TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORP
SC 14D9/A, 1997-06-18
HOSPITALS
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                               ----------------
 
                                 SCHEDULE 14D-9
                                AMENDMENT NO. 5
 
               SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
            SECTION 14(D)(4) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                               ----------------
 
                       TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION
                           (NAME OF SUBJECT COMPANY)
 
                       TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION
                      (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING STATEMENT)
 
             COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE, INCLUDING THE
  ASSOCIATED RIGHTS TO PURCHASE SERIES B JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
                         (TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
 
                                   20 401 510
                     (CUSIP NUMBER OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
 
                                RICHARD L. CONTE
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION
                            5110 WEST SAHARA AVENUE
                            LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89102
                                 (702) 257-3600
            (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON AUTHORIZED
                      TO RECEIVE NOTICE AND COMMUNICATIONS
               ON BEHALF OF THE PERSON(S) FILING THIS STATEMENT)
 
                               ----------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
          STEPHEN D. SILBERT, ESQ.                          JULIA L. KOPTA, ESQ.
     CHRISTENSEN, MILLER, FINK, JACOBS,         EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
         GLASER, WEIL & SHAPIRO, LLP                 TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION
    2121 AVENUE OF THE STARS, SUITE 1800                  5110 WEST SAHARA AVENUE
        LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90067                     LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89102
               (310) 553-3000                                  (702) 257-3600
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
  This Amendment No. 5 is filed to supplement and amend the information set
forth in the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 dated May
19, 1997, as amended by Amendment Nos. 1 through 4 thereto (as amended, the
"Schedule 14D-9"), filed by Transitional Hospitals Corporation, a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"), relating to the tender offer of LV Acquisition
Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Purchaser") and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Vencor, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Vencor"), to purchase all the
outstanding common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), of the
Company, including the associated rights to purchase Series B Junior
Participating Preferred Stock (the "Rights") upon the terms and conditions set
forth in the Schedule 14D-1 dated May 7, 1997, as amended (the "Schedule 14-D-
1"), filed by Purchaser and Vencor. Capitalized terms used and not defined
herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Schedule 14D-9. The
description in this Schedule 14D-9 of any agreement, instrument, document or
portion thereof filed as an exhibit to this Schedule 14D-9 is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the copy of such agreement, instrument, document or
portion thereof filed as such exhibit hereto.
 
  On May 2, 1997 the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Select Merger Agreement") with Select Medical Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Select"), and SM Acquisition Co., a Nevada corporation ("SM
Acquisition") and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Select. The Select Merger
Agreement provided for the merger of the Company with SM Acquisition (the
"Select Merger"). In the Select Merger, among other things, each Share, other
than Shares held by the Company or by Select or any subsidiary of the Company
or Select, would be converted into the right to receive $14.55 in cash.
 
  On May 7, 1997 the Purchaser commenced a tender offer (the "Offer") for all
the outstanding Shares, including the associated Rights. In the Offer
Purchaser offered to pay $16.00 per Share (including the associated Rights).
On June 18, 1997 the Company terminated the Select Merger Agreement in
accordance with Section 9.1(g) thereof and paid Select a termination fee of
$19,415,000.
 
  On June 18, 1997 the Company, Purchaser and Vencor entered into that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Vencor Merger Agreement") pursuant to
which, among other things, the Company will be merged with Purchaser (the
"Vencor Merger") following consummation of the Amended Offer (as defined
herein). In the Vencor Merger, each Share, other than Shares owned by the
Company, Vencor, any subsidiary of Vencor or the Company, or any shareholder
exercising dissenters rights under Nevada law, will be converted into the
right to receive $16.00 in cash.
 
ITEM 2. TENDER OFFER OF THE BIDDER
 
  Item 2 of the Schedule 14D-9 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety
as follows:
 
    This Schedule 14D-9 relates to the tender offer by LV Acquisition Corp.,
  a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vencor, for all the
  outstanding Common Stock, together with the associated Rights, as amended
  pursuant to the terms of the Vencor Merger Agreement (the "Amended Offer").
  According to the Schedule 14D-1, the address of the principal executive
  offices of the Purchaser and Vencor is 3300 Providian Center, 400 West
  Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.
 
ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND
 
  Item 3 of the Schedule 14D-9 is hereby amended and supplemented by adding
thereto the following:
 
    Board Representation. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that upon
  consummation of the Amended Offer Vencor may cause the Company to take such
  action as is necessary to cause persons designated by Vencor to become
  directors of the Company so that the number of such persons designated by
  Vencor equals the number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number,
  which represents the product of (x) the total number of directors on the
  Board multiplied by (y) the percentage that the number of Shares so
  accepted for payment plus any Shares beneficially owned by Vencor or its
  affiliates as of the date of the Vencor Merger Agreement bears to the
  number of Shares outstanding on the date Shares are
 
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<PAGE>
 
  accepted for payment by Vencor, provided, however, that prior to the Vencor
  Merger Agreement the Board will always have at least two, and at the
  Company's election, three members (one of whom will be Richard Conte) who
  are neither officers of Vencor nor designees, stockholders or affiliates of
  Vencor. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company has agreed to increase
  the size of the Board or use its reasonable efforts to secure the
  resignations of present directors. The Articles of Incorporation of the
  Company provide that the number of directors will be between six and 11.
 
    Vencor has informed the Company that it intends to designate four of the
  following six persons: W. Bruce Lunsford, W. Earl Reed, III, Michael R.
  Barr, Thomas T. Ladt, Jill L. Force and James H. Gillenwater, Jr., to serve
  as directors of the Company following consummation of the Amended Offer.
  Mr. Conte, Wendy L. Simpson and Nigel Petrie are expected to remain as
  directors of the Company following consummation of the Amended Offer.
 
    Vencor Merger Agreement. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides certain
  benefits to the executive officers and directors of the Company, including
  provisions relating to indemnification and maintenance of officers' and
  directors' insurance. See "Item 8. Additional Information To Be Furnished--
  Vencor Merger Agreement."
 
    Foreign Operations. The Company has certain limited operations and
  projects in development outside the United States, including in the United
  Kingdom, Panama and Antiqua. Vencor has informed the Company that it is not
  interested in continuing such operations or projects in development and has
  [requested/suggested] that Mr. Conte make a proposal to acquire such
  operations and projects in development and although Mr. Conte intends to
  make such a proposal, he has not determined the terms of such proposal.
 
    The information set forth in Item 3 of the Schedule 14D-9 under the
  caption "Stock Options" is hereby amended and supplemented to add the
  following:
 
    The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that in the Vencor Merger holders of
  options having an exercise price less than $16.00 per share would receive
  upon exercise thereof a payment equal to the product of (i) the amount by
  which $16.00 exceeds the exercise price per Share subject to such options
  and (ii) the number of Shares subject to such options, less any required
  withholding of taxes. In addition, the Vencor Merger Agreement provides
  that prior to the expiration of the Amended Offer the Company may amend
  outstanding stock options having an exercise price less than $16.00 per
  Share to provide that the holders thereof need not tender any exercise
  price therefor and that upon exercise such holders will receive an amount
  equal to the product of (x) the amount by which the exercise price thereof
  is less than $16.00 and the number of Shares issuable pursuant to the
  exercise of such options.
 
ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION
 
  Item 4 of the Schedule 14D-9 is hereby amended and supplemented by adding
thereto the following:
 
    The Board, after considering the opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co.
  Incorporated (the "Financial Advisor") that the consideration to be paid to
  the Company's stockholders is fair from a financial point of view, has
  unanimously voted (with Mr. Conte and Ms. Simpson abstaining) that the
  Amended Offer is fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its
  stockholders and has unanimously approved (with Mr. Conte and Ms. Simpson
  abstaining) the terms and conditions of the Vencor Merger Agreement. The
  Board recommends that the Company's stockholders accept the Amended Offer
  and tender their Shares pursuant thereto.
 
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<PAGE>
 
    In reaching its conclusion and recommendation described above, the Board
  considered a number of factors, including without limitation the opinion of
  the Financial Advisor that the Amended Offer is fair from a financial point
  of view and the following:
 
    .  The price to be paid by the Company's stockholders represents a
       substantial premium over the market prices for the Shares prior to
       the announcement by the Company on April 24, 1997 that the Company
       had received expressions of interest from various parties interested
       in acquiring the Company. On April 23, 1997, the last trading day
       prior to such announcement, the closing price of the Shares was
       $9.75 per Share. The price to be paid by Vencor is $.50 per Share
       higher than the highest price offered by Select.
 
    .  The transaction allows stockholders to receive a substantial return
       on their investment without waiting for the Company to effectuate
       its growth strategy. Generally, it takes six months for each new
       hospital to become eligible for full Medicare reimbursement. During
       such period, the hospitals generally incur significant loses. It
       could take the market much longer to reflect the value of the
       Company if it were to continue its growth plan.
 
    .  The consideration to be received by stockholders represents what is
       believed to be the full value for the Company's transitional
       hospitals line of business.
 
    .  The transaction allows stockholders to immediately realize what is
       believed to be a high value for the Behavioral Healthcare
       Corporation ("BHC") stock owned by the Company. The transfer
       restrictions and the large block of stock owned by the Company make
       it difficult to dispose of the stock, other than in connection with
       the sale of BHC. Although BHC has considered certain transactions,
       there is no assurance that BHC will be sold or that the
       consideration received by the Company in a sale would be such that
       the Company and the stockholders could immediately realize value.
 
    .  The Company's business is subject to changing competitive conditions
       arising from changes in the health care industry, including those
       that may arise from governmental and private health care reform
       initiatives which may be enacted in the future. There is no
       assurance as to how the Company would be able to compete in the
       future.
 
    .  The restrictions placed upon health care providers by governmental
       authorities and third party payors are changing. The effect of any
       additional restrictions on the Company and its ability to continue
       its business as presently conducted is uncertain.
 
    .  The transaction offers attractive terms relative to market prices
       and financial data relating to other companies engaged in the same
       or similar lines of businesses as the Company and relative to the
       consideration paid in comparable acquisition transactions.
 
    In view of the wide variety of material factors considered in connection
  with the evaluation of the Merger, the Board did not find it practicable
  to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative weights
  to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination.
 
ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES
 
  Item 6(b) of the Schedule 14D-9 is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
 
    To the knowledge of the Company, all of its executive officers,
  directors, affiliates or subsidiaries who are also stockholders intend to
  either tender their Shares in the Amended Offer or vote in favor of the
  Vencor Merger. In addition, the Vencor Merger Agreement provides that prior
  to the expiration of the Amended Offer the Company may amend each
  outstanding stock option having an exercise price less than $16.00 per
  Share to provide that the holder thereof need not tender any exercise price
  therefor and that upon exercise such holder will receive an amount equal to
  the product of (x) the amount by which the exercise price thereof is less
  than $16.00 and (y) the number of Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise
  of such
 
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<PAGE>
 
  option. To the knowledge of the Company, all of the executive officers,
  directors and affiliates intend to exercise all options having an exercise
  price less than $16.00 per Share prior to or promptly following the
  consummation of the Amended Offer.
 
ITEM 7. CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS BY THE COMPANY
 
  Item 7 of the Schedule 14D-9 is hereby amended and supplemented by adding
thereto the following:
 
    On June 12, 1997, pursuant to Section 9.2(g) of the Select Merger
  Agreement, the Company notified Select and SM Acquisition of Company's
  intent to terminate the Select Merger Agreement. Thereafter, Select
  informed the Company that it would not propose any further amendments to
  the Select Merger Agreement. On June 18, 1997 the Company terminated the
  Select Merger Agreement and paid a $19,415,000 termination fee.
 
    On June 18, 1997 the Company entered into the Vencor Merger Agreement.
  For a summary of the Vencor Merger Agreement see "Item 8. Additional
  Information to Be Furnished--Vencor Merger Agreement."
 
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED
 
  Item 8 of the Schedule 14D-9 is hereby amended and supplemented by adding
thereto the following:
 
    Vencor Merger Agreement. The following is a summary of the Vencor Merger
  Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 99.23 to the Schedule 14D-9
  and incorporated herein by reference.
 
    General. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that Vencor will proceed
  with the Amended Offer. The Vencor Merger Agreement further provides that,
  without the prior written consent of Company, the Purchaser will not
  decrease the Offer Consideration (as defined in the Vencor Merger
  Agreement) or waive the Minimum Condition (as defined in the Vencor Merger
  Agreement), impose additional conditions to the Amended Offer, extend the
  expiration date of the Amended Offer (the "Expiration Date") if the
  conditions to the Amended Offer have been satisfied, provided that none of
  the conditions which are not to be in existence after June 12, 1997 and
  prior to the expiration date are existing at such time, or amend any other
  term of the Amended Offer in any manner adverse to the holders of Shares.
  In addition, the Vencor Merger Agreement provides that the Purchaser will
  extend the expiration date until such time as the conditions to the Amended
  Offer have been satisfied, provided that no single extension will be for
  more than ten business days.
 
    The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that as promptly as practicable
  following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions thereto, the
  Purchaser will be merged with and into Company (the "Effective Time"). At
  the Effective Time, each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to
  the Effective Time (other than Shares owned by Vencor, the Company or their
  respective affiliates, or Shares which are held by stockholders exercising
  appraisal rights ("Dissenting Stockholders") pursuant to Section 92A.380 of
  the Nevada Revised Statutes (the "NRS")) will, by virtue of the Vencor
  Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be
  converted into the right to receive, without interest, an amount in cash
  equal to the Offer Consideration.
 
    The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that the directors of the Purchaser
  at the Effective Time will be the initial directors of the Company
  following the Vencor Merger (sometimes referred to with respect to the
  period following the Vencor Merger as the "Surviving Corporation") and the
  officers of the Purchaser at the Effective Time will be the initial
  officers of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office from the
  Effective Time until their respective successors are duly elected or
  appointed and qualify in the manner provided in the Articles of
  Incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation or as otherwise
  provided by law.
 
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<PAGE>
 
    Directors Following the Vencor Merger. The Vencor Merger Agreement
  provides that following the acceptance of payment of Shares by the
  Purchaser, if requested by Vencor, the Company will promptly take all
  actions necessary to cause persons designated by Vencor to become directors
  of the Company so that the total number of such persons equals that number
  of directors, rounded up to the next whole number, which represents the
  product of (x) the total number of directors on the Company Board
  multiplied (y) the percentage that the number of Shares accepted for
  payment by the Purchaser plus any Shares beneficially owned by Vencor or
  its affiliates on the date of the Vencor Merger Agreement bears to the
  number of Shares outstanding at the time of acceptance for payment. The
  Company has agreed that it will increase the size of the Company Board, or
  use its reasonable efforts to secure the resignation of directors, or both,
  as is necessary to permit Vencor's designees to be elected to the Company
  Board. The Vencor Merger Agreement further provides that, prior to the
  Effective Time, the Company Board will always have at least two, and at the
  Company's election three, members (one of whom will be Richard Conte) who
  are neither officers of Vencor nor designees, stockholders or affiliates of
  Vencor ("Vencor Insiders"). No action taken by the Company Board with
  respect to termination, waiver and amendment of the Vencor Merger Agreement
  will be effective unless it is approved by the vote of at least a majority
  of the directors of the Company who are not Vencor Insiders.
 
    Representations and Warranties. The Vencor Merger Agreement contains
  customary representations and warranties of Vencor and the Company. The
  representations and warranties are qualified so that they are deemed to be
  accurate so long as any inaccuracy would not have a material adverse effect
  on either the Company or Vencor, and their respective subsidiaries taken as
  a whole. Among the representations and warranties supplied by the Company,
  the Company has represented and warranted (i) to the Company's knowledge
  there has not been any material adverse change with respect to the
  financial condition, results of operations, properties, assets or
  liabilities of Behavioral Healthcare Corporation and its subsidiaries,
  taken as a whole, (ii) that the Company Board has taken all appropriate
  action so that (A) neither Vencor nor the Purchaser will be an "interested
  stockholder" within the meaning of the Nevada Business Combination Statute
  by virtue of the execution of the Vencor Merger Agreement and (B) the entry
  into the Vencor Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
  contemplated hereunder shall be exempted from the provisions of the Nevada
  Control Share Acquisition Statute, (iii) that the Company has amended the
  Rights Agreement to provide that none of Vencor, the Purchaser or any of
  their respective affiliates or associates will be deemed to be an Acquiring
  Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and that the Distribution Date
  (as defined in the Rights Agreement) will not be deemed to occur, and the
  Rights will not separate from the Shares, as a result of the commencement
  of the Amended Offer or as a result of consummation of the transactions
  contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (iv) that the Select Medical
  Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms and that
  the Company is not required to make any payment to Select, SM Acquisition
  or any of their respective affiliates except pursuant to Section 9.2 of the
  Select Merger Agreement.
 
    Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger. The Vencor Merger
  Agreement provides that from the date of the Vencor Merger Agreement until
  the earlier of (i) the time that persons designated by Vencor are appointed
  as directors of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Vencor Merger
  Agreement and (ii) the Effective Time, with certain exceptions: (A) the
  business of the Company will be conducted only in the ordinary and usual
  course of business and consistent with past practice, and there will be no
  material change in the conduct of the operations of the Company and the
  Company's subsidiaries taken as a whole, and the Company will use its
  reasonable best efforts to preserve its business organization intact,
  maintain its existing relations with customers, suppliers, employees and
  business associates, and preserve the goodwill of those having business
  relationships with it; (B) the Company will not (I) sell or pledge or agree
  to sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any stock or other equity interests
  owned by it or any of its subsidiaries; (II) amend its Articles of
  Incorporation or by-laws or, except as contemplated by the Vencor Merger
  Agreement, amend, modify, consummate or redeem the Rights Agreement or
  Rights; (III) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its outstanding
  capital stock; or (IV) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
  distribution payable in cash, stock or property, or redeem or otherwise
  acquire any shares of its capital stock or shares of the capital stock of
  any of its subsidiaries; (C) neither the Company
 
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  nor any of its subsidiaries will (I) authorize for issuance, issue, pledge,
  dispose of, encumber or sell any additional shares of, or rights of any
  kind to acquire, any shares of or securities convertible or exchangeable
  for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind to
  acquire, its capital stock of any class (whether through the issuance or
  granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to
  purchase or otherwise), except for unissued Shares which may be issued upon
  the exercise or conversion of outstanding rights, options, warrants,
  commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase, or otherwise; (II) acquire,
  dispose of, transfer, lease, guarantee, license, mortgage, pledge or
  encumber any fixed or other assets in excess of $200,000 in any one or a
  series of related transactions or more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate
  other than ordinary course acquisitions of supplies used in the day-to-day
  operations of the Company; (III) incur, assume or prepay any indebtedness
  or any other material liabilities; (IV) assume, guarantee, endorse or
  otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or
  otherwise) for the obligations of any other person other than a wholly
  owned subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business and
  consistent with past practices in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 in the
  aggregate; (V) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
  investments in, any other person in an amount in excess of $200,000 in any
  one or series of related transactions or more than $1,000,000 in the
  aggregate; (VI) authorize capital expenditures, other than certain
  specified capital expenditures in excess of $200,000 in any one or a series
  of related transactions or $500,000 in the aggregate; or (VII) enter into
  any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of
  the foregoing; (D) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will
  make any change in the compensation payable or to become payable to any of
  its officers, directors or employees except pursuant to existing
  agreements, grant any severance or termination pay to, or enter into or
  amend any employment, severance, termination or other similar agreement,
  adopt any new employee benefit plan or amend any existing employee benefit
  plan or voluntarily accelerate the vesting of any stock options, restricted
  stock or other compensation or benefit or make any loans to any of its
  officers, directors or employees or make any changes in its existing
  borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of any of such persons,
  whether contingent on consummation of the Vencor Merger or otherwise, other
  than as may be required under applicable law or the terms of any existing
  employee benefit plan or agreement, provided, however, that the Company and
  its subsidiaries may amend any plan to provide for the effectuation thereof
  immediately prior to the expiration of the Amended Offer and/or the
  Effective Time so long as the amounts payable thereunder, individually or
  in the aggregate, are not increased; (E) neither the Company nor any of its
  subsidiaries will settle or compromise any material claims or litigation
  or, except in the ordinary and usual course of business, modify, amend or
  terminate any of its material contracts (as defined in the Vencor Merger
  Agreement) or waive, release, or assign any material rights or claims;
  (F) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will take, or omit to
  take, any action that is reasonably likely to cause any representation and
  warranty of the Company in the Vencor Merger Agreement to become untrue in
  any material respect; and (G) neither the Company nor any subsidiary will
  make any tax election or permit any insurance policy naming it as a
  beneficiary or a loss payable payee to be canceled or terminated without
  notice to Vencor, except in the ordinary and usual course of business.
 
    Acquisition Proposals. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that from the
  date of the Vencor Merger Agreement until its termination, the Company and
  its subsidiaries will not, and will cause their respective officers,
  directors, employees or other agents (including, without limitation,
  investment bankers, attorneys or accountants) not to, directly or
  indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, encourage, enter into any agreement or
  otherwise facilitate any offer or proposal for, or any indication of
  interest in, a merger or other business combination involving the Company
  or the acquisition of any equity interest in, or a substantial portion of
  the assets of the Company or any transaction that would conflict with or
  interfere with consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Vencor
  Merger Agreement, other than the transactions contemplated by the Vencor
  Merger Agreement and other than the sale of the hospital in Kirkland,
  Washington and the sale of real estate and buildings relating to hospitals
  formerly operated by the Company or one of its subsidiaries or certain
  specified real property at hospitals presently operated by the Company or
  any of its subsidiaries (any such proposal being an "Acquisition Proposal"
  and any such acquisitions or transaction being an "Acquisition
  Transaction"), or (ii) engage in or continue discussions
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
  or negotiations with, or disclose any nonpublic information relating to the
  Company or any of its subsidiaries, respectively, or afford access to their
  respective properties, books or records to, any person that may be
  considering making, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise
  facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Acquisition
  Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Vencor Merger Agreement
  provides that nothing contained in the Vencor Merger Agreement will
  prohibit the Company and the Company Board from (i) taking and disclosing a
  position with respect to a tender offer by a third party pursuant to Rules
  14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act, or
  (ii) furnishing information to, or entering into negotiations with, any
  person or entity that makes an unsolicited bona fide written proposal to
  acquire the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, share exchange,
  purchase of a substantial portion of the assets, business combination or
  other similar transaction, if, and only to the extent that, (i) the Company
  Board concludes in good faith (after consultation with its financial
  advisors) that such Acquisition Proposal is reasonably capable of being
  completed, taking into account all legal, financial and other aspects of
  the proposal and the person or entity making the proposal, and would, if
  consummated, result in a transaction more favorable to the Company's
  stockholders from a financial point of view than the transaction
  contemplated by the Vencor Merger Agreement and (ii) the Company Board
  determines in good faith upon advice of counsel that such action is
  required for the Company Board to comply with its fiduciary duties to
  stockholders imposed by law. Pursuant to the terms of the Vencor Merger
  Agreement, the Company has agreed that it will notify Vencor promptly if
  any such proposals or offers are received by, any such information is
  requested from, or any such discussion or negotiations are sought to be
  initiated or continued with, any of its representatives indicating, in
  connection with such notice, the name of such person and the terms and
  conditions of any proposals or offers and thereafter will keep Vencor
  informed, on a current basis, of the status and terms of any such proposals
  or offers and the status of any such discussions or negotiations.
 
    Proxy Statement; Stockholder Approval. Pursuant to the terms of the
  Vencor Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed, to the extent required, to
  hold a meeting of stockholders to approve the Vencor Merger.
 
    Treatment of Employee Stock Options. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides
  that at the Effective Time or, at the Company's election, prior to
  expiration of the Amended Offer, all outstanding options to purchase Shares
  ("Options") will immediately vest and become fully exercisable. The Vencor
  Merger Agreement also provides that at the Effective Time or, at the
  Company's election, prior to expiration of the Amended Offer, each Option
  with an exercise price of less than the Offer Consideration (a "Lower
  Priced Option") will be amended to provide that the holders need not tender
  any exercise price therefor and that upon exercise the holder shall receive
  an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the amount by which the Offer
  Consideration exceeds the exercise price per Share subject to the Lower
  Priced Option, and (ii) the number of Shares issuable pursuant to the
  unexercised portion of such Lower Priced Option, less any required
  withholding of taxes. Pursuant to the terms of the Vencor Merger Agreement,
  at such time, all other Options shall be converted into a right to receive,
  upon exercise of such Options (including payment of the exercise price of
  such Options), an amount equal to the product of (i) the Offer
  Consideration and (ii) the number of Shares issuable pursuant to the
  unexercised portion of such Option. Pursuant to the terms of the Vencor
  Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed that prior to the expiration date
  of the Amended Offer it will cancel the converging options issued to
  Richard Conte, Wendy Simpson, James Laughlin, Ronald Ooley and Julia Kopta
  under the Company's 1989 Stock Incentive Plan and shall use its best
  efforts to cancel all other converging options issued under such Plan. The
  Company agrees to take all action necessary to ensure that following the
  Effective Time, no participant in any Plan (as that term is defined in the
  Vencor Merger Agreement) shall have any right under such Plan to acquire
  equity securities of Vencor, Purchaser, Company, the Surviving Corporation
  or any of their Subsidiaries.
 
    Indemnification Rights. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that the
  Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation will
  contain provisions with respect to indemnification of individuals who at
  any time prior to the expiration of the Amended Offer (or at any time after
  expiration of the Amended Offer and prior to the Effective Time) were
  directors, officers, or otherwise entitled to indemnification thereunder
  (the "Indemnified Parties") which are at least as favorable to each
  Indemnified
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  Party as the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the Company as of the
  date of the Vencor Merger Agreement. The Vencor Merger Agreement further
  provides that the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving
  Corporation will not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a
  period of six years after the Effective Time in any manner that would
  adversely affect the rights thereunder of an Indemnified Party. The Vencor
  Merger Agreement also provides that for a period of six years from and
  after the Effective Time, Vencor and the Surviving Corporation will
  indemnify, defend and advance expenses in matters that may be subject to
  indemnification to the Indemnified Parties with respect to liabilities and
  claims (and related expenses) made against them resulting from their
  service as such prior to the Effective Time to the fullest extent permitted
  under, and subject to the requirements and other provisions of, the
  Company's Articles of Incorporation, by-laws and indemnification agreements
  in effect on the date of the Vencor Merger Agreement and applicable
  provisions of law. In addition, the Vencor Merger Agreement provides that
  for a period expiring six years after the expiration or termination of any
  consulting obligations under any agreement requiring any Indemnified Party
  to provide consulting services to Vencor or the Surviving Corporation
  following the expiration of the Amended Offer or the Effective Time,
  Vencor, the Company and the Surviving Corporation will indemnify, defend
  and advance expenses to Indemnified Parties in matters that would be
  subject to indemnification with respect to liabilities and claims (and
  related expenses) made against them resulting from their service as a
  consultant under any such agreement to the fullest extent permitted under,
  and subject to the requirements and other provisions of, the Company's
  Articles of Incorporation, by-laws, indemnification and consulting
  agreements in effect on the date of the Vencor Merger Agreement and
  applicable provisions of law.
 
    The Vencor Merger Agreement also provides that Vencor will cause to be
  maintained in effect for a period ending not sooner than the sixth
  anniversary of the Effective Time directors' and officers' liability
  insurance providing at least the same coverage with comparable carriers
  with respect to the Company's directors and officers as the policies
  maintained on behalf of directors and officers of the Company as of the
  date of the Vencor Merger Agreement, and containing terms and conditions
  which are no less advantageous, with respect to matters occurring on or
  prior to the Effective Time (to the extent such insurance is available with
  respect to such matters); provided, that in no event will Vencor be
  required to expend to maintain or procure insurance coverage an amount per
  annum in excess of 200% of the current annual premiums for the twelve-month
  period ended November 30, 1996 (the "Maximum Premium") with respect to such
  insurance, or, if the cost of such coverage exceeds the Maximum Premium,
  the maximum amount of coverage that can be purchased or maintained for the
  Maximum Premium. In addition, and without limiting any other provision of
  the Vencor Merger Agreement, in the event that any claim for which coverage
  under the Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance would be
  available is not paid by the insurer because such amount does not exceed
  the retention amount of such policy, Vencor and Purchaser will reimburse or
  pay or cause Company to reimburse or pay any amounts, up to an aggregate of
  $500,000 for all officers and directors, payable because such amount does
  not exceed the retention amount of such insurance policy.
 
    Expenses. The parties have agreed in the Vencor Merger Agreement that
  except with respect to expenses incurred in connection with the termination
  of the Vencor Merger Agreement (as described below), whether or not the
  Vencor Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
  with the Vencor Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
  will be paid by the party incurring such expenses except for certain other
  expenses that are to be shared equally by Vencor and the Company.
 
    Conditions to the Vencor Merger. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides
  that respective obligations of each party to the Vencor Merger Agreement to
  effect the Vencor Merger are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the
  Effective Time of the following conditions: (i) any waiting period
  applicable to the consummation of the Vencor Merger under the HSR Act
  having expired or been terminated, (ii) to the extent required by the NRS,
  the Vencor Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
  having been approved and adopted by the requisite vote or consent of the
  stockholders of the Company in accordance with applicable law, (iii) no
  court or other governmental or regulatory authority, agency,
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
  commission or other governmental entity, domestic or foreign ("Governmental
  Entity") of competent jurisdiction having enacted, issued, promulgated,
  enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, decree,
  preliminary or permanent injunction or other order which is in effect and
  prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Vencor
  Merger Agreement (collectively, an "Order"), (iv) each of the Company and
  Vencor having obtained such consents from Governmental Entities in addition
  to those required pursuant to the HSR Act as are required and which are
  material to Vencor or the Company and to consummation of the transactions
  contemplated by the Vencor Merger Agreement and (v) the Purchaser having
  purchased Shares pursuant to the Amended Offer.
 
    In addition to the conditions set forth above, the Vencor Merger
  Agreement provides that the obligation of the Company to effect the Vencor
  Merger is subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of
  the condition that each of Vencor and the Purchaser has performed in all
  material respects its obligations under the Vencor Merger Agreement
  required to be performed by it at or prior to the Effective Time and the
  representations and warranties of Vencor and the Purchaser contained in the
  Vencor Merger Agreement are true and correct in all material respects at
  and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time, except as
  contemplated by the Vencor Merger Agreement, and the Company having
  received a certificate of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
  Officer, the President or an Executive Vice President of Vencor as to the
  satisfaction of this condition.
 
    The Vencor Merger Agreement also provides that the obligations of Vencor
  and the Purchaser to effect the Vencor Merger are subject to the
  satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:
  that the Company has performed in all material respects its obligations
  under the Vencor Merger Agreement required to be performed by it at or
  prior to the earlier of (i) the time that persons designated by Vencor are
  appointed as directors of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Vencor
  Merger Agreement and (ii) the Effective Time, and the representations and
  warranties of the Company contained in the Vencor Merger Agreement are true
  and correct in all material respects at and as of the earlier of (i) the
  time that persons designated by Vencor are appointed as directors of the
  Company pursuant to the terms of the Vencor Merger Agreement and (ii) the
  Effective Time as if made at and as of such time, except as contemplated by
  the Vencor Merger Agreement, and Vencor and the Purchaser having received a
  certificate of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Operating Officer, or
  an Executive Vice President of the Company as to the satisfaction of this
  condition.
 
    Termination. Pursuant to the terms of the Vencor Merger Agreement, the
  Vencor Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time before the Effective
  Time, either before or after the approval of the stockholders of the
  Company has been obtained, in each case as authorized by either the Vencor
  Board or the Company Board by (i) mutual written consent of the parties;
  (ii) either Vencor or the Company, if the Vencor Merger has not been
  consummated on or before November 30, 1997 (the "Termination Date");
  provided, however, that this particular right to terminate is not available
  to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under the Vencor
  Merger Agreement has been directly or indirectly the cause of, or resulted
  in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before the Termination
  Date; (iii) either Vencor or the Company, if a court of competent
  jurisdiction or Governmental Entity has issued an order, decree or ruling
  or taken any other action (which order, decree or ruling the parties shall
  use their commercially reasonable efforts to lift), in each case
  permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transaction
  contemplated by the Vencor Merger Agreement and such order, decree, ruling
  or other action has become final and nonappealable; (iv) Vencor, if the
  Company is in material breach of its obligations under the Vencor Merger
  Agreement and such breach has not been cured within ten days of written
  notice thereof to the Company, (v) the Company, if Vencor or the Purchaser
  is in material breach of their respective obligations under the Vencor
  Merger Agreement and such breach has not been cured within ten days'
  written notice thereof to Vencor, (vi) Vencor, if the Company Board (A)
  withdraws or modifies (or publicly announces an intention to withdraw or
  modify) in any adverse manner its approval or recommendation of the Vencor
  Merger Agreement or the Vencor Merger, (B) approves or recommends any
  Acquisition Proposal, other than by a party to the Vencor Merger Agreement
  or an affiliate of Vencor or (C) resolves to take any of the actions
  specified in clauses (A) or (B) above; (vii) either Vencor or the Company,
  if any
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  required approval of the stockholders of the Company has not been obtained;
  (viii) the Company, upon five days' prior written notice to Vencor, if, as
  a result of a written Acquisition Proposal received by the Company from a
  person other than Vencor or any of its affiliates, the Company Board
  determines in good faith and in accordance with the conditions set forth in
  the Vencor Merger Agreement that the members' fiduciary obligations under
  applicable law require that such Acquisition Proposal be accepted,
  provided, however, that (A) the Company Board has determined in good faith,
  after considering applicable provisions of state law and after giving
  effect to all concessions, if any, which have been offered by Vencor
  pursuant to clause (B) below, on the basis of oral or written advice of
  outside counsel, that such action is required by the members' fiduciary
  obligations under applicable law, and (B) prior to any such termination,
  the Company negotiates with, and causes its respective financial and legal
  advisors to, negotiate with, Vencor to make such adjustments in the terms
  and conditions of the Vencor Merger Agreement as would enable such party to
  proceed with the transactions contemplated by the Vencor Merger Agreement;
  or (ix) Vencor if the Company Board fails to take any of the actions
  contemplated by the provisions of the Vencor Merger Agreement relating to
  the holding of a meeting of the stockholders of the Company.
 
    Effect of Termination. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that in the
  event of termination of the Vencor Merger Agreement pursuant to the terms
  of the Vencor Merger Agreement, the Vencor Merger Agreement will become
  void and there will be no liability on the part of any of the parties or
  any of their respective directors, officers, employees or representatives
  other than with respect to the payment of the termination fee and expenses
  set forth below and with respect to certain other provisions.
 
    The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that if (x)(i) the Offer and Amended
  Offer shall together in the aggregate have remained open for a minimum of
  at least 20 business days, (ii) a number of Shares necessary to satisfy the
  Minimum Condition shall not have been validly tendered and not withdrawn
  and the Offer is terminated without the purchase of any Shares, (iii) no
  Offer Order (as defined in Annex A to the Vencor Merger Agreement) shall be
  in effect, (iv) a competing Acquisition Proposal shall be made prior to
  termination of the Amended Offer and (v) the Company or any of its
  subsidiaries shall consummate an Acquisition Transaction within 18 months
  after the termination of the Vencor Merger Agreement which provides for a
  transaction equal to or more favorable from a financial point of view than
  the transactions contemplated by the Vencor Merger Agreement, or (y) Vencor
  shall have terminated the Vencor Merger Agreement pursuant to the
  provisions of the Vencor Merger Agreement permitting termination in the
  event of (A) the Company Board withdrawing its recommendation, (B) the
  Company Board approving an Acquisition Transaction or (C) the Company
  breaching the provision of the Vencor Merger Agreement relating to the
  holding of a meeting of the Company's stockholders or (z) the Company
  having terminated (or seeking to terminate) the Vencor Merger Agreement
  pursuant to the provision of the Vencor Merger Agreement permitting
  termination in the event of the acceptance of an Acquisition Proposal then
  at the request of Vencor, the Company will pay Vencor a fee of $17,415,000
  plus an amount equal to Vencor's out-of-pocket expenses up to $2,000,000,
  including fees and expenses paid to investment bankers, lawyers and
  financing sources, incurred in connection with the transactions
  contemplated by the Vencor Merger Agreement.
 
    Other. If Purchaser has not accepted Shares for payment pursuant to the
  Amended Offer on or before September 1, 1997 due to the existence of an
  Offer Order (as defined in Annex A to the Vencor Merger Agreement), Vencor
  and Purchaser have agreed to increase the Offer Consideration by an amount
  per Share equal to interest accruing on $16.00 from September 1, 1997 at a
  rate of 5% per annum. Vencor has also agreed to provide severance benefits
  to employees of the Company who would not otherwise be entitled to
  severance pursuant to any agreement with the Company who are terminated
  following consummation of the Amended Offer which are similar to those
  provided by Vencor in connection with its acquisition of TheraTx
  Incorporated.
 
    Amendment and Waiver. The Vencor Merger Agreement provides that subject
  to applicable provisions of the NRS, the Vencor Merger Agreement may be
  amended by the parties thereto pursuant to a writing adopted by action
  taken by all of the parties at any time before the Effective Time. The
  Vencor Merger
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
  Agreement further provides that at any time before the Effective Time, any
  party to the Vencor Merger Agreement may (i) extend the time for the
  performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties,
  (ii) waive, in whole or in part, any inaccuracies in the representations
  and warranties contained in the Vencor Merger Agreement or in any document
  delivered pursuant thereto or waive compliance with any of the agreements
  or conditions contained therein. The Vencor Merger Agreement also provides
  that any agreement on the part of a party to the Vencor Merger Agreement to
  any such extension or waiver will be valid only as against such party and
  only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by such party.
  Additionally, the Vencor Merger Agreement provides that at any time after
  the appointment of persons designated by Vencor or the Company pursuant to
  the terms of the Vencor Merger Agreement, a majority of the directors of
  the Company who are not Vencor Insiders may grant such extensions or
  waivers.
 
  The information contained in Item 8 of the Schedule 14D-9 under the caption
"Select Merger Agreement" is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the
following:
 
    On June 18, 1997 the Company terminated the Select Merger Agreement
  pursuant to Section 9.1 (g) thereof and paid a termination fee of
  $19,415,000.
 
  The information contained in Item 8 of the Schedule 14D-9 under the caption
"Rights Agreement" is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following:
 
    On May 15, 1997 the Board extended the Distribution Date under the Rights
  Agreement to the earlier of (i) June 3, 1997 and (ii) the date on which a
  person becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement). On
  May 30, 1997 the Board further extended the Distribution Date to the
  earlier of (i) June 10, 1997 and (ii) the date on which a person becomes an
  Acquiring Person. On June 9, 1997 the Board further extended the
  Distribution Date to the earlier of (i) June 17, 1997 and (ii) the date on
  which a person becomes an Acquiring Person. On June 12, 1997 the Board
  further extended the Distribution Date to the earlier of (i) June 18, 1997
  and (ii) the date on which a person becomes an Acquiring Person.
 
    On June 18, 1997 the Board of Directors unanimously authorized (with Mr.
  Conte and Ms. Simpson abstaining) the officers of the Company to enter into
  an amendment to the Rights Agreement dated June 21, 1996 (the "Rights
  Agreement") between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
  L.L.C., as rights agent, to provide that neither Vencor nor Purchaser will
  become an "Acquiring Person," that no "Trigger Event" or "Shares
  Acquisition Date" or "Distribution Date" (as such terms are defined in the
  Rights Agreement) will occur as a result of the Amended Offer or the Vencor
  Merger and that Section 7.1 of the Rights Agreement will not be triggered,
  in each case as a result of the announcement, commencement or consummation
  of the Amended Offer, the execution of the Vencor Merger Agreement or any
  amendment thereto or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
  thereby (including, without limitation, the Vencor Merger) with the effect
  that none of such events will trigger the exercisability of the Rights, the
  separation of the Rights from the stock certificates to which they are
  attached or any other provision of the Rights Agreement. A copy of the
  amendment to the Rights Agreement is filed as Exhibit 99.24 hereto and
  incorporated herein by reference.
 
  The information contained in Item 8 of the Schedule 14D-9 under the caption
"Nevada Control Share Acquisition Statute" is hereby amended and supplemented
by adding the following:
 
    On June 18, 1997 the Board of Directors unanimously voted (with Mr. Conte
  and Ms. Simpson abstaining) to amend the bylaws of the Company to provide
  that the Nevada Control Share Acquisition Statute will not apply to the
  Company.
 
  The information contained in Item 8 of the Schedule 14D-9 under the caption
"Nevada Business Combination Statute" is hereby amended and supplemented by
adding the following:
 
    On June 18, 1997 the Board of Directors unanimously voted (with Mr. Conte
  and Ms. Simpson abstaining) voted to approve the Vencor Merger Agreement.
  As a result, the Nevada Business Combination Statute will not apply to the
  Vencor Merger.
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS
 
  Item 9 of the Schedule 14D-9 is hereby amended and supplemented by adding
thereto the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT                          DESCRIPTION
   -------                          -----------
   <C>     <S>
   99.23   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 18, 1997 between the
           Company, the Purchaser and Vencor
   99.24   Amendment to Rights Agreement dated June 18, 1997
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE
 
  After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
 
Date: June 18, 1997                       TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION,
                                          a Nevada corporation
 
                                          By: /s/ Richard L. Conte
                                             ----------------------------------
                                          Name: Richard L. Conte
                                          Title: Chairman, Chief Executive
                                                 Officer and President
 
                                      13

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.23


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




                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                  By and Among

                                 VENCOR, INC.,

                              LV ACQUISITION CORP.

                                      and

                       TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION

                           Dated as of June 18, 1997



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



     This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of June 18,
1997, is made by and among Vencor, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"), LV
Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of
Parent ("Sub"), and Transitional Hospitals Corporation, a Nevada corporation
("Company").

     WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Sub and Company deem it
advisable and in the best interests of their respective stockholders that Sub
merge with and into Company (the "Merger"), and such Boards of Directors have
unanimously approved (with two directors of Company abstaining) the merger of
Sub with and into Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein;

     WHEREAS, on May 7, 1997, Sub commenced an offer to purchase (the "Offer")
all outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
"Shares"), of Company, including the associated rights to purchase (the
"Rights") Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Series B
Preferred") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996
(the "Rights Agreement"), between Company and Chase Mellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C. at a purchase price of $16.00 Share, net to the seller in cash, subject
to certain conditions and subject to increase as contemplated by Section 8.4 of 
this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Company, Parent and Sub have each
determined that it is in the best interests of their respective stockholders for
Sub to acquire Shares pursuant to the Offer, as amended pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement (the "Amended Offer");

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                            THE AMENDED TENDER OFFER

      Section 1.1  Amended Tender Offer.

     (a) Parent and Sub have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 with respect to the Offer
which contains (included as an exhibit) Sub's Offer to Purchase dated May 7,
1997 (the "Offer to

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
Purchase") and form of the related letter of transmittal (collectively, the
"Offer Documents"). As promptly as practicable (but no later than the third
business day after the date of this Agreement), Parent and Sub shall file with
the SEC an amendment to the Offer Documents (as so amended, and as the same may
be further amended or supplemented in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, the "Amended Offer Documents"), unless such Amended Offer Documents
shall have been filed on or prior to the date of this Agreement. The Amended
Offer Documents shall contain a supplement to the Offer to Purchase, which shall
be mailed to the holders of Shares and which shall describe this Agreement and
the negotiations preceding this Agreement and shall amend the Offer to provide
that the Offer shall only be subject to the conditions set forth in Annex A
hereto, and to extend the expiration date of the Amended Offer to 12:00
midnight, New York City time, on June 19, 1997; it being understood and agreed
that, except for the foregoing amendments or as otherwise provided herein, the
Amended Offer shall be on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as
the Offer. Without the prior written consent of Company, Sub shall not decrease
the price per Share or waive the Minimum Condition (as defined in Annex A),
impose additional conditions to the Amended Offer, extend the expiration date of
the Amended Offer if the conditions to the Amended Offer have been satisfied,
provided that none of the conditions set forth in Annex A are existing at such 
- -------- ----
time, or amend any other term of the Amended Offer in any manner adverse to 
the holders of Shares.  Sub shall extend the expiration date of the Offer 
until such time as the conditions to the Amended Offer have been satisfied, 
provided that no single extension shall be for more than 10 business days. 
- -------- ----                                                       
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended Offer, upon the expiration of
the Amended Offer, Parent will promptly pay for all Shares duly tendered.
Company's Board of Directors shall recommend acceptance of the Amended Offer to
its stockholders in an amendment to its Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on
Schedule 14D-9 (the "Schedule 14D-9") to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, provided that such recommendation may subsequently be withdrawn,
           -------- ----                        
modified or amended to the extent Company's Board of Directors determines in
good faith that the fiduciary duties of such Board of Directors under applicable
law require such withdrawal, modification or amendment.

     (b) Parent agrees, as to the Amended Offer Documents, and Company agrees,
as to the Schedule 14D-9, that such documents shall, in all material respects,
comply with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder and other
applicable laws.  Company and its counsel, as to the Amended Offer Documents,
and Sub and its counsel, as to the Schedule 14D-9, shall be given an opportunity
to review such documents (and any amendments thereto and any other submissions
to the SEC) prior to their being filed with the SEC.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     (c) In connection with the Offer, Company has caused its transfer agent to
furnish to Sub a list, as of a recent date, of the record holders of Shares and
their addresses, as well as a magnetic tape containing the names and addresses
of all record holders of Shares and lists of security positions of Shares held
in stock depositories. Company will furnish Sub with such additional information
(including, but not limited to, updated lists of holders of Shares and their
addresses, mailing labels and lists of security positions) and such other
assistance as Parent or Sub or their agents may reasonably request in
communicating the Amended Offer to the record and beneficial holders of Shares.

                                  ARTICLE II

                                   THE MERGER

      Section 2.1   The Merger.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
hereof, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 2.2 hereof), Sub shall be
merged with and into Company and the separate corporate existence of Sub shall
thereupon cease, and Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger
(the "Surviving Corporation") and shall continue to be governed by the laws of
the State of Nevada and the separate corporate existence of Company with all its
rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises shall continue unaffected
by the Merger, except as set forth in Section 3.1.  The Merger shall have the
effects set forth in Section 92A.250 of the General Corporation Law of the State
of Nevada (the "GCL").

      Section 2.2   Effective Time of The Merger.  The Merger shall be effective
when properly executed Articles of Merger ("Articles of Merger") are duly filed
by the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and a properly executed
certificate of merger ("Certificate of Merger") is duly filed with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware, which filings shall be made as soon as
practicable following the Closing (as hereinafter defined), and provided that
this Agreement has not been terminated or abandoned pursuant to Article X
hereof.  When used in this Agreement, the term "Effective Time" shall mean the
later of the date and time at which such Articles of Merger and Certificate of
Merger are so filed.

                                  ARTICLE III

                           THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

      Section 3.1   Articles of Incorporation.  The Articles of Incorporation of
Company in effect at the Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation, until duly amended in accordance with the terms
thereof and the GCL.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
      Section 3.2  By-Laws.  Subject to Section 8.7 hereof, the by-laws of
Company as in effect at the Effective Time shall be the by-laws of the surviving
Corporation, until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the
GCL.

      Section 3.3  Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.

     (a) The directors of Sub at the Effective Time shall be the initial
directors of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office from the Effective
Time until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualify
in the manner provided in the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the
Surviving Corporation or as otherwise provided by law.

     (b) The officers of Sub at the Effective Time shall be the initial officers
of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office from the Effective Time until
their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualify in the
manner provided in the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation, or as otherwise provided by law.

      Section 3.4   Board of Directors; Committees.  If requested by Parent,
Company will, promptly following the purchase by Sub of Shares pursuant to the
Amended Offer, take all actions necessary to cause persons designated by Parent
to become directors of Company so that the total number of such persons equals
that number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number, which represents
the product of (x) the total number of directors on the board of directors of
Company (the "Board of Directors") multiplied by (y) the percentage that the
number of Shares so accepted for payment plus any Shares beneficially owned by
Parent or its affiliates on the date hereof bears to the number of Shares
outstanding at the time of such acceptance for payment.  In furtherance thereof,
Company will increase the size of the Board of Directors, or use its reasonable
efforts to secure the resignation of directors, or both, as is necessary to
permit Parent's designees to be elected to the Board of Directors; provided,
however, that prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall always
have at least two, and at the Company's election three, members (one of whom
shall be Richard Conte) who are neither officers of Parent nor designees,
stockholders or affiliates of Parent ("Parent Insiders").  At such time,
Company, if so requested, will use its reasonable efforts to cause persons
designated by Parent to constitute the same percentage of each committee of the
Board of Directors, each board of directors of each Company Subsidiary and each
committee of each such board (in each case to the extent of Company's ability to
elect such persons) provided, however. that prior to the Effective Time each
such committee and each subsidiary board shall, at Company's election, always
have at least one member (who may be Richard Conte) who is not a Parent Insider.
Company's obligations to appoint designees to its Board of Directors shall be
subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 thereunder.  Company
shall promptly take all actions

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
required pursuant to such Section and Rule in order to fulfill its obligations
under this Section 3.4 and shall include in the Schedule 14D-9 such information
as is required under such Section and Schedule. Parent agrees to furnish to
Company all information concerning Parent's designees which may be necessary to
comply with the foregoing and agrees that such information will comply with the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and other applicable laws.

      Section 3.5   Actions by Directors.  For purposes of Article X hereof, no
action taken by the Board of Directors prior to the Merger shall be effective
unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of
the directors of Company who are not Parent Insiders.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                              CONVERSION OF SHARES

      Section 4.1   Conversion or Cancellation of Shares.  The manner of
converting or canceling shares of Company and Sub in the Merger shall be as
follows:

          (a)  At the Effective Time, each Share issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares owned by Parent, Sub
or any other subsidiary of Parent (collectively, the "Parent Companies") or
Shares which are held by stockholders ("Dissenting Stockholders") exercising
appraisal rights pursuant to Section 92A.380 of the GCL) shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted
into the right to receive, without interest, an amount in cash equal to $16.00
or such greater amount which may be paid pursuant to the Offer (the "Merger
Consideration").  All such Shares, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the holders thereof, shall no longer be outstanding and
shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a
certificate representing any such Shares shall thereafter cease to have any
rights with respect to such Shares, except the right to receive the Merger
Consideration for such Shares upon the surrender of such certificate in
accordance with Section 4.2 or the right, if any, to receive payment from the
Surviving Corporation of the "fair value" of such Shares as determined in
accordance with Sections 92A.300 et seq. of the GCL.

          (b)  At the Effective Time, each Share issued and outstanding at the
Effective Time and owned by any of the Parent Companies, and each Share issued
and held in Company's treasury at the Effective Time, shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, cease to be
outstanding, shall be canceled and retired without payment of any consideration
therefor and shall cease to exist.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  At the Effective Time, each share of Common Stock, par value
$0.25 per share, of Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of Sub or the holders of such shares, be converted into one Share.

      Section 4.2  Payment for Shares.

     (a) Parent shall make available, or shall cause to be made available, with
a paying agent selected by Parent and reasonably satisfactory to Company (the
"Paying Agent"), the following:  (i) cash to be paid pursuant to Section 4.1(a)
and  (ii) cash to be paid on the exercise of any Options to purchase Shares
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time which have an exercise price
of less than the Merger Consideration, less, with respect to each such Option,
the exercise price thereof.

     (b) Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Paying Agent
to mail (or deliver at its principal office) to each holder of record of a
certificate or certifi  cates representing Shares (i) a letter of transmittal
which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title
to the certificates for Shares shall pass, only upon delivery of the
certificates for Shares to the Paying Agent and shall be in such form and have
such other provisions, including appropriate provisions with respect to back-up
withholding, as Parent may reasonably specify, and (ii) instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the certificates for Shares.  Upon surrender of a
certificate for Shares to the Paying Agent, or upon notice of the exercise of
Options, accompanied by such letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed
in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder thereof shall be
entitled to receive the amount which such holder has the right to receive
pursuant to the provisions of this Article IV, after giving effect to any
required withholding tax, and the certificate for Shares so surrendered shall
forthwith be canceled. No interest will be paid or accrued on any amount payable
upon the surrender of any certificate for Shares.  If payment is to be made to a
person other than the registered holder of the certificate surrendered, it shall
be a condition of such payment that the certificate so surrendered shall be
properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason
of the payment to a person other than the registered holder of the certificate
surrendered or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving
Corporation or the Paying Agent that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable.  One hundred and eighty days following the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to cause the Paying Agent to deliver to
it any funds (including any interest received with respect thereto) made
available to the Paying Agent which have not been disbursed to holders of
certificates formerly representing Shares outstanding on the Effective Time, and
thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look to the Surviving Corporation
only as general creditors thereof with respect to the cash payable upon due
surrender of their certificates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the
Paying Agent

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
nor any party hereto shall be liable to any holder of certificates formerly
representing Shares for any amount paid to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. The Surviving Corporation
shall pay all charges and expenses, including those of the Paying Agent, in
connection with the exchange of cash for Shares and Parent shall reimburse the
Surviving Corporation for such charges and expenses.

      Section 4.3   Dissenters' Rights.  If any Dissenting Stockholder shall be
entitled to or shall assert entitlement to be paid the "fair value" of his or
her Shares, as provided in Sections 92A.300 et seq. of the GCL, Company shall
give Parent notice thereof and Parent shall have the right to participate in all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such demands.  Neither Company
nor the Surviving Corporation shall, except with the prior written consent of
Parent, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to
settle, any such demand for payment.  If any Dissenting Stockholder shall fail
to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost the right to dissent, the
Shares held by such Dissenting Stockholder shall thereupon be treated as though
such Shares had been converted into the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section
4.1.

      Section 4.4   Closing of Company Transfer Books.  At the Effective Time,
the stock transfer books of Company shall be closed, and no transfer of Shares
shall thereafter be made.  If, after the Effective Time, certificates
representing Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be
canceled and exchanged for Merger Consideration applicable to such Shares.

     Section 4.5    Closing.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Sullivan &
Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York, at 10:00 a.m., local time, one
business day after the day on which all of the conditions set forth in Article
IX are satisfied or waived or at such other date, time and place as Parent and
Company shall agree.

                                   ARTICLE V

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT

     Except as otherwise disclosed to Company in a disclosure schedule delivered
to it concurrently with the execution hereof (which disclosure schedule shall
contain appropriate references to identify the representations and warranties
herein to which the information in such disclosure schedule relates) (the
"Parent Disclosure Schedule"), and except as otherwise expressly contemplated by
this Agreement, Parent represents and warrants to Company as follows:

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
      Section 5.1   Organization.  Each of Parent and Sub is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of
its incorporation and has the corporate power to carry on its business as it is
now being conducted or presently proposed to be conducted.  Each of Parent and
Sub is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business, and is in good
standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or
held under lease or the nature of its activities make such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or to be in such good
standing, which, when taken together with all other such failures, would not
have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, results of
operations or financial condition of Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole (a "Parent Material Adverse Effect").

      Section 5.2   Authority Relative to This Agreement.  Each of Parent and
Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and to carry out its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation by each of Parent and Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby
have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of each of Parent and Sub
and by Parent as the sole stockholder of Sub, and no other corporate action or
proceedings on the part of either Parent or Sub (including without limitation
any action by Parent's stockholders) are necessary to authorize the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Parent and Sub, as applicable, and constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of each of Parent and Sub, enforceable against each of Parent and Sub
in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors'
rights and remedies generally or to general principles of equity.

      Section 5.3   Consents and Approvals; No Violations.  Except for
applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), the Exchange Act, state or foreign laws
relating to takeovers, if applicable, state securities or blue sky laws, certain
filings and approvals relating to healthcare licensing, certificate of need,
change of ownership filings pursuant to Medicare and Medicaid laws and similar
matters, and the filing of appropriate Articles of Merger and Certificate of
Merger in such form as required by, and executed in accordance with the relevant
provisions of, the GCL and the General Corporation Law of Delaware, no filing
with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any governmental or
regulatory authority, agency, commission or other governmental entity, domestic
or foreign ("Governmental Entity"), is necessary in connection with the
consummation by Parent or Sub of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, except for such filings, permits, authorizations, consents or
approvals the failure of which to be made or obtained would not individually or
in the aggregate prevent, materially delay or materially impair 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
the ability of Parent or Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Neither the execution and delivery by Parent or Sub of this
Agreement, nor the consummation by Parent or Sub of the transactions
contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Parent or Sub with any of the provisions
hereof, will (a) conflict with or result in any breach of any provisions of the
charter documents or by-laws of Parent or Sub, (b) result in a violation or
breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a
default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration)
under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, license, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to
which Parent or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or
any of their properties or assets may be bound, or (c) violate any order, writ,
injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Parent, any of its
subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, except in the case of clauses
(b) and (c) for violations, breaches or defaults which would not prevent,
materially delay or materially impair the ability of Parent or Sub to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      Section 5.4   Consents.  Parent, as of the date hereof, after taking into
account, among other things, its compliance with health care regulatory
requirements, has no reason to believe that it will not obtain the consents
referred to in Section 9.1(d) on or before June 19, 1997.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY

     Except as otherwise disclosed to Parent and Sub in a disclosure schedule
delivered to them concurrently with the execution hereof (which disclosure
schedule shall contain appropriate references to identify the representations
and warranties herein to which the information in such letter relates) (the
"Company Disclosure Schedule"), and except as otherwise expressly contemplated
by this Agreement, Company represents and warrants to Parent and Sub as set
forth below.

      Section 6.1   Organization.  Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada and
has the requisite corporate power to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted or presently proposed to be conducted.  Company is duly qualified as a
foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each
jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or held under lease or
the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except where
the failure to be so qualified or to be in such good standing, which, when taken
together with all other such failures, would not have a material adverse effect
on the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial
condition of Company and Company Subsidiaries (as defined below), taken as a
whole (a "Company 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
Material Adverse Effect"). Company has made available to Parent a complete and
correct copy of the Articles of Incorporation and the By-laws of Company (the
"By-laws"), each as amended to date and the articles of incorporation and by-
laws or similar governing instrument of each Company Subsidiary, each as amended
to date. The Articles of Incorporation and the By-laws and the articles of
incorporation, by-laws or similar governing instruments of each Company
Subsidiary so delivered are in full force and effect.

      Section 6.2   Capitalization.  The authorized capital stock of Company
consists of 100,000,000 Shares and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par
value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock").  As of  June 11, 1997, (i)
38,994,413 Shares were issued and outstanding (excluding Shares held by Company
in treasury), (ii) options to acquire 3,824,848 Shares were outstanding under
all Plans (as defined in Section 6.14) of Company, (iii) 178,518 Shares were
subject to issuance in connection with Company's 5 3/4% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2012, (iv) no shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding, and (v)
Rights to purchase 389,945 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were outstanding
(excluding Rights attached to Shares held by Company in its treasury). All of
the issued and outstanding Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.  There are not now, and at
the Effective Time there will not be, any shares of capital stock of Company
issued or outstanding or any options, warrants, subscriptions, calls, rights,
convertible securities or other agreements or commitments obligating Company to
issue, transfer or sell any shares of its capital stock or other issued or
unissued capital stock or other securities of Company or any Company Subsidiary
except as set forth above (including upon the exercise of the options and Rights
and conversion of the convertible debentures referred to above).  Immediately
prior to the consummation of the Amended Offer, no Shares, Preferred Shares,
Preferred Stock or any other securities of Company will be subject to issuance
pursuant to the Rights Agreement, and after the Effective Time the Surviving
Corporation will have no obligation to issue, transfer or sell any Shares or
other capital stock or other securities of the Surviving Corporation pursuant to
any Plan or pursuant to any subscription, option, warrant, right, convertible
security or other agreement or commitment.  Other than the Debentures, neither
Company nor any Company Subsidiary has outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes
or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or are
convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with
the stockholders of Company or any Company Subsidiary on any matter.

      Section 6.3   Subsidiaries.  Each Company Subsidiary (as defined herein)
is, directly or indirectly, wholly owned by Company and Exhibit 6.3 contains a
true and complete list of each Company Subsidiary.  As used herein, "Company
Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
business entity of which Company owns, directly or indirectly, greater than
fifty percent of the shares of capital stock or other equity interests
(including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
the occurrence of any contingency) to cast at least a majority of the votes that
may be cast by all shares or equity interests having ordinary voting power for
the election of directors or other governing body of such entity. Each of the
outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each Company
Subsidiary is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
owned, either directly or indirectly, by Company free and clear of all liens,
pledges, security interests, claims or other encumbrances ("Liens"). Each of the
shares of capital stock of BHC beneficially owned by Company is duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and is owned free and clear of all
Liens (except as contained in the stockholders agreement relating to BHC) and
the transfer of control over such shares contemplated hereby will not violate,
or give any third party rights under, any agreement to which Company or any
Company Subsidiary is a party.

     (a) Each Company Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the state of its organization, except where the
failure to comply with the foregoing would not individually or in the aggregate
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

     (b) Each Company Subsidiary has the requisite power to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted or presently proposed to be conducted,
except where the failure to have such power would not individually or in the
aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

     (c) Each Company Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business, and is in
good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned
or held under lease or the nature of its activities makes such qualification
necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, or to be in good
standing, which, when taken together with all other such failures, would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

     (d) There are no outstanding options, warrants, subscriptions, calls,
rights, convertible securities or other agreements or commitments obligating
Company or any Company Subsidiary to issue, transfer or sell any securities or
other equity interests of any Company Subsidiary or otherwise take actions with
respect to the capital stock or other equity interests or securities of any
Company Subsidiary.

     (e) There are no voting trusts, standstill, stockholder or other agreements
or understandings to which Company or any of Company Subsidiaries is a party or
is bound with respect to the voting of the capital stock or other equity
interests of Company or any of Company Subsidiaries.

      Section 6.4   Authority Relative to This Agreement.  Company has the
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
carry out its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.  The execution and 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
delivery by Company of this Agreement and the consummation by Company of the
trans actions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by Company's Board
of Directors and, to the extent required under the GCL, except for the approval
of Company's stockholders to be sought as contemplated by Section 8.3(a) hereof,
no other corporate action or proceedings on the part of Company are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Company and constitutes a
valid and binding agreement of Company, enforceable against Company in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors'
rights and remedies generally or to general principles of equity. The Board of
Directors has unanimously (with two directors abstaining) approved this
Agreement, the Amended Offer and the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby.

      Section 6.5   Consents and Approvals; No Violation.  Except for applicable
requirements of the HSR Act, the Exchange Act, state securities or blue sky
laws, certain filings and approvals relating to health care licensing,
certificate of need, change of ownership filings pursuant to Medicare and
Medicaid laws  and similar matters, and the filings and recordation of the
Articles of Merger as required by the GCL, no filing with, and no permit,
authorization, consent or approval of, any public body or authority is necessary
for the consummation by Company of the transactions contemplated by the this
Agreement, except for such filings, permits, authorizations, consents or
approvals the failure of which to be made or obtained would not individually or
in the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect or could not prevent,
materially delay or materially impair the ability of Company to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Neither the execution and delivery
by Company of this Agreement, nor the consummation by Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Company with any of the
provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any
provisions of the charter documents or by-laws of Company or any of Company
Subsidiaries, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or
without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any
right of termination, cancellation or acceleration) under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license,
contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation ("Contracts") to which
Company or any of Company Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any
of their properties or assets may be bound, or (iii) assuming compliance with
the matters referred to in this Section 6.5, violate any order, writ,
injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Company, any of
Company Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, except in the case of
clauses (ii) and (iii) for violations, breaches or defaults which would not ,
alone or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect or that would
not prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of Company to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
      Section 6.6   Reports and Financial Statements.  Company has delivered to
Purchaser each registration statement, schedule, report, proxy statement or
information statement prepared by it since November 30, 1996 (the "Audit Date"),
including, without limitation, (i) Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended November 30, 1996 and (ii) Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarterly period ended February 28, 1997, each in the form (including
exhibits and any amendments thereto) filed with the SEC, and Company has timely
filed all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act
since January 1, 1994 (collectively, the "Company SEC Reports").  None of such
Company SEC Reports, as of their respective dates, 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, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Each of the balance
sheets (including the related notes and schedules) included in or incorporated
by reference into the Company SEC Reports fairly presents the consolidated
financial position of Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the
respective dates thereof, and the other related statements (including the
related notes and schedules) included or incorporated by reference therein
fairly present the results of operations, retained earnings and the changes in
financial position of Company and Company Subsidiaries for the respective
periods or as of the respective dates set forth therein (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end adjustments), all in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied during
the periods involved, except as otherwise noted therein.

      Section 6.7   Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for liabilities
or obligations which (i) are accrued or reserved against in Company's financial
statements or reflected in the notes thereto included in the Company SEC Reports
filed prior to the date hereof, or (ii) were incurred after February 28, 1997 in
the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, neither
Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any material liabilities or obligations
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a nature required by
GAAP to be reflected in a corporate balance sheet or the notes thereto. Except
as accrued or reserved against in Company's financial statements included in
Company's SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof, as of the date hereof
there are no obligations or liabilities, whether or not accrued, contingent or
otherwise and whether or not required to be disclosed, or any facts or
circumstances of which Company has knowledge that could result in any claims
against or liabilities of Company or any Company Subsidiaries that, alone or in
the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.

      Section 6.8   Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as set forth
in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof, since the Audit Date
neither Company nor any of Company Subsidiaries has:  (i) taken any of the
actions set forth in Section 7.1(b), clauses (i), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section
7.1(c) or Section 7.1(e) hereof; (ii)

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
suffered any material adverse change in the business, financial condition,
results of operations, properties, assets or liabilities of Company and Company
Subsidiaries taken as a whole (other than any change relating to the United
States economy in general or to the United States investor owned hospital
business or to the acute care hospital business in general) or any development
or combination of developments of which management of Company has knowledge
which is reasonably likely to result in any such change; (iii) any declaration,
setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to
the capital stock of Company; (iv) any change by Company in accounting
principles, practices or methods; or (v) except as permitted by Section 7.1
hereof, conducted its business and operations other than in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practices. Since November 30, 1996, except
as disclosed in the Company Reports filed prior to the date hereof and except as
permitted by Schedule 8.10 hereto, there has not been any increase in the
compensation payable or which could become payable by Company and its
subsidiaries to their officers or key employees, or any amendment of any Plans
except for such increases in compensation (i) reflected in Schedule 6.8 hereof
or (ii) which are given to persons who are not officers of Company in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices.

     Section 6.9  Litigation.  Except for litigation disclosed in the notes to
the financial statements included in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the
date hereof, there are no civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits,
claims, hearings, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of
Company, threatened against Company or any Company Subsidiary that, alone or in
the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.

     Section 6.1  BHC.  Since the Audit Date, to Company's knowledge, there
has not been any material adverse change in the business, financial condition,
results of operations, properties, assets or liabilities of BHC and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     Section 6.1   No Default.  Neither Company nor any of Company Subsidiaries
is in default or violation (and no event has occurred which with notice or the
lapse of time or both would constitute a default or violation) of any term,
condition or provision of (i) its charter documents or by-laws, (ii) any
Contract to which Company or any of Company Subsidiaries is a party or by which
they or any of their properties or assets may be bound, or (iii) any order,
writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Company or
any of Company Subsidiaries, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above
for defaults or violations which, alone or in the aggregate, would not have a
Company Material Adverse Effect or that would not prevent, materially delay or
materially impair the ability of Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
     Section 6.1  Taxes.

     (a) Except for such matters that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect, Company and Company
Subsidiaries have duly filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by
Company or Company Subsidiaries and have paid in full the Taxes shown to be due
thereon.  Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiaries has any material
liability with respect to Taxes that accrued on or before the end of the most
recent period covered by the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof
which in the aggregate exceeds, by a material amount, the aggregate amounts
accrued with respect thereto that are reflected in the financial statements
included in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof.

     (b) To Company's knowledge, no Tax is required to be withheld pursuant to
Section 1445 of the Code as a result of the transfer contemplated by this
Agreement.

     (c)  For purposes of this Agreement:

          (i) "Taxes" shall mean all Federal, state, local and foreign taxes,
     including, without limitation, income, gross receipts, windfall profits,
     gains, excise, severance, property, production, sales, use, transfer,
     license, franchise, employment, withholding, environmental, customs duty,
     capital stock, stamp, payroll, unemployment, disability, production, value
     added, occupancy and other taxes, duties or assessments of any nature
     whatsoever, together with all interest, penalties and additional amounts
     imposed with respect to such amounts and any interest in respect of such
     penalties and additions.

          (ii) "Tax Returns" shall mean any Federal, state, local or foreign tax
     returns, elections, disclosures, estimates, declarations, statements,
     reports, schedules, forms and information returns and any amended return
     required to be filed with respect to any Tax.

      Section 6.1   Medicare Participation/Accreditation.

     (a) All hospitals or significant health care facilities owned or operated
as of the date hereof as continuing operations by Company or any Company
Subsidiary (each, a "Company Facility") are certified for participation in the
Medicare and Medicaid programs, have a current and valid provider agreement with
the Medicare and Medicaid programs, have complied with all Medicare and Medicaid
laws, rules, regulations, manuals and other conditions of participation of such
programs, to the extent applicable, and have filed all cost reports and other
requests for payment in the manner prescribed thereby except where the failure
to be so certified, to have such agreements, or to be in such compliance would,
individually or in the aggregate not have a Company Material Adverse 

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
Effect. Neither Company nor any of Company Subsidiaries has received notice from
any governmental agency, fiscal intermediary, carrier or similar entity which
enforces or administers the statutory or regulatory provisions in respect to any
Government Health Care Program of any pending or threatened investigations, and
to Company's knowledge no such investigations are pending, threatened or
imminent, which would be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Each Company Facility eligible for such accreditation is accredited by
the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or other
appropriate accreditation agency.

     (b) All cost reports and other requests for payment made by Company and
Company Subsidiaries to Medicare, Medicaid or any other governmental health care
program or third party payor are complete and accurate, except where the failure
to be so complete and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  No adjustment or disallowance in any
such cost reports and other requests for payment, including adjustments or
disallowances for late filings, has been made or, to Company's knowledge,
threatened by any Federal or state agency or instrumentality or other provider
reimbursement entities relating to Medicare or Medicaid or by any third party
payor, and to Company's knowledge, there is no basis for any successful claims
or requests for recovery of overpayments from any such agency, instrumentality,
entity or third party payor, except for any such claims or requests which would
not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Since January 1, 1992 neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary has prior to
the date hereof been subject to any audit relating to fraudulent Medicare or
Medicaid practices and neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to
any audit relating to fraudulent Medicare or Medicaid practices that would be
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material
Adverse Effect.

     (c) Each such Company Facility is licensed by the state department of
health or applicable state agency and is authorized to operate the number of
beds utilized therein. The Company Facilities are presently in compliance with
the terms, conditions and provisions of such licenses except where the failure
to be in such compliance would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  The
facilities, equipment, staffing and operations of Company Facilities satisfy the
applicable state health care licensing require  ments in all material respects.

     Section 6.1  Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.

     (a) With respect to each bonus, deferred compensation, incentive
compensation, stock purchase, stock option, severance or termination pay,
hospitalization or other medical, life or other insurance, supplemental
unemployment benefits, profit-sharing, pension, or retirement, thrift, savings,
employee stock ownership, stock bonus, restricted stock, welfare and fringe
benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, and 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
each other employee benefit plan, program, agreement (including but not limited
to employment agreements) or arrangement, other than such as are immaterial (the
"Plans"), currently maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed
to by (i) Company, (ii) any Company Subsidiary or (iii) any trade or business,
whether or not incorporated (a "Company ERISA Affiliate"), that together with
Company is considered a "single employer" within the meaning of Section 4001 of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder ("ERISA"), or Section 414(b) or (c) of
the Code for the benefit of any employee or former employee, consultant or
former consultant, or director or former director of either Company, any Company
Subsidiary or any Company ERISA Affiliate.

     (b)  Except as set forth on Schedule 8.10 hereto, neither Company nor any
Company Subsidiary has any commitment to create any additional material Plan or
to modify or change any existing Plan in any material respect. If applicable,
Company has heretofore delivered or made available to Parent, upon request, true
and complete copies of:

          (i) existing Plan documents (including all amendments
     thereto);

          (ii) the Form 5500, actuarial report and financial statement for the
     two most recent plan years ending prior to the date hereof;

          (iii) the most recent Summary Plan Description, together with any
     Summary of Material Modifications;

          (iv) trust instruments, insurance contracts or any other third party
     funding vehicle(including all amendments thereto) and the latest financial
     statements with respect to the last reporting period ended immediately
     prior to the date hereof;

          (v) the most recent determination letter received prior to the date
     hereof from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") with respect to each Plan
     intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code; and

          (vi) any Form 5310 or Form 5330 filed with the IRS.

     (c) No liability under Title IV of ERISA has or is expected to be incurred
by Company, any Company Subsidiary or any Company ERISA Affiliate that has not
been satisfied in full when due.  Company has no reason to expect to incur any
liability under ERISA arising in connection with the termination of, or complete
withdrawal from, any Plan previously covered by Title IV of ERISA which would
have a Company Material 

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
Adverse Effect or give rise to a lien under Title IV of ERISA. No notice of a
"reportable event", within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 
30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed
for any Plan within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof, and no such
notice will be required to be filed as a result of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") has not
instituted proceedings to terminate any Plan and, to Company's knowledge, no
condition exists that presents a material risk that such proceedings will be
instituted. To the knowledge of Company, there is no pending investigation or
enforcement action by the PBGC, the Department of Labor (the "DOL") or IRS or
any other governmental agency with respect to any Plan. Under each Plan to the
extent applicable, as of the date of the most recent actuarial valuation
performed prior to the date of this Agreement, the actuarially determined
present value of all "benefit liabilities", within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(16) of ERISA (as determined on the basis of the actuarial assumptions
contained in such actuarial valuation of such Plan), did not exceed the then
current value of the assets of such Plan and since such date there has been
neither an adverse change in the financial condition of such Plan nor any
amendment or other change to such Plan that would increase the amount of
benefits thereunder which reasonably would be expected to change such result.

     (d) No Plan subject to the minimum funding requirements of Section 412 of
the Code or Section 302 of ERISA or any trust established thereunder has
incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, as of the last day of
the most recent fiscal year of such Plan ended prior to the date hereof.  All
contributions required to be made with respect to any Plan on or prior to the
date hereof have been timely made.  None of Company, any Company Subsidiary or
any Company ERISA Affiliate (x) has provided, or would reasonably be expected to
be required to provide, security to any Plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of
the Code, and (y) has taken any action, or omitted to take any action, that has
resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in the imposition of a lien
under Section 412(n) of the Code or pursuant to ERISA.

     (e) No Plan is a "multiemployer pension plan," as defined in Section 3(37)
of ERISA, nor is any Plan a plan described in Section 4063(a) of ERISA.  None of
Company, any Company Subsidiary or any Company ERISA Affiliate has contributed,
or has been obligated to contribute to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle E of
ERISA at any time since September 26, 1980.

     (f) Each Plan which is an "employee pension benefit plan" within the
meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA and is intended to be "qualified" within the
meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination
letter including a determination that the related trust under such Plan is
exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code from the IRS as to its
qualification for "TRA" (as defined in Rev. Proc 93-39) and, to 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
Company's knowledge, there are no circumstances likely to result in the
disqualification of such Plan.

     (g) Each of the Plans has been operated and administered in all material
respects in accordance with applicable laws, including, but not limited to,
ERISA and the Code.  There is no material pending or, to the knowledge of
Company, threatened legal action, suit, or claim relating to the Plans.

     (h) No Plan, individually or collectively, constitutes a "defined benefit
plan" as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA.

     (i) To Company's knowledge, none of Company, any Company Subsidiary or any
Company ERISA Affiliate, any of the ERISA Plans, any trust created thereunder,
or any trustee or administrator thereof has engaged in a transaction in
connection with which Company, any Company Subsidiary, any Company ERISA
Affiliate, any of the ERISA Plans, any such trust or any trustee or
administrator thereof, or any party dealing with the ERISA Plans or any such
trust is subject to either a civil liability under Section 409 of ERISA or
Section 502(i) of ERISA, or a tax imposed pursuant to Section 4975 or 4976 of
the Code which would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.

     (j) Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any obligations to
provide retiree health and life insurance or other retiree death benefits under
any Plan, other than benefits mandated by Section 4980B of the Code, and each
Plan may be amended or terminated without incurring liability thereunder.  There
has been no communication to employees by Company or any Company Subsidiary
that would reasonably be expected to promise or guarantee such employees retiree
health or life insurance or other retiree death benefits on a permanent basis.

     (k) All Plans covering foreign employees comply in all material respects
with applicable local law.  Company and any Company Subsidiary have no material
unfunded liabilities with respect to any Plan which covers foreign employees.

     (l) Except as provided in Schedule 8.10 hereto, the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement would not, directly or indirectly
(including, without limitation, as a result of any termination of employment
prior to or following the Effective Time), reasonably be expected to (A) entitle
any current or former employee, consultant or director to any payment (including
severance pay or similar compensation) or any increase in compensation except in
connection with Shares and options held by them, (B) result in the vesting or
acceleration of any benefits under any Plan or (C) result in any material
increase in benefits payable under any Plan.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     (m) Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary maintains any compensation
plans, programs or arrangements the payments under which would not reasonably be
expected to be deductible as a result of the limitations under Section 162(m) of
the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.

     (n) As a result, directly or indirectly, of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement (including, without limitation, as a result of any termination
of employment prior to or following the Effective Time), none of the Parent,
Sub, Company or the Surviving Corporation, or any of their respective
subsidiaries will be obligated to make a payment that would be characterized as
an "excess parachute payment" to an individual who is a "disqualified
individual" (as such terms are defined in Section 280G of the Code), without
regard to whether such payment is reasonable compensation for personal services
performed or to be performed in the future.

     Section 6.15  Vote Required.  Approval of the Merger by the stockholders
of Company will require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares.

     Section 6.16  Opinion of Financial Advisor.  The Board of Directors of
Company has received the opinion of  Morgan Stanley & Co., Company's financial
advisor, substantially to the effect that the consideration to be received by
holders of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement is fair from a financial point
of view.

     Section 6.17  Certain Actions Under Nevada Law. The Board of Directors of
Company has taken all appropriate action so that (i) neither Parent nor Sub will
be an "interested stockholder" within the meaning of Sections 78.378 to 78.3793
of the GCL by virtue of the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) the entry into this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be exempted
from the provisions of Sections 78.411 to 78.444 of the GCL. No other "fair
price", "moratorium", "control share acquisition" or other similar antitakeover
statute or regulation (each a "Takeover Statute") is applicable to Company, the
Shares, the Offer, the Merger or the transactions contemplated thereby or
hereby.

     Section 6.18  Stockholder Rights Plan.  (i)  The Company has amended the
Rights Agreement to provide that none of Parent, Sub or any of their respective
affiliates or associates will be deemed to be an Acquiring Person (as defined in
the Rights Agreement) and that the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights
Agreement) shall not be deemed to occur, and the Rights will not separate from
the Shares, as a result of the commencement of the Offer or as a result of
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)  The Company has taken all necessary action with respect to the
Rights Agreement to ensure that the Rights Agreement will expire at the
Effective Time pursuant to Section 7.1(iii) of the Rights Agreement.
 
      Section 6.19  Real Property and Leases. (i) Company and Company
Subsidiaries have sufficient title or leasehold interests to all of their
respective properties to conduct their respective businesses as currently
conducted or as contemplated to be conducted, except where the failure to have
such sufficient title or leasehold interest would not, either individually or in
the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 6.19 of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of each lease, sublease
or other similar agreement relating to the possession of real property to which
Company or any of Company Subsidiaries is a party which provides for annual
payments in excess of $60,000.

          (ii)  All leases of real property leased for the use or benefit of
Company or any Company Subsidiaries to which Company or any such subsidiary is a
party and all amendments and modifications thereto are in full force and effect
except where the failure to be in full force and effect would not have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 6.20  Termination of Select Medical Merger Agreement.

          (a) The Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 2, 1997 (the
"Select Medical Merger Agreement"), by and among Select Medical Corporation
("Select Medical"), SM Acquisition Co. and Company has been terminated in
accordance with its terms.  Company is not required under the Select Medical
Merger Agreement (or under any other Contract) to make any payment to Select
Medical Corporation, SM Acquisition Co. or any of their respective affiliates
except pursuant to Section 9.2 thereof.

      Section 6.21  Brokers.  Company represents and warrants that, (i) except
for Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. and Cronus Partners, Inc.,
its financial advisors, no broker, finder or financial advisor is entitled to
any brokerage, finder's or 

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
other fee or commission in connection with the Merger or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of
Company and (ii) Company's fee arrangements with such financial advisors have
been disclosed in writing to Parent and Sub.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

      Section 7.1   Conduct of Business by Company Pending The Merger.  From the
date of this Agreement until the earlier of (i) the time that persons designated
by Parent are appointed as directors of Company pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof
and (ii) the Effective Time, unless Parent shall otherwise agree in writing, or
as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, any Schedule hereto or Company
Disclosure Schedule:

     (a) the respective businesses of Company and Company Subsidiaries shall be
conducted only in the ordinary and usual course of business and consistent with
past practice, and there shall be no material change in the conduct of the
operations of Company and Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole and, to the
extent consistent therewith, each of Company and Company Subsidiaries shall use
its reasonable best efforts to preserve its business organization intact,
maintain its existing relations with customers, suppliers, employees and
business associates, and preserve the goodwill of those having business
relationships with it and Company Subsidiaries;

     (b) Company shall not (i) sell or pledge or agree to sell, pledge, dispose
of or encumber any stock or other equity interests owned by it in any of Company
Subsidiaries; (ii) amend its Articles of Incorporation or by-laws or, except as
contemplated hereby, amend, modify, consummate or redeem the Rights Agreement or
Rights; or (iii) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its outstanding
capital stock; or (iv) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
distribution payable in cash, stock or property, or redeem or otherwise acquire
any shares of its capital stock or shares of the capital stock of any of Company
Subsidiaries;

     (c) neither Company nor any of Company Subsidiaries shall (i) authorize for
issuance, issue, pledge, dispose of, encumber or sell any additional shares of,
or rights of any kind to acquire, any shares of  or securities convertible or
exchangeable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind
to acquire, its capital stock of any class (whether through the issuance or
granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or
otherwise), except for unissued Shares which may be issued upon the exercise or
conversion of outstanding rights, options and debentures referred to in Section
6.2 hereof; (ii) except as otherwise permitted herein acquire, dispose of,
transfer, lease, guarantee, license, mortgage, pledge or encumber any fixed or
other 

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
assets in excess of $200,000 in any one or a series of related transactions or
more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate other than ordinary course acquisitions of
supplies used in the day-to-day operations of Company; (iii) incur, assume or
prepay any indebtedness or any other material liabilities; (iv) assume,
guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly,
contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other person other than a
wholly-owned Company Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 in the
aggregate; (v) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other person in an amount in excess of $200,000 in any one
or a series of related transactions or more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate;
(vi) authorize capital expenditures (other than presently budgeted capital
expenditures set forth on Schedule 7.1(c)) in excess of $200,000 in any one or a
series of related transactions or $500,000 in the aggregate; or (vii) enter into
any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of the
foregoing;

     (d) neither Company nor any of Company Subsidiaries shall make any change
in the compensation payable or to become payable to any of its officers,
directors or employees, except pursuant to existing agreements, grant any
severance or termination pay to, or enter into or amend any employment,
severance, termination or other similar agreement, adopt any new Plan or amend
any existing Plan or voluntarily accelerate the vesting of any stock options,
restricted stock or other compensation or benefit or make any loans to any of
its officers, directors or employees or make any changes in its existing
borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of any of such persons,
whether contingent on consummation of the Merger or otherwise, other than as may
be required under applicable law or the terms of any existing Plan or agreement
provided, however, that Company and Company Subsidiary may amend any Plan to
provide for the effectuation thereof immediately prior to the expiration of the
Amended Offer and/or the Effective Time so long as the amounts payable
thereunder, individually or in the aggregate, are not increased.

     (e) neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall settle or compromise
any material claims or litigation or, except in the ordinary and usual course of
business, modify, amend or terminate any of its material Contracts or waive,
release or assign any material rights or claims;

     (f) neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall take, or omit to take,
any action that is reasonably likely to cause any representation and warranty of
Company in this Agreement to become untrue in any material respect;

     (g) neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall make any Tax election
or permit any insurance policy naming it as a beneficiary or a loss payable
payee to be 

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
canceled or terminated without notice to Purchaser, except in the ordinary and
usual course of business; and

     (h) neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary will authorize or enter into
an agreement to do any of the foregoing.

     Section 7.2    Conduct of Business of Sub.  From the date hereof to the
Effective Time, Sub shall not engage in any activities of any nature except as
provided in or contemplated by this Agreement or to facilitate the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

      Section 8.1   Access and Information.  Company shall, and shall cause each
Company Subsidiary to, afford to Parent and its financial advisors, legal
counsel, accountants, consultants and other representatives full access at all
reasonable times throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to all of its
books, records, properties, plants and personnel and, during such period, shall
furnish promptly to Parent (i) a copy of each report, schedule and other
document filed or received by it pursuant to the requirements of federal or
state securities laws and (ii) all other information as Parent may reasonably
request provided that no investigation pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall affect
or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty made by Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company shall not be required to permit any
access, or to disclose any information, which in the reasonable judgment of
Company (i) would result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of third parties
if Company shall have unsuccessfully used reasonable efforts to obtain the
consent of such third party to such inspection or disclosure, (ii) would be in
violation of applicable law, rules or regulation or (iii) constitutes
information protected by attorney-client privilege, but only to the extent that
disclosure would impair Company's ability to assert such attorney-client
privilege.  Parent and its respective affiliates, representatives and agents
shall keep confidential all nonpublic information in accordance with the terms
of the Confidentiality Letter dated October 28, 1996 (the "Confidentiality
Letter") between Company and Parent.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
      Section 8.2   Acquisition Proposals.  From the date hereof until the
termination hereof, Company and Company Subsidiaries will not, and will cause
their respective officers, directors, employees or other agents (including,
without limitation, investment bankers, attorneys or accountants) not to,
directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, encourage, enter into any
agreement or otherwise facilitate any offer or proposal for, or any indication
of interest in, a merger or other business combination involving Company or the
acquisition of any equity interest in, or a substantial portion of the assets of
Company or any transaction that would conflict with or interfere with
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and other than the sale of the
hospital in Kirkland, Washington and the sale of real estate and buildings
relating to hospitals formerly operated by Company or a Company Subsidiary or
real property set forth on Schedule 8.2 at hospitals presently operated by
Company or a Company Subsidiary (any such proposal being an "Acquisition
Proposal" and any such acquisition or transaction being an "Acquisition
Transaction"), or (ii) engage in or continue discussions or negotiations with,
or disclose any nonpublic information relating to Company or Company
Subsidiaries, respectively, or afford access to their respective properties,
books or records to, any person that may be considering making, or has made, an
Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or
implement an Acquisition Proposal.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Section 8.2 shall prohibit Company and its Board of Directors
from (i) taking and disclosing a position with respect to a tender offer by a
third party pursuant to Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated by the SEC under
the Exchange Act, or (ii) furnishing information to, or entering into
negotiations with, any person or entity that makes an unsolicited bona fide
written proposal to acquire Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, share
exchange, purchase of a substantial portion of the assets, business combination
or other similar transaction, if, and only to the extent that, (i) Company's
Board of Directors concludes in good faith (after consultation with its
financial advisors) that such Acquisition Proposal is reasonably capable of
being completed, taking into account all legal, financial and other aspects of
the proposal and the person or entity making the proposal, and would, if
consummated, result in a transaction more favorable to Company's stockholders
from a financial point of view than the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement (any such more favorable Acquisition Proposal being referred to in
this Agreement as a "Superior Proposal") and (ii) such Board of Directors
determines in good faith upon advice of counsel that such action is required for
the Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders
imposed by law. Company agrees that it will immediately cease and cause to be
terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties
conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.  Company agrees
that it will take the necessary steps to promptly inform the individuals or
entities referred to in the first sentence hereof of the obligations undertaken
in this Section 8.2.  Company agrees that it will notify Parent promptly if any
such proposals or offers are received by, any such information is requested
from, or any such discussions or negotiations are sought to be initiated or
continued with, 

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
any of its representatives indicating, in connection with such notice, the name
of such person and the terms and conditions of any proposals or offers and
thereafter shall keep Parent informed, on a current basis, of the status and
terms of any such proposals or offers and the status of any such discussions or
negotiations. Company also agrees that it will promptly request that each person
that has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its
consideration of any Acquisition Proposal to return all confidential information
heretofore furnished to such Person by or on behalf of Company or any of its
subsidiaries.

      Section 8.3  Proxy Statement; Stockholder Approval.

     (a) Company, acting through its Board of Directors, shall, in accordance
with applicable law and its Articles of Incorporation and by-laws:

          (i) as soon as practicable following the purchase of Shares by the
     Purchaser pursuant to the Amended Offer, Company will prepare and file with
     the SEC a Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") with respect to a special
     meeting of shareholders of Company (the "Special Meeting") (except to the
     extent approval of shareholders of Company is not required to be obtained
     pursuant to the GCL or may be obtained by written consent) for the purpose
     of voting to approve and adopt this Agreement (or, in the event that the
     Parent Companies shall have the right to vote a sufficient number of Shares
     such that the Parent Companies may approve and adopt this Agreement, an
     Information Statement with respect to the Special Meeting (the "Information
     Statement")) and shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain such
     stockholder approval; and

          (ii) promptly and duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the
     Special Meeting (except to the extent approval of shareholders of Company
     is not required to be obtained pursuant to the GCL or may be obtained by
     written consent) as soon as practicable following the date upon which the
     Proxy Statement or Information Statement is cleared for mailing by the SEC,
     (except to the extent approval of shareholders of Company is not required
     to be obtained pursuant to the GCL or may be obtained by written consent);
     and

          (iii)  recommend approval and adoption of this Agreement by the
     stockholders of Company and include in the Proxy Statement or Information
     Statement such recommendation, and take all lawful action to solicit such
     approval.

     (b) Company, as promptly as practicable following the date upon which the
Proxy Statement or Information Statement is cleared for mailing by the SEC,
shall cause the definitive Proxy Statement or Information Statement to be mailed
to its stockholders. 

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
At the Special Meeting (i) Company shall vote or cause to be voted in favor of
approval and adoption of this Agreement all Shares as to which it holds proxies
at such time and (ii) the Parent Companies shall vote or cause to be voted in
favor of the approval and adoption of this Agreement all Shares owned by them or
as to which they hold proxies at such time. The Proxy Statement or Information
Statement, at the date thereof and, if applicable, at the date of such meeting,
will not include 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, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent
            --------  -------                                    
that any such untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a
material fact was made by Company in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information concerning the Parent Companies furnished to Company by
Parent specifically for use in the Proxy Statement or Information Statement.
Parent agrees that the information provided to Company for use in the Proxy
Statement or Information Statement shall in all material respects comply with
the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
The Proxy Statement or Information Statement shall not be filed, and no
amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or Information Statement will be
made by Company, without consultation with Parent and its counsel.

     (c) Company's obligations under this Section 8.3 shall at all times remain
subject to its fiduciary duties imposed under applicable law, in the event that,
if required by such fiduciary duties as advised by counsel, the Board of
Directors of Company shall have withdrawn or modified its recommendation that
stockholders approve and adopt this Agreement.

      Section 8.4   Antitrust Laws.   As promptly as practicable, Company,
Parent and Sub shall make all filings and submissions required by any
Governmental Entity as may be reasonably required to be made in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  Company will furnish
to Parent and Sub, and Parent and Sub will furnish to Company, such information
and assistance as the other may reasonably request in connection with the
preparation of any such filings or submissions.  Company will provide Parent and
Sub, and Parent and Sub will provide Company, with copies of all correspondence,
filings or communications (or memoranda setting forth the substance thereof)
between such party or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and any
governmental agency or authority or members of their respective staffs, on the
other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby. The Company, Parent and Sub each agree that they shall use best 
reasonable efforts to oppose the imposition of any Offer Order (as defined in 
Annex A) or any Order (as defined herein) and to appeal the imposition of any 
such Offer Order or any Order. If the Purchaser shall not have accepted Shares 
for payment pursuant to the Amended Offer on or before September 1, 1997 due 
to the existence of an Offer Order, Parent and the Purchaser agree to increase 
the $16.00 per share consideration to be paid pursuant to the Amended Offer by
an amount per share equal to interest accruing on $16.00 from September 1,1997
at a rate of 5% per annum through and including the date Shares are accepted
for payment pursuant to the Amended Offer.

      Section 8.5   Employee Stock Options.  At the Effective Time (or, at
Company's election, prior to expiration of the Amended Offer) all outstanding
Options to acquire Shares shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable.
At the Effective Time (or, at Company's election, prior to expiration of the
Amended Offer) Company shall take such actions as may be necessary to cause each
Option with an exercise price of less than the 

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
Merger Consideration (a "Lower Priced Option") to be amended to provide that the
holder thereof need not tender any exercise price therefor and that upon
exercise such holder shall receive an amount of cash equal to the product of (x)
the amount by which the Merger Consideration exceeds the exercise price per
Share subject to such Lower Priced Option, and (y) the number of Shares issuable
pursuant to the unexercised portion of such Lower Priced Option, less any
required withholding of taxes. At such time, all Options other than Lower Price
Options shall be converted into a right to receive, upon exercise of such
options (including payment of the exercise price of such options), an amount in
cash equal to the product of (x) the Merger Consideration, and (y) the number of
Shares issuable pursuant to the unexercised portion of such option, less any
required withholding of taxes. Anything to the contrary in this Agreement
notwithstanding, no payment shall be made pursuant to this Section 8.5 that
would be inconsistent with and would violate Article 12 of Company's 1989 Stock
Incentive Plan. Prior to the Expiration Date of the Amended Offer Company shall
cancel the converging options issued to Richard Conte, Wendy Simpson, James
Laughlin, Ronald Ooley and Julia Kopta under Company's 1989 Stock Incentive Plan
and shall use its best efforts to cancel all other converging options issued
under Company's 1989 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company shall take all action
necessary to ensure that following the Effective Time no participant in any Plan
shall have any right thereunder to acquire equity securities of Parent, Company,
Sub, Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary thereof or any cash payment with
respect thereto, other than cash amounts payable to holders of Options pursuant 
to this Section 8.5.

      Section 8.6   Public Announcements.  Parent and Sub, on the one hand, and
Company, on the other hand, agree that they will consult with each other prior
to issuing any press release or otherwise make any public statement with respect
to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

      Section 8.7  Continuance of Existing Indemnification Rights.

     (a) The Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation
shall contain provisions with respect to indemnification of individuals who at
any time prior to the expiration of the Amended Offer (or at any time after
expiration of the Amended Offer and prior to the Effective Time) were directors,
officers, or otherwise entitled to indemnification thereunder (the "Indemnified
Parties") which are at least as favorable to each Indemnified Party as the
Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of Company as of the date hereof.  The
Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation shall not be
amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years after the
Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder
of an Indemnified Party.  For a period of six years from and after the Effective
Time, Parent and Surviving Corporation shall indemnify, defend and advance
expenses in matters that may be subject to indemnification to the Indemnified
Parties with respect to liabilities and claims (and related expenses) made
against them resulting from their service 

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
as such prior to the Effective Time to the fullest extent permitted under, and
subject to the requirements and other provisions of, Company's Articles of
Incorporation, By-laws and indemnification agreements in effect on the date of
this Agreement and applicable provisions of Law. In addition, for a period
expiring six years after the expiration or termination of any consulting
obligations under any agreement requiring any Indemnified Party to provide
consulting services to Parent or the Surviving Corporation following the
expiration of the Amended Offer or the Effective Time, Parent, Company and the
Surviving Corporation shall indemnify, defend and advance expenses to
Indemnified Parties in matters that would be subject to indemnification with
respect to liabilities and claims (and related expenses) made against them
resulting from their service as a consultant under any such agreement to the
fullest extent permitted under, and subject to the requirements and other
provisions of, Company's Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, indemnification and
consulting agreements in effect on the date of this Agreement and applicable
provisions of Law.

     (b) Parent shall cause to be maintained in effect for a period ending not
sooner than the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time directors' and officers'
liability insurance providing at least the same coverage with comparable
carriers with respect to Company's directors and officers as the policies
maintained on behalf of directors and officers of Company as of the date hereof,
and containing terms and conditions which are no less advantageous, with respect
to matters occurring on or prior to the Effective Time (to the extent such
insurance is available with respect to such matters); provided, that in no event
shall Parent be required to expend to maintain or procure insurance coverage
pursuant to this Section 8.7 an amount per annum in excess of 200% of the
current annual premiums for the twelve-month period ended November 30, 1996 (the
"Maximum Premium") with respect to such insurance, or, if the cost of such
coverage exceeds the Maximum Premium, the maximum amount of coverage that can be
purchased or maintained for the Maximum Premium.

     (c) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under paragraph
(a) of this Section 8.7, upon learning of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, shall promptly notify Parent thereof, provided that
the failure of an Indemnified Party to promptly notify Parent shall not relieve
Parent of its obligations under this Section 8.7 except to the extent Parent is
materially prejudiced by such failure. In the event of any such claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective
Time), (i) Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall have the right to assume
the defense thereof and Parent shall not be liable to such Indemnified Parties
for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently
incurred by such Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof,
(ii) the Indemnified Parties will cooperate in the defense of any such matter
and (iii) Parent shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its
prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and
provided further that Parent shall not have any 

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party when and if a court of competent
jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination shall have
become final, that the indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the manner
contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable law.

     (d)  Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, in the event
that any claim for which coverage under Company's directors' and officers'
liability insurance policy would be available is not paid pursuant to such
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy because such amount does not
exceed the "deductible" or "retention amount" of such policy, Parent or Sub 
shall promptly, at the election of the director or officer, reimburse or pay or
promptly cause Company to reimburse or pay any officer or director for any
amount, up to an aggregate of $500,000 for all officers and directors, payable
or paid because such amount is not in excess of the "deductible" or the
"retention amount". In the event that rights shall be reserved with regard to
whether coverage for any claim is available under Company's directors' and
officers' insurance policy, upon written request from an officer or director,
Parent or Sub shall pay or cause Company to pay, upon receipt of an undertaking
from the officer or director making the written request to reimburse any amounts
paid if it is ultimately determined that coverage with respect to such claim is
not available under such policy, any officer or director for any amount, up to
an aggregate of $500,000, together with all other amounts payable pursuant to
this subsection (d) of this Section 8.7 for all officers and directors, payable
by such persons because such amount is not in excess of the "deductible" or
"retention amount".

      Section 8.8   Expenses.  Except as set forth in this Section 8.8, whether
or not the Merger is consummated all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall
be paid by the party incurring such expenses except that those expenses incurred
in connection with printing the Schedule 14D-9, the Proxy Statement  and any
information statement, as well as the filing fee relating to the Proxy Statement
and any information statement will be shared equally by Parent and Company.

      Section 8.9   Additional Agreements.  Subject to the terms and conditions
herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including using all reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary waivers, consents
and approvals and to effect all necessary registrations and filings.  In case
at any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers
and/or directors of Parent, Sub and Company shall take all such necessary
action.

      Section 8.10  Certain Employee Benefits.  Parent and Company agree to take
the action described in Schedule 8.10 hereto.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
    Section 8.11   Notification of Certain Matters.  Company shall give prompt
notice to Parent of:  (a) any notice of, or other communication relating to, any
actual or alleged noncompliance with any state licensure law, rule or regulation
or any laws, rules, regulations, manuals and other conditions relating to the
Medicare and Medicaid programs or any other government health care program or
third party payor requirements except for such instances of noncompliance which,
individually, or in the aggregate, would be immaterial to the financial
condition, operation, properties, prospects, business or results of operations
of Company and Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or a default or event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default, received by
Company or any of its subsidiaries subsequent to the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Effective Time, under any Contract to which Company or any of
Company Subsidiaries is a party or is subject except for defaults or events
which, individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have
a Company Material Adverse Effect; (b) any material adverse change in the
business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of
Company and Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the occurrence of any event
which, so far as reasonably can be foreseen at the time of its occurrence, would
result in any such change.  Each of Company and Parent shall give prompt notice
to the other party of any notice or other communication from any third party
alleging that the consent of such third party is or may be required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
occurrence or failure to occur of an event that would, or, with the lapse of
time could reasonably be expected to cause any representation or warranty of
Company in this Agreement to become inaccurate in any material respect.

     Section 8.12   Consummation of the Merger.  Parent and Sub shall take such
reasonable actions as may be reasonably necessary to cause the Effective Time to
occur as promptly as reasonably practicable following consummation of the
Amended Offer.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

      Section 9.1   Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect The Merger.
The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject
to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:

     (a) Any waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger under
the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.

                                     -31-

<PAGE>
 
     (b) To the extent required by the GCL, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite vote
or consent of the stockholders of Company in accordance with applicable law.

     (c) No court or other Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall
have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
regulation, judgment, decree, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order
which is in effect and prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement (collectively, an "Order").

     (d) Each of Company and Parent shall have obtained such consents from
Governmental Entities in addition to pursuant to the HSR Act as shall be
required and which are material to Parent or Company and to consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     (e) Sub shall have purchased Shares pursuant to the Offer.

      Section 9.2   Conditions to Obligation of Company to Effect the Merger.
The obligation of Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following additional
condition:

     (a) Each of Parent and Sub shall have performed in all material respects
its obligations under this Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior
to the Effective Time and the representations and warranties of Parent and Sub
contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time, except as
contemplated by this Agreement, and Company shall have received a certificate of
the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or an
Executive Vice President of Parent as to the satisfaction of this condition.

      Section 9.3   Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Sub to Effect The
Merger. The obligations of Parent and Sub to effect the Merger shall be subject
to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
additional condition:

     (a) Company shall have performed in all material respects its obligations
under this Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior to the earlier
of (i) the time that persons designated by Parent are appointed as directors of
Company pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof and (ii) the Effective Time and the
representations and warranties of Company contained in this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects at and as of the earlier of (i) the
time that persons designated by Parent are appointed as directors of Company
pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof and (ii) the Effective Time as if made at and as
of such time, except as contemplated by this Agreement, and Parent and Sub shall
have 

                                      -32-
 
<PAGE>
 
received a Certificate of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Operating
Officer, or an Executive Vice President of Company as to the satisfaction of
this condition.

                                   ARTICLE X

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

      Section 10.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time
before the Effective Time, either before or after the approval of the
stockholders of Company shall have been obtained, in each case as authorized by
the respective Board of Directors of Parent or Company:

     (a) By mutual written consent of the parties;

     (b) By either Parent or Company if the Merger shall not have been 
consummated on or before November 30, 1997 (the "Termination Date"); provided,
however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(b)
shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation
under this Agreement has been directly or indirectly the cause of, or resulted
in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before the Termination
Date;

     (c) By either Parent or Company if a court of competent jurisdiction or
Governmental Entity shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any
other action (which order, decree or ruling the parties shall use their
commercially reasonable efforts to lift), in each case permanently restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become
final and nonappealable;

     (d) By Parent if Company shall be in material breach of its obligations
under this Agreement and such breach has not been cured within ten days' written
notice thereof to Company; or by Company if Parent or Sub shall be in material
breach of their respective obligations under this Agreement and such breach has
not been cured within ten days' notice thereof to Parent.

     (e) By Parent if the Board of Directors of Company (i) shall withdraw or
modify (or publicly announce an intention to withdraw or modify) in any adverse
manner its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, (ii)
shall approve or recommend any Acquisition Proposal, other than by a party to
this Agreement or an affiliate of Parent or (iii) shall resolve to take any of
the actions specified in clause (i) or (ii) above;

                                     -33-
<PAGE>
 
     (f) By either Parent or Company if any required approval of the
stockholders of  Company shall fail to have been obtained;

     (g) By Company upon five days' prior written notice to Parent, if, as a
result of a written Acquisition Proposal received by Company from a person other
than Parent or any of its affiliates, the Board of Directors of Company
determines in good faith and in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Section 8.2 that the members' fiduciary obligations under applicable law require
that such Acquisition Proposal be accepted; provided, however, that (i) the
Board of Directors of Company shall have determined in good faith, after
considering applicable provisions of state law and after giving effect to all
concessions, if any, which have been offered by Parent pursuant to clause (ii)
below, on the basis of oral or written advice of outside counsel, that such
action is required by the members' fiduciary obligations under applicable law,
and (ii) prior to any such termination, Company shall, and shall cause its
respective financial and legal advisors to, negotiate with Parent to make such
adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable such
party to proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however,
that no termination shall be effective pursuant to  Section 10.1(g) under
circumstances in which a Company Termination Fee (as defined below) is payable
by the terminating party under Section 10.2(b) unless concurrently with such
termination such termination fee is paid in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 10.2(b); or

     (h) By Parent if the Board of Directors of Company shall have failed to
take any of the actions contemplated by Section 8.3(a) as a result of the
exercise of its rights under Section 8.3(c).

     Section 10.2  Effect of Termination.

     (a) In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided in Section
10.1 hereof, and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement
shall forthwith become void and there shall be no liability on the part of any
of the parties or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or
representatives, except (i) as set forth in this Section 10.2 and in Sections
8.1 and 8.8 and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for
any breach hereof.

     (b) If (x) (i) the Offer and the Amended Offer shall together in the
aggregate have remained open for a minimum of at least 20 business days, (ii) a
number of Shares necessary to satisfy the Minimum Condition (as defined in Annex
A) shall not have been validly tendered and not withdrawn and the Amended Offer
is terminated without the purchase of any Shares thereunder, (iii) no Offer
Order shall be in effect (as defined in Annex A), (iv) a competing Acquisition
Proposal which provides for a transaction equal to or more favorable to
Company's shareholders from a financial point of view than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be made prior to the termination of the

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
Amended Offer, and (v) Company or any Company Subsidiary shall consummate an
Acquisition Transaction within eighteen months after the termination of this
Agreement or (y) Parent shall have terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section
10.1(e) or (h) hereof, or (z) Company shall have terminated (or seek to
terminate) this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(g) hereof, then at the
request of Parent, Company shall promptly, but in no event later than two days
after the date of such request, pay Parent a fee of $17,415,000 which amount
shall be payable in cash in same day funds plus an amount equal to Parent's out-
of-pocket expenses up to $2,000,000, including fees and expenses paid to
investment bankers, lawyers and financing sources, incurred in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that, in no event 
shall the Company be required to pay more than $19,415,000 pursuant to this 
Section 10.2(b).

     (c) Parent and Company agree that the agreements contained in Section
10.2(b) above are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty.  If Company fails
to promptly pay any fee due under such Section 10.2(b), Company shall pay the
costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) in connection with any
action, including the filing of any lawsuit or other legal action, taken to
collect payment, together with interest on the amount of any unpaid fee at the
publicly announced reference rate of Bank of America N.T. & S.A. from the date
such fee was required to be paid.

      Section 10.3  Amendment.  Subject to applicable provisions of the GCL,
this Agreement may be amended by the parties pursuant to a writing adopted by
action taken by all of the parties at any time before the Effective Time.

      Section 10.4  Waiver.  At any time before the Effective Time, any party
hereto may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other parties, (ii) waive, in whole or in part, any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto or waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions contained herein.  Any agreement on the part of a party
to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only as against such party and
only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by such party.  At any time
after the appointment of persons designated by Parent as directors of Company
pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof, a majority of the directors of Company who are
not Parent Insiders may grant such extensions or waivers.

                                  ARTICLE XI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Section 11.1  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.  No
representations, warranties or agreements contained herein shall survive beyond
the Effective Time, except that the representations, warranties or agreements
contained in 

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 8.5, 8.7, and 8.10 hereof shall survive beyond the
Effective Time. Such representations, warranties and agreements shall be deemed
to have been made to, and may be enforced by, (i) the Holders in the case of
Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3, (ii) holders of Options in the case of Section 8.5,
(iii) the persons referred to in Sections 8.7 and Schedule 8.10 in the case of
Sections 8.7 and 8.10, respectively, in each case after the appointment of
persons designated by Parent as directors of Company pursuant to Section 3.4
hereof or the Effective Time, whichever is earlier. Prior to such time, such
persons shall not be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

      Section 11.2  Notices.  All notices, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given or
made as follows: (i) if delivered personally, upon receipt; (ii) if sent by
registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), upon
receipt; (iii) if sent by reputable overnight air courier (such as Federal
Express or DHL), two business days after mailing; or (iv) if sent by facsimile
transmission, with a copy mailed as provided in clauses (ii) or (iii) above,
when transmitted and receipt is confirmed by telephone.  Such notices, claims,
demands and other communications shall be sent to the respective parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice):

     (a)  If  to Company, to:

          Transitional Hospitals Corporation
          5110 West Sahara Boulevard
          Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
          Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

     with a copy to:

          Transitional Hospitals Corporation
          5110 West Sahara Boulevard
          Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
          Attention:  General Counsel

     and:

          Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs,
          Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, LLP
          2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1800
          Los Angeles, California 90067
          Attention:  Stephen D. Silbert

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)  if to Parent or Sub, to:

          Vencor, Inc.
          3300 Providian Center
          400 West Market Street
          Louisville, Kentucky 40202
          Attention: Sr. Vice President Planning
                      and Development

     with copies to:

          Vencor, Inc.
          3300 Providian Center
          400 West Market Street
          Louisville, Kentucky 40202
          Attention:  General Counsel

and

          Sullivan & Cromwell
          125 Broad Street
          New York, New York 10004
          Attention:  Joseph B. Frumkin

      Section 11.3  Descriptive Headings; Dating.  The headings contained in
this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  References herein to "The Date
of this Agreement", "as of the date hereof", "prior to the date hereof" or
similar expressions shall for all purposes shall be deemed to refer to as of
June 12, 1997.

      Section 11.4  Entire Agreement, Assignment.  This Agreement (including the
Exhibits, Annexes, Schedules, Disclosure Schedules and other documents and
instruments referred to herein) and the Confidentiality Letter (i) constitutes
the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral among the parties or any of them, with
respect to the subject matter hereof; (ii) except as set forth in Section 11.1
hereof, is not intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies
hereunder; and (iii) shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise.

      Section 11.5  Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement or the
application of any such provision shall be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision
hereof. In lieu of any such invalid, illegal or unenforceable

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as part of this
Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid, legal and enforceable.

      Section 11.6  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without giving
effect to the provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law.  Each party
irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the courts of the State of Nevada located in Clark County, Nevada, and the
courts of the United States of America located in Clark County, Nevada (the
"Nevada Courts"), for any litigation arising out of or relating to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence
any litigation relating thereto except in the Nevada Courts), waives any
objection to the laying of venue of any such litigation in the Nevada Courts and
agrees not to plead or claim in any Nevada Court that such litigation brought
therein has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  In any action between
Parent, Company or the Surviving Corporation and any of the individuals referred
to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the second sentence of Section 11.1, the
prevailing party in any such action brought pursuant to Section 11.1 thereof
shall be entitled to recover its reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel.

      Section 11.7  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed on behalf of its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the
date first above written.
 
 
Attest:                               VENCOR, INC.                        
/s/                                       /s/
__________________                    By:________________________________
Name:                                 Name:______________________________
Title: Secretary                      Title:_____________________________
                                                                          
                                                                          
Attest:                               LV ACQUISITION CORP.                
/s/                                       /s/
__________________                    By:________________________________
Name:                                 Name:______________________________
Title: Secretary                      Title:_____________________________
                                                                          
                                                                          
Attest:                               TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION 
/s/                                       /s/
__________________                    By:________________________________
Name:                                 Name:______________________________
Title: Secretary                      Title:_____________________________

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX A
                                    -------


     Notwithstanding any other provision of the Amended Offer, until receipt of
all approvals under health care licensing, certificate of need, change of
ownership  laws and regulations and similar matters which are material to Parent
or Company or to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
neither Parent nor Sub, shall be required to accept for payment or, subject to
any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including Rules 14e-l(c)
promulgated under the Exchange Act (relating to Parent's obligation to pay for
or return tendered shares promptly after termination or withdrawal of the
Amended Offer), neither Parent nor Sub shall be required to pay for, or may
delay the acceptance for payment of or payment for, any tendered shares, or may
(subject to the Merger Agreement) terminate or amend the Amended Offer as to any
Shares not then accepted for payment if at least two-thirds of the total Shares
outstanding on a fully diluted basis at such time shall not have been properly
and validly tendered pursuant to the Amended Offer and not withdrawn prior to
the expiration of the Amended Offer (the "Minimum Condition"), or, if on or
after June 12, 1997 and at or before the Expiration Date of the Amended Offer
any of the following events shall occur (subject to any required extension of
the Amended Offer as provided in the Merger Agreement):

     (a) Company shall have breached or failed to perform in any material
respect any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under the Merger
Agreement which failure is incapable of being cured or has not been cured within
ten days after the giving of notice to Company (provided, that if such notice is
given within ten days of the expiration date, the expiration date will be
extended so as to provide Company with a minimum of ten days from the date of
such written notice to cure such breach or failure) or any representation or
warranty of Company set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have been inaccurate
or incomplete in any material respect when made or thereafter shall become
inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect;

     (b) any court or other Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, judgment,
decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
which is in effect and (i) prohibits consummation of the Amended Offer or (ii)
imposes material restrictions on Parent, Sub or Company in connection with
consummation of the Amended Offer or with respect to their business operations,
either prior to or subsequent to the consummation of the Offer (collectively, an
"Offer Order"); provided that, Parent shall have used best reasonable efforts to
                -------- ----                                                  
cause any such Offer Order to be lifted.

     (c) any person, entity or group shall have entered into a definitive
agreement with Company with respect to a tender offer or exchange offer for some
portion or all of the Shares or a merger, consolidation or other business
combination with or involving Company;

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
     (d) the Board of Directors of Company (i) shall withdraw or modify (or
publicly announce an intention to withdraw or modify) in any adverse manner its
approval or recommendation of the  Merger Agreement, the Amended Offer or the
Merger, (ii) shall approve or recommend any Acquisition Proposal, other than by
Parent, Sub or an affiliate thereof, or (iii) shall resolve to take any of the
actions specified in clause (i) or (ii) above; or

     (e) the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated by Company or Parent or
Sub in accordance with its terms or Parent or Sub shall have reached an
agreement or understanding in writing with Company providing for termination or
amendment of the Amended Offer or delay in payment for the Shares;

which, in the reasonable judgment of Parent and Sub, in any such case, and
regardless of the circumstances (including any permitted action or inaction by
Parent or Sub, but excluding any action or inaction by Parent or Sub in breach
of the Merger Agreement) giving rise to any such conditions, makes it
inadvisable to proceed with the Amended Offer and/or with such acceptance for
payment of or payment for Shares.

     The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and Sub and may
be asserted by Parent or Sub regardless of the circumstances (including any
permitted action or inaction by Parent or Sub but excluding any action or
inaction by Parent or Sub in breach of the Merger Agreement) giving rise to such
condition or may be waived by Parent or Sub, by and specific action to that
effect in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in its sole
discretion.

                                      A-2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.24
 
                        AMENDMENT TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                
        Amendment to Rights Agreement (the "Amendment") dated as of June 18, 
1997 between Transitional Hospitals Corporation, a Nevada corporation formerly 
known as Community Psychiatric Centers (the "Company"), and ChaseMellon 
Shareholders Services, LLC, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------

        The parties entered into that certain Rights Agreement (the "Rights 
Agreement") dated as of June 21, 1996. The parties wish to amend the Rights 
Agreement as set forth more fully in this Amendment.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements 
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

        Section 1.      Certain Definitions.  Unless otherwise set forth herein,
                        -------------------  
capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in 
the Rights Agreement.

        Section 2.      Amendments of Section 1.
                        -----------------------

                (a)     Section 1.1 shall be amended to include the following
after the final sentence:

                        "Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Acquiror (as such
                        term is hereinafter defined) shall not be an Acquiring
                        Person for purposes of this Rights Agreement."

                (b)     Section 1.9 shall be amended to include the following 
after the final sentence:

                        "Notwithstanding anything contained in this Rights
                        Agreement to the contrary, the proposal and/or
                        consummation of the Present Acquisition (as such term is
                        hereinafter defined) shall not result in the occurrence
                        of a Shares Acquisition Date."

                (c)     Section 1.12 shall be amended to include the following 
after the final sentence:

                        "Notwithstanding anything contained in this Rights
                        Agreement to the contrary, the Board of Directors of the
                        Company, after having received


 
<PAGE>
 
                    advice from Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
                    has determined that the Present Acquisition is at
                    at a price and on terms which are fair to the
                    shareholders of the Company (taking into account
                    all factors which the Board of Directors deems 
                    relevant, including without limitation, prices
                    which could reasonably be achieved if the 
                    Company or its assets were sold on an orderly
                    basis designed to realize maximum value) and is
                    otherwise in the best interests of the Company
                    and its shareholders and the proposal or 
                    consummation of the Present Acquisition shall not
                    result in a Trigger Event."

               (d)  Section 1 shall be amended by the addition of the
                    following definitions:

                    "1.14 "Acquiror" shall mean LV Acquisition Corp., 
                    a Delaware corporation ("Vencor Sub") and a wholly 
                    owned subsidiary of Vencor, Inc., a Delaware 
                    corporation ("Vencor") and each of their respective 
                    Affiliates, Associates, Subsidiaries, successors 
                    and assigns."
                    
                    "1.15 "Present Acquisitions" shall mean the transactions,
                    including without limitation the Offer, the Amended Offer
                    and the Merger (as such terms are defined in the Vencor
                    Merger Agreement (as defined below)) contemplated by the
                    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 18, 1997 by
                    and among Vencor, Vencor Sub and the Company, as such
                    agreement and transactions may be amended from time to time
                    (the "Vencor Merger Agreement")."

     Section 3.     Amendment of Section 3.1.  Section 3.1 shall be amended to
                    ------------------------
include the following after the final sentence:

                    "Notwithstanding anything contained in this
                    Rights Agreement to the contrary, no Distribution
                    Date shall be deemed to have occurred as a result
                    of the proposal and/or consummation of the Present
                    Acquisition and no action taken by Vencor, Vencor
                    Sub and each of the respective

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          Affiliates, Associates and Subsidiaries in
          connection with the Vencor Merger Agreement
          shall require the Rights Agent to distribute Right
          Certificates to any holder of Common Shares."

     Section 4.   Amendment of Section 7.1. Section 7.1 shall be amended to 
                  ------------------------
include the following after the final sentence:

          "Notwithstanding anything contained in this
          Rights Agreement to the contrary, the proposal
          and/or consummation of the Present Acquisition
          shall not result in the exercisability of the Rights
          in whole or in part at any time."

     Section 5.   Amendment of Section 11.12. Section 11.1.2 shall be amended to
                  --------------------------
include the following after the last sentence:

          "Notwithstanding anything contained in this
          Rights Agreement to the contrary, no event in 
          subsection (A) or (B) first appearing above shall
          be deemed to have occurred as a result of the
          proposal or consummation of the Present
          Acquisition."

     Section 6.  Amendment of Section 13.1. Section 13.1 shall be amended to 
                 -------------------------
include the following after the last sentence:

          "Notwithstanding anything contained in this
          Section 13.1 or in the Rights Agreement to the
          contrary, no exercise of the Rights shall be
          triggered or initiated because of the proposal
          and/or consummation of the Present Acquisition."

     Section 7.  Amendment of Section 13.2. Section 13.2 shall be amended to 
                 -------------------------
include the following after the last sentence:

          "Notwithstanding anything contained in this
          Section 13.2 or in the Rights Agreement to the
          contrary, no exercise of the Rights shall be
          triggered or initiated because of the proposal
          and/or consummation of the Present Acquisition."

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     Section 8.     Addition of New Section 34.  The Rights Agreement shall be 
                    -------------------------- 
amended by the addition of the following immediately after Section 33:

               "Section 34. Effect of Rights Agreement upon 
                            -------------------------------  
                Present Acquisition: Termination.
                --------------------------------
                Notwithstanding anything contained in this Rights
                Agreement to the contrary, no provision of this
                Rights Agreement providing holders of Rights 
                with the ability to exercise such Rights shall be
                triggered as a result of the Present Acquisition.
                Upon consummation of the Present Acquisition
                according to its terms this Rights Agreement and
                the rights of holders of Rights hereunder shall 
                terminate without further action by any of the
                parties hereto."

     Section 9.     Effect of Amendment.  All other provisions of the Rights
                    -------------------    
Agreement not subject to amendment herein shall remain in full force and effect.


     Section 10.    Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number
                    ------------  
of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed 
to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one 
and the same instrument.

     Section 11.    Descriptive Heading.  Descriptive heading of the several 
                    -------------------
Sections of this Amendment are inserted for convenience only and shall not 
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be 
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.



                                              TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS
                                              CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation
                                              formerly known as Community 
                                              Psychiatric Centers


                                              By: /s/ Julia Kopta
                                                 ------------------
                                              Name:  Julia Kopta
                                              Title: Corp Secty




                                              CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER
                                              SERVICES, L.L.C., as Rights Agent



                                              By: /s/ Mary Ann McElroy
                                                  --------------------
                                                  Mary Ann McElroy
                                                  Relationship Manager
 
                                       5


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