Amedisys hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely a surety, to the Company and the Equityholders (i) the performance of all obligations of Parent under this Agreement to the extent such obligations are to be performed prior to or at the Closing and (ii) the due and punctual payment by Parent of all payments of Merger Consideration owing by Parent pursuant to Sections 2.4 and 2.7 of the Agreement (clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). The guarantee by Amedisys set forth in clause (i) above shall terminate following consummation of the Closing. The guarantee by Amedisys set forth in this Section 4.16 shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Equityholders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of Amedisys or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. This is a guarantee of payment and performance, as applicable, and not of collection only. The Agent and the Equityholders shall not be required to make any demand upon, or to pursue or exhaust any right or remedy against, the Parent prior to exercising their rights under this Section 4.16, and no delay or omission on the part of the Agent or the Equityholders in exercising rights hereunder shall operate as a waiver or relinquishment of such rights or remedies.