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): December 27, 2005 (December 27, 2005)
National HealthCare Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware	001-13489	52-2057472
(State of Incorporation)	(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer
		Identification Number)
	100 Vine Street
	Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
	(615) 890-2020
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
	Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On December 27, 2005, National HealthCare Corporation reported that it reached an agreement with National Health Investors, Inc. ("NHI") to extend its lease on 41 properties through December 31, 2021.

The 15-year lease extension begins January 1, 2007, and includes three additional five-year renewal options, each at fair market value. Under the terms of the extended lease, base rent paid to NHI for 2007 will total $33,700,000 with rent thereafter escalating by 4% of the increase in facility revenue over a 2007 base year.

A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	National HealthCare Corporation
	By: /s/ Robert G. Adams
	Name: Robert G. Adams
	Title: President
Date: December 27, 2005

Exhibit Index

Number	Exhibit
99	Press release, dated December 27, 2005