For release

For release: May 3, 2012

Contact: Gerald Coggin, Sr. VP of Corporate Relations

Phone: (615) 890-2020

NHC Reports First Quarter Earnings

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE Amex: NHC, NHC.PRA), a publicly traded long-term health care company, today announced net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 of $10,508,000 compared to $16,556,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, a decrease of 36.5%. Net income was $0.76 per common share basic for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 compared to $1.21 per common share basic for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. For comparative purposes, operating expenses for the 2011 three-month period included favorable results within our accrued risk reserves of $10,500,000 (approximately $6,825,000 after income taxes or $0.50 per common share basic). Excluding this adjustment, the quarter ended March 31, 2012 would have reflected an increase of 8.0% in net income available to common shareholders compared to the same period in 2011.

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 totaled $190,086,000 compared to $192,948,000 for the same three months of 2011, a decrease of 1.5%. Operating results for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the quarter last year were negatively affected by decreases in Medicare and Medicaid per diem rates and benefitted from an improved patient mix and cost saving measures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. NHC cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. The risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by NHC with the S.E.C., including Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K, and include, among others, the following: liabilities and other claims asserted against us and patient care liabilities, as well as the resolution of current litigation; availability of insurance and assets for indemnification; national and local economic conditions; including their effect on the availability and cost of labor, utilities and materials; the effect of government regulations and changes in regulations governing the healthcare industry, including our compliance with such regulations; changes in Medicare and Medicaid payment levels and methodologies and the application of such methodologies by the government and its fiscal intermediaries, the ability of third parties for whom we have guaranteed debt to refinance certain short term debt obligations; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in the S.E.C. filings. The risks included here are not exhaustive. All forward-looking statements represent NHC's best judgment as of the date of this release.

NHC affiliates operate for themselves and third parties 75 long-term health care centers with 9,450 beds. NHC affiliates also operate 37 homecare programs, six independent living centers and 17 assisted living communities. NHC's other services include Alzheimer's units, long-term care pharmacies, hospice, a rehabilitation services company, and providing management and accounting services to third parties. Other information about the company can be found on our web site at www.nhccare.com.