8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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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 13, 2008 (August 11, 2008)

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NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware	001-13489	52-2057472
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

100 Vine Street
Murfreesboro, Tennessee	37130
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (615) 890-2020

Not Applicable

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

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01.

Other Events.

National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”) issued a press release on August 11, 2008 announcing the August 1, 2008 acquisition of Trinity Mission Health and Rehabilitation of Charleston, a 132-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility and Trinity Mission Assisted Living of Charleston, a 60-bed assisted living facility for $13.25 million.  Both facilities, now renamed NHC HealthCare-Charleston and NHC Place-Charleston, are located in Charleston, South Carolina.  The entire press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Copy of press release issued on August 11, 2008 by National HealthCare Corporation

SIGNATURES

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

Date:

August 13, 2008

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

By:  /s/ Robert G. Adams

Name: Robert G. Adams

Title:   President

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Copy of press release issued on August 11, 2008 by National HealthCare Corporation

EX-99

Exhibit 99.1

For release:  August 11, 2008

Contact:  Gerald Coggin, Sr. V.P. Investor Relations

Phone:  (615) 890-2020

NHC ACQUIRES CHARLESTON, SC FACILITIES

Murfreesboro, Tenn. – National HealthCare Corporation (AMEX:  NHC; NHC.PR.A), one of the nation’s leading operators of senior care services, announced today that it has added Trinity Mission Health and Rehabilitation of Charleston and Trinity Mission Assisted Living of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina as affiliates effective August 1.  NHC purchased the 132-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility and the 60-bed assisted living facility for $13.25 million.

This acquisition increases NHC’s operations that are owned and managed in the South Carolina region to over 2,000 beds in 13 locations.  The administrator for the new facilities, now renamed NHC HealthCare-Charleston and NHC Place-Charleston, is Angela Atkinson.  Ms. Atkinson, previously with Trinity Mission of Charleston, joins NHC with 15 years of experience in healthcare administration, including licensure as both an assisted living and nursing home administrator.

“The superior quality of NHC’s services to the senior care community in the state of South Carolina is well known”, Steve Flatt NHC’s Senior Vice President of Development said. “While we have been a strong provider in the Upstate and Midland region for over 30 years, this additional location allows us to better serve the Low Country area as well. We are grateful for the help and cooperation of the staff of the center in making this a smooth transition.”

NHC has plans for more growth in the Low Country of South Carolina as construction is expected to start next month on a 120-bed skilled healthcare and rehabilitation center in Bluffton near Hilton Head Island.

NHC operates for itself and third parties 76 long-term health care centers with 9,772 beds.  NHC also operates 32 homecare programs, seven independent living centers and 23 assisted living communities.  NHC’s other services include managed care specialty medical units, Alzheimer’s units, hospice and a rehabilitation services company.  Additional information about NHC, including the company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, annual report and press releases, is available on our website 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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