Note 5 - Non-Operating Income

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Other Nonoperating Income and Expense [Text Block]

Note 5 – Non-Operating Income

Non-operating income is outlined in the table below. Non-operating income includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments, dividends and other realized gains and losses on securities, interest income, and other miscellaneous non-operating income. Our most significant equity method investment is a 75.1% non-controlling ownership interest in Caris, a business that specializes in hospice care services. See Note 17 for additional disclosures regarding Caris. The gain on the recovery of notes receivable was due to the collection of certain notes receivable. NHC had previously written down these notes due to their deteriorated credit qualities.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
	(in thousands)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments	$	14,188	$	13,616	$	9,674
Dividends and net realized gains on sales of securities		5,216		7,006		5,875
Interest income		5,237		4,623		4,984
Gain on the recovery of notes receivable		5,454	–		–
	$	30,095	$	25,245	$	20,533