F O R   I M M E D I A T E    R E L E A S E



                                      April 15, 1996
                                      For more information contact:
                                      Erin Ibele - (419) 247-2800
                                      Ed Lange   - (419) 247-2800


         HEALTH CARE REIT, INC. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER
                NEW INVESTMENTS OF $62 MILLION


Toledo, Ohio, April 15, 1996....Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE/HCN)
announced today that during the first quarter of 1996, the Company
closed $62 million of new investments, of which $28.2 million has
been funded to date.

Permanent mortgage financing of $21.1 was provided for two nursing
home facilities located in Massachusetts.  Operating lease
financing of $7.2 million was provided for two assisted living
facilities located in Florida.  Also in the first quarter, Health
Care REIT provided $14.9 million of development/operating lease
financing for seven assisted living facilities to be constructed in
Oklahoma and Texas.  Development and permanent mortgage financing
of $19.8 million was provided for two assisted living facilities
located in Texas and Pennsylvania, and a nursing home facility
located in Arizona.

Health Care REIT, Inc., with headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, is a
real estate investment trust which invests in health care
facilities, primarily nursing homes, assisted living facilities and
retirement centers.  The Company also invests in specialty care
hospitals and primary care facilities.  The Company has investments
in 118 health care facilities in 28 states and has total assets of
approximately $390 million.