Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Net patient revenues	$ 227,959,000	$ 218,106,000
Other revenues	11,284,000	11,482,000
Net operating revenues	239,243,000	229,588,000
Cost and Expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	138,055,000	130,020,000
Other operating	63,883,000	61,309,000
Facility rent	10,088,000	10,327,000
Depreciation and amortization	10,295,000	9,354,000
Interest	1,058,000	954,000
Total costs and expenses	223,379,000	211,964,000
Income Before Non–Operating Income	15,864,000	17,624,000
Non–Operating Income	4,768,000	4,773,000
Income Before Income Taxes	20,632,000	22,397,000
Income Tax Provision	(7,999,000)	(8,698,000)
Net Income	12,633,000	13,699,000
Add: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(95,000)
Net Income Attributable to National HealthCare Corporation	$ 12,728,000	$ 13,699,000
Earnings Per Share attributable to National HealthCare Corporation Stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.92
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.91
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	15,173,491	14,916,905
Diluted (in shares)	15,212,133	15,135,446
Dividends declared to common stockholders per (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.40