2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements: The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information, including rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

For information about significant accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2011. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were no material changes to these policies, except we began using direct finance lease ("DFL") accounting with the acquisition and lease of the real estate of Ernest Health, Inc. ("Ernest"). Under DFL accounting, future minimum lease payments are recorded as a receivable. Unearned income, which represents the net investment in the DFL less the sum of minimum lease payments receivable and the estimated residual values of the leased properties, is deferred and amortized to income over the lease term to provide a constant yield when collectability of the lease payments is reasonably assured. Investments in DFLs are presented net of unamortized and unearned income. DFLs are placed on non-accrual status when management determines that the collectability of contractual amounts is not reasonably assured. While on non-accrual status, DFLs are accounted for on a cash basis, in which income is recognized only upon receipt of cash.

For our equity interest in Ernest and related loans (as more fully described in Note 3), we have elected to account for these investments at fair value due to size of the investments and because we believe this method is more reflective of current values. We have not made a similar election for other equity interests or loans made prior to 2012

Variable Interest Entities

In regards to the Ernest Transaction, we have determined that Ernest is a variable interest entity ("VIE"); however, we are not the primary beneficiary as we lack the ability to direct the activities of Ernest that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. At March 31, 2012, we had loans and/or equity investments in several VIEs for which we are not the primary beneficiary. The carrying value and classification of the related assets and maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with these VIEs are presented below at March 31, 2012 (in thousands):


VIE Type	Maximum Loss Exposure(1)	Asset Type Classification	Carrying Amount(2)
Loans, net	$263,977	Mortgage and other loans	$231,568
Equity investments	$ 13,220	Other assets	$ 2,751

(1)

Our maximum loss exposure related to loans with VIEs represents our current aggregate gross carrying value of the loan plus accrued interest and any other related assets (such as rents receivable), less any liabilities. Our maximum loss exposure related to our equity investment in VIEs represent the current carrying values of such investment plus any other related assets (such as rent receivables) less any liabilities.

(2)	Carrying amount reflects the net book value of our loan or equity interest only in the VIE.

For the VIE types above, we do not consolidate the VIE because we do not have the ability to control the activities (such as the day-to-day healthcare operations of our borrower or investee) that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. As of March 31, 2012, we were not required to provide financial support through a liquidity arrangement or otherwise to our unconsolidated VIEs, including circumstances in which it could be exposed to further losses (e.g., cash short falls).

Typically, our loans are collateralized by assets of the borrower (some assets of which are on the premises of facilities owned by us) and further supported by limited guarantees made by certain principals of the borrower.

See Note 3 for additional description of the nature, purpose and activities of our more significant VIEs and interests therein.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement. In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2011-05"). The amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In the two-statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income and the total of comprehensive income. In December 2011, the FASB deferred portions of this update in its issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12 (see discussion below). The Company has elected the two-statement approach and the required financial statements are presented herein.