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): December 10, 2004 (December 10, 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 8.01. Other Events

On December 10, 2004, National HealthCare Corporation announced it would pay a fourth quarter dividend of 12.5 cents per common share to shareholders of record on December 31 and payable on March 1, 2005. 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/ Robert G. Adams
Name: Robert G. Adams
Title: President
By: /s/ Donald K. Daniel
Name: Donald K. Daniel
Title: Principal Accounting Officer
Date: December 10, 2004




Exhibit Index



Number Exhibit
99 Press release, dated December 10, 2004


EXHIBIT 99

For release: Dec. 10, 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 fourth quarter dividend of 12.5 cents per common share to shareholders of record on December 31 and payable on March 1, 2005.

NHC operates for itself and third parties 74 long-term health care centers with 9,214 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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