8-K

UNITED STATES

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): February 15, 2019 (February 15, 2019)

____________________________

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

____________________________

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	001-13489 (Commission File Number)	52-2057472 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 Vine Street Murfreesboro, Tennessee (Address of Principal Executive Offices)		37130 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (615) 890-2020

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

__________________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2 (b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1988 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Emerging growth company [ ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

ITEM 8.01.     OTHER EVENTS.

NHC issued a press release on February 15, 2019 announcing its quarterly common dividend. The entire press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 9.01.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d)     Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Copy of press release issued on February 15, 2019 by National HealthCare Corporation announcing common dividend

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.

Date:     February 15, 2019

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

By: /s/ Brian F. Kidd

Name: Brian F. Kidd

Title:   Senior VP/Controller

            Principal Accounting Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

For release: February 15, 2019

Contact: Brian F. Kidd, SVP and Controller          

Phone: (615) 890-2020                              

NHC Announces Common Dividend

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC), the nation’s oldest publicly traded long-term health care company, announced today that it will pay a quarterly dividend of 50 cents per common share to shareholders of record on March 29, 2019 and payable on June 3, 2019.

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 skilled nursing centers with 9,510 beds. NHC affiliates also operate 35 homecare programs, five independent living centers, 24 assisted living communities, and one behavioral health hospital. 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.