Exhibit 99.1

For release: May 5, 2009

Contact: Gerald Coggin, Sr. VP of Corporate Relations

Phone: (615) 890-2020

NHC Reports a 16.9% Increase in Net Income Available to Common Shareholders

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE Amex: NHC;  NYSE Amex: NHC.PR.A), a publicly traded long-term health care company, today announced net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 of $7,016,000 compared to $6,004,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, an increase of 16.9%.

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009 totaled $168,669,000 compared to $160,141,000 for the same three months of 2008.  Net income was $.53 per common share basic for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to $.47 per common share basic for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Highlights of the quarter include the addition of five hospice locations in South Carolina.

NHC operates, through various subsidiaries, for itself and third parties, 76 long-term health care centers with 9,772 beds. NHC also operates, through subsidiaries, 32 homecare programs, seven independent living centers and 23 assisted living centers. 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.

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.

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NHC Reports a 16.9% Increase in Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
Condensed Statements of Income
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
				Three Months Ended
				March 31
Revenues:				2009	2008
	Net patient revenues			$   153,067	$   143,965
	Other revenues			15,602	16,176
		Net revenues		168,669	160,141
Costs and Expenses:
	Salaries, wages and benefits			90,726	87,541
	Other operating			47,968	45,314
	Rent			7,968	7,918
	Depreciation and amortization			6,243	5,997
	Interest			207	219
		Total costs and expenses		153,112	146,989
Income Before Income Taxes				15,557	13,152
	Income Tax Provision			(6,373)	(4,980)
Net Income				9,184	8,172
Dividends to Preferred Shareholders				(2,168)	(2,168)
Net income available to common shareholders				$      7,016	$      6,004
Earnings Per Common Share:
	Basic			$        0.53	$        0.47
	Diluted			$        0.53	$        0.46
Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic			13,228,845	12,767,696
	Diluted			13,254,437	13,118,218
			Balance Sheet Data
			(in thousands)	March 31	Dec. 31
				2009	2008
			Cash and marketable securities	$   238,984	$   232,463
			Current assets	318,893	312,752
			Total assets	783,768	777,296
			Current liabilities	238,749	251,919
			Long-term obligations	25,900	25,807
			Deferred lease credit	3,332	3,635
			Deferred revenue	18,281	15,118
			Stockholders' equity	497,506	480,817

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NHC Reports a 16.9% Increase in Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
Selected Operating Statistics
	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2009	2008
Per Diems:
Medicare	$ 381.25	$ 363.44
Medicaid	150.12	146.54
Private Pay and Other	224.34	212.98
Patient Days:
Medicare	105,852	103,606
Medicaid	268,771	275,040
Private Pay and Other	167,935	164,321
	542,558	542,967
Average Per Diem	$ 218.19	$ 208.03