Exhibit 99.1

For release:  December 6, 2012

Contact: Gerald Coggin, Senior VP of Corporate Relations

Phone: (615) 890-2020

NHC Declares Special Cash Dividend of $1.00 Per Share

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE MKT:  NHC, NHC.PRA), one of the nation’s oldest long-term health care companies, announced today the Board of Directors has declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per common share to shareholders of record on December 17, 2012 and payable on December 21, 2012.

Forward-Looking Statements

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.

About NHC

NHC affiliates operate for themselves and third parties 75 long-term health care centers with 9,460 beds.  NHC affiliates also operate 37 homecare programs, six independent living centers and 17 assisted living communities.  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.