EXHIBIT A
March 15, 2002
To: Welsh, Carson, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ VIII, L.P.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
From: Bank of America, N.A.
c/o Banc of America Securities LLC
Equity Financial Products
▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile:  212-230-8610
Re: Forward Delivery Transaction
Reference: NY-8535
          The purpose of this letter agreement is to confirm the terms and
conditions of the Transaction entered into between Bank of America, N.A. (either
"BofA" or "Party A") and Welsh, Carson, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ VIII, L.P. (either the
"Counterparty" or "Party B") on the Trade Date specified below (the
"Transaction"). This letter agreement constitutes a "Confirmation" as referred
to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below.
          The definitions and provisions contained in the 1996 ISDA Equity
Derivatives Definitions (the "Equity Definitions"), as published by the
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into
this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Equity
Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. This
Confirmation evidences a complete binding agreement between the Counterparty and
BofA as to the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This
Transaction shall be considered to be a Share Transaction for purposes of the
Equity Definitions.
          Each party is hereby advised, and each such party acknowledges, that
the other party has engaged in, or refrained from engaging in, substantial
financial transactions and has taken other material actions in reliance upon the
parties' entry into the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates on the
terms and conditions set forth below.
1. If the Counterparty and BofA have entered into an ISDA Master Agreement (the
"Agreement"), then this Confirmation supplements, forms a part of, and is
subject to, that Agreement, as amended and supplemented from time to time. All
provisions contained in the Agreement govern this Confirmation except as
expressly modified below. If the Counterparty and BofA have not entered into an
ISDA Master Agreement, then they agree to use all reasonable efforts to promptly
negotiate, execute and deliver an agreement in the form of the ISDA Master
Agreement (Multicurrency-Cross Border) (the "ISDA Form"), with such
modifications as the Counterparty and BofA will in good faith agree. Upon the
execution of such an agreement, this Confirmation will supplement, form a part
of, and be subject to, that agreement. All provisions contained or incorporated
by reference in that agreement upon its execution will govern this Confirmation
except as expressly modified below. Until the parties execute and deliver that
agreement, this Confirmation, together with all other documents relating to the
ISDA Form (each a "Confirmation") confirming transactions (each a "Transaction")
entered into between us (notwithstanding anything to the contrary in a
Confirmation), shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement
in the form of the ISDA Form as if we had executed an agreement in such form
(without any Schedule, but with the elections made herein) on the Trade Date of
the first such Transaction between us (such agreement, or the ISDA Form,
hereinafter the "Agreement"). In the event of any inconsistency between the
provisions of the Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will
prevail for the purpose of this Transaction.
2. The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates
are as follows:
(a) General Terms:
     Trade Date:                       March 15, 2002
     Effective Date:                   May 20, 2002
     Shares:                           The common shares of Triad Hospitals,
                                       Inc. (the "Issuer") (Exchange symbol
                                       "TRI")
     Exchange:                         New York Stock Exchange
     Related Exchanges:                Chicago Board Options Exchange,
                                       Chicago Mercantile Exchange and
                                       Pacific Stock Exchange
     Maturity Date:                    The final Valuation Date (expected to be
                                       May 15, 2003)
     Exchange Business Day:            Any day on which there is trading of the
                                       Shares on the Exchange
     Settlement Currency:              USD
     Clearance System:                 The customary manner for delivery of
                                       Shares in certificated form bearing a
                                       Rule 145 restrictive legend.
(b)  Determination of Number of Shares to be Delivered:
     Number of Shares to be Delivered: For each Settlement Date, the sum of the
                                       Daily Forward Delivery Amounts for each
                                       Valuation Date that has occurred up to
                                       and including the Settlement Valuation
                                       Date with respect to such Settlement Date
                                       for which settlement has not occurred.
     Daily Forward Delivery Amount:    For each Valuation Date on which a
                                       Forward Delivery Event occurs (on a per
                                       day, non-cumulative basis), 4,000 Shares.
                                       For each other Valuation Date, zero
                                       Shares.
     Forward Delivery Event:           Any Valuation Date on which the Closing
                                       Price is greater than the Threshold
                                       Price.
     Closing Price:                    The closing price per Share on the
                                       Exchange at the Valuation Time on each
                                       Valuation Date
     Valuation Time:                   At the close of trading during the
                                       regular trading session on the Exchange
     Valuation Date:                   Each of the 250 Exchange Business Days
                                       immediately following the Effective Date,
                                       unless there is a Market Disruption Event
                                       on any such day. If there is a Market
                                       Disruption Event on such a day, then the
                                       Valuation Date that would have occurred
                                       on such day shall be postponed and shall
                                       be the first succeeding Exchange Business
                                       Day on which there is no Market
                                       Disruption Event, unless there is a
                                       Market Disruption Event on each of the
                                       five Exchange Business Days
                                       immediately following the original date
                                       that would have been the Valuation Date
                                       (the "Scheduled Valuation Date"). In that
                                       case, (i) that fifth Exchange Business
                                       Day shall be deemed to be the Valuation
                                       Date, for such Exchange Business Day and
                                       each of the five immediately preceding
                                       Exchange Business Days, notwithstanding
                                       the Market Disruption Event, (ii) the
                                       Calculation Agent shall determine whether
                                       or not a Forward Delivery Event has
                                       occurred for such Exchange Business Day
                                       and each of the five immediately
                                       preceding Exchange Business Days based on
                                       its good faith estimate of the closing
                                       price for the Share that would have
                                       prevailed but for that Market Disruption
                                       Event as of the Valuation Time on that
                                       fifth Exchange Business Day and such good
                                       faith estimate shall be the Closing
                                       Price.
                                       Any Valuation Dates that occur on the
                                       same day as a result of the postponements
                                       set forth hereof shall be counted
                                       separately for purposes of determining
                                       the Maturity Date.
                                       For the avoidance of doubt, the first two
                                       lines of Section 4.3(a) of the Equity
                                       Definitions are amended to read: 'Section
                                       4.3 Market Disruption Event. (a) "Market
                                       Disruption Event" in relation to a
                                       Forward Delivery Transaction means:'.
     Threshold Price:                  U.S. $34.2278
     Forward Delivery Price:           U.S. $41.7905
(c)  Physical Settlement Terms:
     Physical Settlement:              Applicable, unless the Counterparty
                                       elects Cash Settlement in accordance with
                                       the terms set forth below. If Physical
                                       Settlement is applicable, on each
                                       Settlement Date, BofA shall pay to
                                       Counterparty an amount expressed in the
                                       Settlement Currency equal to the
                                       Settlement Price, and Counterparty shall
                                       deliver to BofA the Number of Shares to
                                       be Delivered through the Clearance System
                                       on a delivery versus payment basis. For
                                       the avoidance of doubt, it is understood
                                       that physical delivery of certificates
                                       for Shares bearing a Rule 145 restrictive
                                       legend will be an appropriate manner of
                                       delivery.
     Settlement Price:                 The  Number  of  Shares  to be  Delivered
                                       multiplied  by the  Forward  Delivery
                                       Price(subject to the Additional
                                       Conditions as set forth below)
     Settlement Valuation Date:        The Friday of each week, from and
                                       including May 24, 2002, to and and
                                       including the Maturity Date, or if such
                                       day is not an Exchange Business Day, the
                                       next following Exchange Business Day,
                                       unless there is a Market Disruption Event
                                       on such day in which case the terms as
                                       set forth under the definition of
                                       "Valuation Date" shall apply
     Settlement Date:                  The third  Clearance  System  Business
                                       Day following each Settlement Valuation
                                       Date, unless a Settlement Disruption
                                       Event prevents delivery of the Shares on
                                       such day. If a
                                       Settlement Disruption Event prevents
                                       delivery on such day, then the Settlement
                                       Date will be the first succeeding day on
                                       which delivery of the Shares can take
                                       place through the relevant Clearance
                                       System unless a Settlement Disruption
                                       Event prevents settlement on each of the
                                       10 relevant Clearance System Business
                                       Days immediately following the original
                                       date that, but for the Settlement
                                       Disruption Event, would have been the
                                       Settlement Date. In that case, (a) if
                                       such Shares can be delivered in any other
                                       commercially reasonable manner, then the
                                       Settlement Date will be the first day on
                                       which settlement of a sale of Shares
                                       executed on that 10th relevant Clearance
                                       System Business Day customarily would
                                       take place using such other commercially
                                       reasonable manner of delivery (which
                                       other manner of delivery will be deemed
                                       the relevant Clearance System for the
                                       purposes of the delivery of the relevant
                                       Shares), and (b) if such Shares cannot be
                                       delivered in any other commercially
                                       reasonable manner, then the Settlement
                                       Date will be postponed until delivery can
                                       be effected through the relevant
                                       Clearance System or in any other
                                       commercially reasonable manner.
                                       With respect to each Settlement Date, the
                                       provisions of Sections 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8
                                       and 6.10 of the Equity Definitions will
                                       be applicable, except that all references
                                       in such provisions to "Physically-Settled
                                       option Transaction" shall be read as
                                       references to a "Forward Delivery
                                       Transaction".
       Additional Conditions:          If Physical Settlement is applicable the
                                       Counterparty shall to the satisfaction of
                                       BofA cause the Shares to be delivered on
                                       each Settlement Date without any legend
                                       restricting transfer on the certificate
                                       evidencing such Shares other than a Rule
                                       145 restrictive legend. The Counterparty
                                       will use commercially reasonable efforts
                                       to assist BofA in obtaining the removal
                                       of any Rule 145 restrictive legend in
                                       order to effectuate the settlement of a
                                       resale of such Shares by BofA or an
                                       affiliate of BofA in a transaction
                                       effected in accordance with Rule
                                       145(d)(1) or (2) under the Securities Act
                                       of 1933, as amended (a "Rule 145(d)
                                       Sale"), including but not limited to, the
                                       delivery of certificates or documents as
                                       to matters of fact regarding the
                                       Counterparty required by the Transfer
                                       Agent or the Issuer in connection with
                                       such sales.
(d) Cash Settlement Terms:
    Option to Cash Settle:             Counterparty shall have the right, but
                                       not the obligation, to cash settle any
                                       Daily Forward Delivery Amount, in whole,
                                       but not in part, by executing to and
                                       delivering written notice specifying that
                                       Cash Settlement applies on any Currency
                                       Business Day that is at least five (5)
                                       Currency Business Days prior to the
                                       applicable Settlement Valuation Date.
    Settlement Price:                  The Number of Shares to be Delivered
                                       multiplied by the Forward Delivery Price
    Cash Settlement:                   If Cash Settlement is applicable, BofA
                                       shall pay to the Counterparty the
                                       Settlement Price and Counterparty shall
                                       pay to BofA an amount equal to the Number
                                       of Shares to be Delivered times the Cash
                                       Settlement Price and such payment
                                       obligation shall be netted.
    Settlement Currency:               U.S. Dollars
    Cash Settlement Price:             The closing price per Share on the
                                       Exchange at the Valuation Time on the
                                       Settlement Valuation Date
    Cash Settlement Payment Date:      Three Currency Business Days following
                                       each Settlement Valuation Date
Adjustments:
Method of Adjustment:                  Calculation Agent Adjustment, where
                                       following any Potential Adjustment Event,
                                       the Calculation Agent will determine
                                       whether such Potential Adjustment Event
                                       has a material effect on the theoretical
                                       value of the Transaction, and if so, will
                                       (i) make the corresponding adjustments,
                                       if any, to any one or more of, the
                                       Forward Delivery Price, Threshold Price,
                                       Settlement Price, Daily Forward Delivery
                                       Amount, Number of Shares to be Delivered,
                                       and any other variable relevant to the
                                       valuation, settlement or payment terms of
                                       this Transaction (including but not
                                       limited to the payment of any
                                       extraordinary dividends to BofA) as the
                                       Calculation Agent reasonably determines
                                       appropriate to account for that material
                                       effect and (ii) determine the effective
                                       date of the adjustment.
Extraordinary Events:
    Consequence of Merger Events
    (a)  Share-for-Share:              Alternative Obligation, where on or after
                                       the relevant Merger Date, in the case of
                                       Forward Delivery Transaction, the number
                                       of New Shares to which a holder of the
                                       Forward Delivery Amounts would be
                                       entitled upon consummation of the Merger
                                       Event will be deemed to be the Forward
                                       Delivery Amounts, and the New Shares and
                                       their issuer will be deemed the "Shares"
                                       and the "Issuer" respectively, and if
                                       necessary, the Calculation Agent will
                                       adjust any of relevant terms accordingly.
                                       Notwithstanding the above, the
                                       Calculation Agent will determine if such
                                       Merger Event adjustment affects the
                                       theoretical value of the Transaction and
                                       if so, may in its reasonable discretion
                                       make any adjustments to the terms of the
                                       Transaction as it deems necessary to
                                       reflect the characteristics (including
                                       without limitation, the volatility,
                                       dividend practice and policy and
                                       liquidity) of the New Shares.
    (b)  Share-for-Other:              Cancellation and Payment (as defined
                                       below)
    (c)  Share-for-Combined:           Cancellation and Payment (as defined
                                       below)
Nationalization, Insolvency
or De-Listing Event:                   Cancellation and Payment (as defined
                                       below)
"De-Listing Event" means that the Shares cease to be listed on, or quoted by,
any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq
Stock Market (or their respective successors) for any reason (other than a
Merger Event). Upon the occurrence of a De-Listing Event, Cancellation and
Payment (as defined below) will apply, with the Announcement Date deemed to be
the date that the De-Listing Event first occurs (as determined by the
Calculation Agent).
Cancellation and Payment means, in the case of a Forward Delivery Transaction,
the Transaction will be cancelled as of the Merger Date, in the case of a Merger
Event, or the Announcement Date in the case of a Nationalization, Insolvency or
De-Listing Event, and Counterparty will pay to BofA or BofA shall pay to the
Counterparty, as the case may be, an amount in cash equal to the "Termination
Value", such payment to be made not later than three Currency Business Days
following the determination by the Calculation Agent of such amount (denominated
in the currency for settlement of the Transactions as determined by the
Calculation Agent). The "Termination Value" shall be an amount as determined by
the Calculation Agent representing the fair value to BofA and its affiliates and
the Counterparty of an agreement that would preserve for BofA and its affiliates
and the Counterparty the economic equivalent of the aggregate payment and
deliveries in respect of the Forward Delivery Transaction that would have been
required but for the occurrence of the Merger Event, Nationalization, Insolvency
or De-Listing Event (taking into account any adjustment that may have been
calculated on or prior to such date). The Calculation Agent shall calculate such
amount based on the following factors (and such other factors as it deems
appropriate) (i) the volatility of the Shares, (ii) dividends on the Shares,
(iii) a value ascribed to the Shares equal to the consideration, if any, paid in
respect of such Shares to holders of such Shares at the time of the Merger
Event, Nationalization, Insolvency or De-Listing Event (iv) prevailing interest
rates, and (v) a term equal to the number of days from the Announcement Date
through and including the Maturity Date. For the avoidance of doubt, for
purposes of calculating the value of this Transaction on any given day, such
value shall be based on a number of Shares equal to the Maximum Number of Daily
Forward Delivery Amounts for such Transaction.
Maximum Number of Daily Forward Delivery Amounts means, for any day from but
excluding the Trade Date, to and including the Maturity Date, an amount as
determined by the Calculation Agent equal to the sum of the Daily Forward
Delivery Amounts for each day up to and including the Maturity Date for which
settlement has not occurred, assuming for purposes of calculating the Maximum
Number of Daily Forward Delivery Amounts only that a Forward Delivery Event will
occur on each Valuation Date until the Maturity Date.
3. Payments on Early Termination:      Second Method and Loss
4. Calculation Agent:                  BofA
5. Account Details:
         Account for payments to Counterparty:
                  United States Trust Company of New York
                  ABA#  ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇
                  In favor of: Welsh, Carson, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ VIII
                  A/C # 69-86862
                  Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
         Account for payments to BofA:
                  Bank of America, NA
                  San Francisco, CA
                  SWIFT:   ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
                  Bank Routing:  ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇
                  Account Name:  Bank of America
                  Account Number:  12333-34172
                  Account for delivery of Shares to BofA:  Will advise.
6.     Offices and Notice Information:
       (a)    The Office of BofA for the Transaction is: Charlotte
               Address for Notices:
               Bank of America, N.A.
               c/o Banc of America Securities LLC
               Equity Financial Products
               ▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
               ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
               Telephone: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
               Facsimile: 212-230-8610
       (b)    The Office of the Counterparty for the Transaction is:
              Inapplicable. Counterparty is not a Multibranch Party.
               Address for Notices:
               Welsh, Carson, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ VIII, L.P.
               ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
               ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
               Telephone: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
               Facsimile: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
7.       Other Provisions:
         (a)  Counterparty Representations.  Counterparty represents and
              warrants to and for the benefit of BofA, as of the date hereof,
              and continuously until termination of this Agreement, as follows:
              (i) Non-affiliated representation. Counterparty represents and
              warrants to BofA, that it is not, and during the term of this
              Transaction, will not become an affiliate, within the meaning of
              Rule 144(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
              "Securities Act"), of the Issuer.
              (ii) The Counterparty represents and warrants to BofA that it (i)
              is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1),
              (2), (3), (7) or (8) under the Securities Act, (ii) is acquiring
              the instruments described in the Transaction for its own account,
              and not with a view to distribution and (iii) understands and
              acknowledges that the Transaction has not and will not be
              registered under the Securities Act.
              (iii) No Information. The Counterparty represents and warrants to
              BofA that it is not entering into this Transaction while in
              possession of material, non-public information concerning the
              business, operations or prospects of the Issuer. "Material"
              information for these purposes is any information to which an
              investor would reasonably attach importance in reaching a decision
              to buy, sell, or hold securities of the Issuer.
              (iv) Counterparty has the legal capacity, power and right to
              execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under, and in
              accordance with the Agreement, any Credit Support Document to
              which Counterparty is a party, and this Transaction.
         (b)  This confirmation shall be governed by the law of the State of New
              York without reference to the choice of law rules thereof. The
              parties hereto irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
              the courts of the State of New York and the United States Court
              for the Southern District of New York in connection with all
              matters relating hereto and waive any objection to the laying of
              venue in, and any claim of inconvenient forum with respect to,
              these courts.
         (c)  WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
              WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY
              LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
              ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
         (d)  Counterparty and BofA hereby acknowledge and agree that BofA has
              authorized Counterparty to disclose this Transaction to any and
              all persons, and there are no express or implied agreements,
              arrangements or understandings to the contrary, and BofA hereby
              waives any and all claims to any proprietary rights with respect
              to this Transaction, and authorizes Counterparty to use any
              information which Counterparty receives or has received with
              respect to this Transaction in any manner.
         (e)  Relationship Between Parties:
         Counterparty represents that:
              (i) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has
              made its own independent decision to enter into this Transaction
              and as to whether this Transaction is appropriate or proper for it
              based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisors as
              it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication
              (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a
              recommendation to enter into this Transaction; it being understood
              that information and explanations related to the terms and
              conditions of this Transaction shall not be considered investment
              advice or a recommendation to enter into this Transaction. It has
              not received from the other party any assurance or guarantee as to
              the expected results of this Transaction.
              (ii) Evaluation and Understanding. It is capable of evaluating and
              understanding (on its own behalf or through independent
              professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms,
              conditions and risks of this Transaction. It is also capable of
              assuming, and assumes, the financial and other risks of this
              Transaction.
              (iii) Status of Parties.  The other party is not acting as a
              fiduciary or an advisor for it in respect of this Transaction.
          (f) Additional Covenants of Counterparty.  Counterparty covenants and
              agrees with BofA that:
              (i) if the Transaction relates to a position in restricted or
              control securities within the meaning and scope of Rule 144,
              promulgated under the Securities Act, Counterparty shall: (A)
              provide accurate and complete information upon request of BofA
              concerning the manner of acquisition, duration of holding period,
              or the size of such securities position, any affiliation with the
              Issuer, and prior or anticipated sales, agreements, rights,
              options, sales, lock-up arrangements, aggregation requirements,
              and/or any other information relating to such securities; (B) file
              or cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
              or any other governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory
              authority, any and all disclosure documents which may be required
              or appropriate, including, but not limited to, the disclosure
              documents required by Rule 144 and/or Sections 13 or 16 of the
              Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (C) promptly
              advise BofA prior to making any sales of, or executing any other
              transaction or agreement involving, such securities which are the
              subject of this Transaction; and
              (ii) if the Transaction may involve, require or result in the
              delivery of securities or other financial assets, Counterparty is
              the legal and sole beneficial owner of the pledged Shares, and the
              same are free and clear of any all liens, charges, equities of
              redemption, rights of pre-emption, and any other security
              interests or encumbrances whatsoever other than Rule 145
              restrictions; provided however, that if the pledged Shares are
              held through a Clearance System, (a) recordation of legal
              title in the name of such Clearance System or its nominee, and
              (b) liens on the pledged Shares of the type that are routinely
              imposed on all securities in such Clearance System, shall be
              permitted.
         (g)  Each party represents that it is an "eligible contract
              participant" (as such term is defined in Section 1(a)(12) of the
              Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the "CEA")) because one or
              more of the following under (x) or (y) is true:
                  (x)      such party is an individual who:
                  (A)      has total assets in excess of U.S. $10,000,000; or
                  (B)      has total assets in excess of U.S. $5,000,000 and has
                           entered into this Transaction in order to manage the
                           risk associated with an asset owned or liability
                           incurred, or reasonably likely to be owned or
                           incurred, by such party;
                  or,
                  (y)      It is a corporation, partnership, proprietorship,
                           organization, trust or other entity and:
                  (A)      It has total assets in excess of U.S. $10,000,000; or
                  (B)      The obligations of it hereunder are guaranteed, or
                           otherwise supported by a letter of credit or
                           keepwell, support or other agreement, by an entity of
                           the type described in Section 1a(12)(A)(i) through
                           (iv), 1a(12)(A)(v)(I), 1a(12)(A)(vii) or 1a(12)(C) of
                           the CEA; or
                  (C)      it has a net worth in excess of U.S. $1,000,000 and
                           has entered into this Transaction in connection with
                           the conduct of its business or to manage the risk
                           associated with an asset or liability owned or
                           incurred or reasonably likely to be owned or incurred
                           by it in the conduct of its business.
         (h) Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that it is not relying, and
             has not relied, upon BofA or any affiliate of BofA, with respect to
             the legal, accounting, tax or other implications of this
             Transaction and that it has conducted its own analyses of the
             legal, accounting, tax and other implications hereof. The
             Counterparty further acknowledges and agrees that neither BofA nor
             any affiliate of BofA has acted as advisor in any capacity in
             connection with this Transaction. The Counterparty is entering into
             this Transaction with a full understanding of all the terms and
             risks hereof (economic and otherwise), has adequate expertise in
             financial matters to evaluate those terms and risks and is capable
             of assuming (financially and otherwise) those risks.
         (i) Collateral Provisions. As collateral security for any amounts due
             to BofA with respect to this Transaction or pursuant to any
             document executed in connection therewith, the Counterparty granted
             to BofA a security interest in 1,000,000 Shares (such number of
             Shares, the "Collateral') pursuant to the Pledge Agreement dated
             March 15, 2002 by and between the Counterparty and BofA (the
             "Pledge Agreement"). The Pledge Agreement, any other pledge or
             security agreement executed by Counterparty in replacement or
             substitution of the Pledge Agreement, whether or not expressly
             referencing the Transaction, and any amendment, modification or
             replacement of or substitution therefor, shall constitute a Credit
             Support Document under the Agreement.
         (j) Certain  Authorized  Transfers.  BofA may transfer or assign its
             rights and  obligations in whole or in part to (i) any of its
             or (ii) any entities sponsored or organized by, or on behalf of or
             for the benefit of, BofA.
         (k) Additional Termination Events
             It shall be an Additional Termination Event with respect to
             Counterparty only and, with respect to such Additional Termination
             Event, Counterparty shall be the Affected Party and all
             Transactions shall be Affected Transactions:
             (i) Breach of Agreement, Dissolution of Partnership.
                (A)  the General Partner materially breaches any provision of
                     the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
                     of Welsh, Carson, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ VIII, L.P. (the
                     "Partnership Agreement");
                (B)  any event shall occur pursuant to Section 7.01 or Section
                     7.02 of the Partnership Agreement; or
                (C)  any occurrence or circumstance which in the reasonable
                     opinion of BofA would prevent the Counterparty from
                     performing any of its obligations under this Transaction.
             (ii) Any "Hedging Disruption Event", which term shall mean with
             respect to BofA any inability (which shall include an increase in
             costs) due to market illiquidity, illegality (as defined in the
             Agreement, but with respect to the Transaction hedge), or lack of
             availability of hedging transaction market participants or
             otherwise, to establish, re-establish or maintain any hedging
             transaction(s) necessary in the normal course of BofA's business
             of hedging the price and market risk of entering into and
             performing under the Transaction; provided, however, that, solely
             with respect to any such increase in costs, no Hedging Disruption
             Event shall be deemed to have occurred if Counterparty agrees to
             such adjustments to the terms of the Transaction as the
             Calculation Agent, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to
             compensate BofA for such increase in costs.
         (l) The "Cross Default" provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the
             Agreement will apply to the Counterparty and, and for such purpose
             "Specified Indebtedness" will have the meaning specified in
             Section 14, and the "Threshold Amount" in relation to the
             Counterparty shall be zero.
         (m) For purposes of the Agreement, "Specified Transaction" shall also
             include any transaction with respect to the forward sale or
             delivery of any security.
         (n) Designation by BofA. Notwithstanding any other provision in this
             Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing BofA to
             purchase, sell, receive or deliver any shares or other securities
             to or from the Counterparty, BofA may designate any of its
             affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such shares or
             other securities and otherwise to perform BofA obligations in
             respect of this Transaction and any such designee may assume such
             obligations. BofA shall be discharged of its obligations to the
             Counterparty to the extent of any such performance.
         (o) Set-off. In addition to any rights of set-off as specified in any
             Schedule to the Agreement now or hereafter executed between the
             parties, BofA shall have rights of set-off as specified in the
             applicable Pledge Agreement, any other Credit Support Document, or
             as otherwise provided by contract or law.
         (p) Additional Provisions.
             (i)Section 9.1(e) of the Equity Definitions shall be amended to
             add the new following subsection (vii) "(vii) any tender offer
             with respect to the Shares which is not a Merger Event as defined
             in Section 9.2 of the Equity Definitions and is deemed to be
             material in the determination of the Calculation Agent".
             (ii) Section 9.1(e)(vi) of the Equity Definitions is hereby
             amended by deleting the words "other similar" between "any" and
             "event"; deleting the words "diluting or concentrative" and
             replacing them with "material"; and adding the following words at
             the end of the sentence "or the Transaction".
             (iii) For purposes of Section 9.1(e)(iii) of the Equity
             Definitions, any dividend on the Shares for which the ex-dividend
             date occurs during the period from and excluding the Trade Date,
             to and including the Maturity Date, shall be deemed to be an
             extraordinary dividend.
         (q) Indemnity. In the event that BofA or any of its affiliates
             becomes involved in any capacity in any action, proceeding or
             investigation brought by or against any person in connection with
             any tax, regulatory or accounting position taken by Counterparty
             in connection with this Agreement, or the Pledge Agreement, the
             Counterparty shall reimburse BofA or such affiliate for its
             reasonable legal and other out-of-pocket expenses (including the
             cost of any investigation and preparation) incurred in connection
             therewith within 30 days of receipt of notice of such expenses,
             and shall indemnify and hold BofA or such affiliate harmless on an
             after-tax basis against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities
             to which BofA or such affiliate may become subject in connection
             with any such action, proceeding or investigation; provided,
             however, that notwithstanding anything in this sentence to the
             contrary, Counterparty shall have no liability under this
             paragraph (q) with respect to any regulatory violation of the
             Securities Act in connection with BofA's purchase of the Shares
             from Counterparty as a private placement not registered under the
             Securities Act. The reimbursement and indemnity obligations of the
             Counterparty under this paragraph shall be in addition to any
             liability that the Counterparty may otherwise have, shall extend
             upon the same terms and conditions to the partners, directors,
             officers, agents, employees and controlling persons (if any), as
             the case may be, of BofA and its affiliates and shall be binding
             upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs
             and personal representatives of the Counterparty, BofA, any such
             affiliate and any such person. The Counterparty also agrees that
             neither BofA nor any of such affiliates, partners, directors,
             officers, agents, employees or controlling persons shall have any
             liability to the Counterparty for or in connection with any matter
             referred to in this Agreement or the Pledge Agreement except to
             the extent that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
             expenses incurred by the Counterparty result from the gross
             negligence or bad faith of BofA or a breach by BofA of any of its
             covenants or obligations hereunder. The foregoing provisions shall
             survive any termination or completion of this Agreement.
         (r) Counterparty consents to BofA or any of its affiliates or agents
             communicating and conferring with the Issuer, its attorneys, and
             its transfer agent in connection with the transfer of the Shares
             to BofA pursuant to the terms of this Transaction.
         (s) If, at any time after the Settlement Date, BofA shall consider or
             be advised that any assignments, assurances or any other similar
             actions or things are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or
             confirm of record or otherwise in BofA its rights, title or
             interest in, to or under any of the Shares, Counterparty agrees to
             take such actions as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to
             vest in BofA and to perfect or confirm in respect of BofA any and
             all right, title and interest, in, to and under such Shares. The
             representations and warranties of the parties hereunder and the
             obligations of the parties to this Agreement under this Section
             7(s) hereof shall survive termination of this Agreement and shall
             survive the Settlement Date.
         (t) BofA represents and warrants to and for the benefit of Counterparty
             that it is purchasing the Shares for its own account, not with a
             view towards resale or distribution in violation of the Securities
             Act.
             Please confirm your  acceptance and agreement with the foregoing
             by immediately  executing the copy of this Confirmation
             enclosed for that purpose and returning it to Bank of America, N.A.
             by facsimile at (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇).
                                              Very truly yours,
                                              Bank of America, N.A.
                                              By: ____________________
                                              Authorized Signatory
                                              Name:
         Accepted and confirmed
         as of the Trade Date:
         Welsh, Carson, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ VIII, L.P.
         By WCAS VIII Associates LLC, General Partner
         By: _____________________
         Managing Member
         Name: