which any Company Employee has any present or future right to benefits, or which is maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries otherwise has any present or future liability (the “ Company Benefit Plans ”), individually and in the aggregate, no event has occurred and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there exists no condition or set of circumstances, in connection with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could be subject to any liability that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company under ERISA, the Code or any other applicable Law and no nonexempt “prohibited transaction” (as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code) or “accumulated funding deficiency” (as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code (whether or not waived)) has occurred with respect to any Company Benefit Plan which would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Any Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or is reasonably expected to receive a favorable determination letter from the IRS covering all of the material provisions applicable to the Company Benefit Plan for which determination letters are currently available that the Company Benefit Plan is so qualified. With respect to each Company Benefit Plan that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code, as of the date hereof: (i) no reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived has occurred in the past six years; (ii) all premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “ PBGC ”) have been timely paid in full; (iii) no material liability (other than for premiums to the PBGC) under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurre