8-K

                       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): June 22, 2000


                          THE MULTICARE COMPANIES, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                                          34-22090
- -------------------------------                       -----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                       (Commission File Number)
         incorporation or
           organization)

                              101 East State Street
                       Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 610-444-6350


Item 3.  Bankruptcy or Receivership.

On June 22, 2000, The Multicare Companies, Inc. (the "Company") and certain
affiliates (collectively with the Company, the "Debtors") filed voluntary
petitions for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the
"Bankruptcy Code") with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of
Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The Debtors' chapter 11 cases have been
assigned to the Honorable Peter J. Walsh and are being jointly administered for
procedural purposes in the Bankruptcy Court under Case Nos. 00-2494 through
00-2690 (the "Chapter 11 Cases"). On the same date, Genesis Health Ventures,
Inc., ("GHV") 43.6% owner of Multicare, and certain of its direct and indirect
subsidiaries (the "GHV Debtors") also filed voluntary petitions for relief under
chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code with the Bankruptcy Court. The GHV Debtors'
chapter 11 cases have also been assigned to the Honorable Peter J. Walsh and are
being jointly administered for procedural purposes in the Bankruptcy Court under
Case Nos. 00-2691 through 00-2842.


On June 23, 2000 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the Debtors
to pay certain prepetition wages, salaries, benefits and other employee
obligations, as well as to continue in place the Debtors' various employee
compensation programs and procedures. On that date, the Bankruptcy Court also
authorized the Debtors to pay, among other claims, the prepetition claims of
certain critical vendors and patients. The Debtors intend to remain in
possession of the management and operation of their properties and businesses
and to pay the post petition claims of their various vendors and providers in
the ordinary course of business.

By orders dated June 23, 2000 and June 28, 2000 the Bankruptcy Court also
approved, on an interim basis, borrowings of up to $30 million in respect of the
Debtors' $50 million debtor in possession financing facility (the "DIP
Facility") with Mellon Bank, N.A. as Agent. By orders dated June 23, 2000 and
June 28, 2000, the Bankruptcy Court authorized, on an interim basis, the Debtors
to use the cash collateral of certain third party lenders. A hearing to consider
approval of the DIP Facility, and the use of cash collateral, on a final basis
has been scheduled to take place on July 18, 2000. The Debtors intend to utilize
the DIP Facility and existing cash flows to fund ongoing operations during the
Chapter 11 Cases. See press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.






Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)               Financial Statements

                  None.

(b)               Pro Forma Financial Information

                  None.

(c)               Exhibits

                  99.1    Press release dated June 22, 2000



Certain statements set forth above, including, but not limited to, statements
containing the words "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "intends", "will",
"may" and similar words constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are based on the Company's current expectations and include known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which the Company is
unable to predict or control, that may cause the Company's actual results or
performance to differ materially from any future results or performance
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements
involve risks, uncertainties and other factors detailed from time to time in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors may
include, without limitation, the delays or the inability to complete the
Company's plan of reorganization; the availability and terms of capital in light
of recent losses, cash flow shortfalls and the Company's chapter 11 bankruptcy
filing; adverse actions which may be taken by creditors and the outcome of
various bankruptcy proceedings; the Company's ability to attract patients given
its current financial position; and the effects of healthcare reform and
legislation on the Company's business strategy and operations. The Company
cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the Company are
not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to
update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to
any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events
or developments.









                                   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.

                                  THE MULTICARE COMPANIES, INC.

                                  By:   /s/ George V. Hager, Jr.
                                        --------------------------------
                                        George V. Hager, Jr.
                                        Executive Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer


Date:    July 7, 2000

EX-99

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1


Contact: Lisa Salamon, Media Relations
            (610) 444-8433
            Investor Relations
            (888) 295-8621


          MULTICARE FILES VOLUNTARY PETITION FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION

           Receives Commitment for up to $50 million in DIP Financing

 KENNETT SQUARE, PA--June 22, 2000--The Multicare Companies, Inc. and certain
affiliates today filed voluntary petitions with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in
Delaware to reorganize its capital structure under Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code. The company elected to seek court protection in order to
facilitate efforts to restructure capital obligations in the wake of drastic,
unanticipated cuts in Federal payment systems that reimburse the company for
skilled nursing care and ancillary services.

To ensure that the company has the short-term working capital necessary to
provide care and services to residing customers, Multicare obtained a commitment
for up to $50 million in debtor in possession ("DIP") financing with a lender
group led by Mellon Bank. The company has requested the Court's permission to
access the DIP financing to fund normal business operations and other cash needs
during the Chapter 11 case.

"Deep cuts in Medicare reimbursements, which far exceeded all government
forecasts coupled with chronic underfunding of Medicaid reimbursements, have
severely impacted Multicare's ability to service our current capital structure,"
said chairman and chief executive officer, Michael R. Walker. "Chapter 11
protection ensures that employees can focus their attention on serving our
customers while we restructure our long-term debt."

Due to debt repayment obligations, the company has been in negotiations with its
senior bank lenders and subordinated debt holders since March 21. The company
believes that Court protection afforded by Chapter 11 will enable it to develop
a plan of reorganization with the goal of emerging from the case in a healthier
financial position.

In a separate action, Genesis Health Ventures (NYSE:GHV), 43.6% owner of
Multicare, also filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware this morning.

The Multicare Companies, Inc.-a corporation principally owned by Genesis-owns
and manages skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in the eastern and
midwestern U.S. Multicare's 141 owned and managed facilities are operated by
Genesis ElderCare.






Certain statements set forth above, including, but not limited to, statements
containing the words "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "intends", "will",
"may" and similar words constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are based on the company's current expectations and include known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which the Company is
unable to predict or control, that may cause the Company's actual results or
performance to differ materially from any future results or performance
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements
involve risks, uncertainties and other factors detailed from time to time in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors may
include, without limitation, the delays or the inability to complete the
Company's plan of reorganization; the availability and terms of capital in light
of recent losses, cash flow shortfalls and the Company's chapter 11 bankruptcy
filing; adverse actions which may be taken by creditors and the outcome of
various bankruptcy proceedings; the Company's ability to attract patients given
its current financial position; and the effects of healthcare reform and
legislation on the Company's business strategy and operations. The Company
cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the Company are
not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to
update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to
any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events
or developments.