National HealthCare (NHC) S-4 Registration of securities issued in business combination transactions

Exhibit 12.1

National Healthcare Corporation
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
(dollars in thousands)

							Year Ended December 31
	2006			2005				2004			2003			2002
Earnings:
Pretax income	$	54,279		$	46,690			$	40,055		$	33,287		$	27,446
Minority interest adjustment		(19	)		56				39			62			21
Equity earnings adjustment		(4,300	)		(225	)			(344	)		(330	)		(297	)
Add fixed charges		16,466			17,330				16,927			17,818			19,018
Add amortization of capitalized interest		71			71				61			55			51
Add distributed income of equity investees		250			155				453			463			304
Deduct interest capitalized		(370	)		(31	)			(240	)		(162	)		(40	)
Total Earnings Available for Fixed Charges	$	66,377		$	64,046			$	56,951		$	51,193		$	46,503
Fixed charges:
Interest expensed	$	980		$	1,531			$	1,299		$	2,080		$	3,482
Interest capitalized		370			31				240			162			40
Estimated interest within rental expense		15,116			15,768				15,388			15,576			15,496
Total fixed charges	$	16,466		$	17,330			$	16,927		$	17,818		$	19,018
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends		4.0×			3.7×				3.4×			2.9×			2.4×