Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lisa Salamon
         610-444-8433

        Genesis and Multicare Gain Court Approval for Reorganization Plan

KENNETT SQUARE, PA--(Sept. 12)--Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. and the Multicare
Companies, Inc. today announced that federal bankruptcy court overseeing the
companies' chapter 11 cases has issued an opinion approving their joint plan of
reorganization, subject to certain minor modifications. Genesis and Multicare
are in the process of submitting the joint plan, with the required
modifications, to the court for confirmation and anticipate that their joint
chapter 11 plan will become effective by the end of September.

The joint plan provides for the merger of Genesis and Multicare under the
Genesis banner. It also provides for the issuance of new notes, new convertible
preferred stock, new common stock and new warrants to the companies' creditors.
Under the plan, approximately 93% of the new common stock, $242.6 million in
senior notes and preferred stock with a liquidation preference of $42.6 million
will be issued to the Genesis and Multicare senior secured creditors. About 7%
of the new common stock will be issued to the Genesis and Multicare unsecured
creditors as well as warrants to purchase an additional 11% of the new common
stock.

Holders of Genesis and Multicare pre-chapter 11 preferred and common stock will
receive no distribution and those instruments will be canceled.

Genesis and Multicare voluntarily filed for chapter 11 protection on June 22,
2000 after drastic cuts in Medicare reimbursement and continued underpayment by
most State funded Medicaid systems resulted in inadequate earnings to continue
to meet debt obligations under the companies' current capital structures.

Genesis Health Ventures provides eldercare in the eastern US through a network
of Genesis ElderCare skilled nursing and assisted living facilities plus long
term care support services nationwide including pharmacy, medical equipment and
supplies, rehabilitation, group purchasing, consulting and facility management.
Multicare operates skilled nursing and assisted living centers in the eastern
US.

Statements made in this release, and in our other public filings and releases,
which are not historical facts contain "forward-looking" statements (as defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and
uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. These forward-looking
statements may include, but are not limited to statements containing words such
as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may" and
similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially include, but are not limited to, the following: our bankruptcy cases
and our ability to continue as a going concern; risks associated with operating
a business in Chapter 11; the delays or the inability to complete and/or
consummate our plan of reorganization; our ability to comply with the provisions
of our debtor-in-possession financing; our substantial indebtedness and
significant debt service obligations; our default under our senior credit
agreement and our senior subordinated and other notes; adverse actions which may
be taken by creditors; adverse developments with respect to our liquidity or
results of operations; the effect of planned dispositions of assets; our ability
to consummate or complete development projects or to profitably operate or


successfully integrate enterprises into our other operations; our ability or
inability to secure the capital and the related cost of the capital necessary to
fund future growth; our ability to attract customers given our current financial
position; our ability to attract and retain key executives and other personnel;
the impact of health care reform, including the Medicare Prospective Payment
System ("PPS"), the Balanced Budget Refinement Act ("BBRA") and the Benefit
Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 ("BIPA") and the adoption of cost
containment measures by the federal and state governments; the impact of
government regulation, including our ability to operate in a heavily regulated
environment and to satisfy regulatory authorities; the occurrence of changes in
the mix of payment sources utilized by customers to pay for services; the
adoption of cost containment measures by other third party payors; competition
in our industry; and changes in general economic conditions.

The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control. We caution
investors that any forward-looking statements made by us are not guarantees of
future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to
announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or developments.

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