SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 10, 2004 (August 9, 2004)

National HealthCare Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

333-37185

52-2057472

(State of Incorporation)

(Commission File No.)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

100 Vine Street

Murfreesboro, TN 37130

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(615) 890-2020

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.



On August 9, 2004, National HealthCare Corporation announced it would pay a 12.5 cent dividend on December 1, 2004 to shareholders of record on September 30. A copy of the press release is furnished as an exhibit to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.





SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



National HealthCare Corporation
By: /s/ W. Andrew Adams
Name: W. Andrew Adams
Title: Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Donald K. Daniel
Name: Donald K. Daniel
Title: Principal Accounting Officer
Date: August 10, 2004




Exhibit Index



Number Exhibit
99 Press release, dated August 9, 2004


EXHIBIT 99



For release: August 9, 2004

Contact: Gerald Coggin, Senior VP of Corporate Relations

Phone: (615) 890-2020







NHC to pay 12.5 cent dividend

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National HealthCare Corporation (AMEX: NHC), one of the nation's oldest long-term health care companies, announced today that it will pay a third quarter dividend of 12.5 cents per common share to shareholders of record on Sept. 30 and payable on Dec. 1.

"We anticipate the continuation of a dividend payment, as approved quarterly by the Board of Directors," NHC Chairman Andy Adams said.

NHC operates for itself and third parties 74 long-term health care centers with 9,208 beds. NHC also operates 32 homecare programs, six independent living centers and assisted living centers at 20 locations. NHC's other services include managed care specialty medical units, Alzheimer's units and a rehabilitation services company. Other information about the company can be found on our web site at www.NHCcare.com.

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. All forward-looking statements represent NHC's best judgment as of the date of this release.

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