Exhibit 99.1

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

       Genesis and Multicare File Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization

KENNETT SQUARE, PA--(June 5, 2001)--Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. (GHVIQ.OB) and
the Multicare Companies, Inc. today filed a joint plan of reorganization in U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, calling for the merger of the two
companies under the Genesis banner.

The plan, which was endorsed by the steering committees of both firms' senior
bank lenders and the Genesis unsecured creditors, calls for Multicare to become
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Genesis. Genesis currently owns 43.6 % of Multicare
and manages its skilled nursing and assisted living facilities under the Genesis
Eldercare brand name.

The plan, as filed, provides for the issuance of new notes, new preferred stock
and 96% of the new common stock to the Genesis and Multicare senior secured
creditors and approximately 4% of the new common stock to the Genesis unsecured
creditors. Genesis unsecured creditors will also receive warrants to purchase
approximately 5.8% of the new common stock. Multicare vendors will also receive
a small percentage of common stock. Existing holders of Genesis preferred stock
and Genesis and Multicare common stock would receive no distribution under the
plan. Genesis plans to register the new common stock for trading on a public
exchange at a future date.

The plan is subject to approval by certain creditor classes. Disclosure
statements and voting instructions will be mailed following Court approval of
the disclosure materials.

"When we filed for Chapter 11 protection last June, our two primary goals were
to realign our capital structure with our current operating performance and to
ensure we continue to provide quality healthcare services to our nearly 700,000
individual and ancillary service customers," said Michael R. Walker, Genesis
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Company employees should be commended in
accomplishing both goals during this challenging process."

Genesis and Multicare voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection on June 22,
2000 citing drastic cuts in Medicare reimbursement--double what the Federal
government predicted--and continued underpayment by most State funded Medicaid
systems.

Copies of the filed plan, disclosure statement and a summary of those documents
will be posted in the restructuring section of Genesis web site at www.ghv.com.
The Genesis Answer Line at 888-295-8621 will also include brief audio overviews
of the plan for vendors, investors, employees, and customers.



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.

                                      # # #

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.