Exhibit 99.1

      MATRIA HEALTHCARE APPOINTS RICHARD M. HASSETT, M.D. AS PRESIDENT AND
                             CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

MARIETTA, Ga., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Matria Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq:
MATR) today announced the promotion of Dr. Richard M. Hassett to the position of
President and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Hassett, who joined Matria in
November 2004 in the capacity of Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic
Officer, had previously been responsible for broadening the Company's disease
management and related services offerings through new product development and
merger and acquisition initiatives. Previously, Dr. Hassett was an executive
with Accordant Health Services, one of the early entrants into the disease
management sector of healthcare. Immediately prior to joining Matria, he was the
President and CEO of two healthcare ventures.

Parker H. "Pete" Petit, Chairman and CEO, commented, "Rick Hassett has made
significant contributions in formulating our long-term strategies since his
arrival last year. Rick's previous operating experience and general management
expertise will be very helpful in continuing the advancement of our operational
capabilities. Our corporate and operating management teams are very strong, and
we anticipate an extremely quick transition. Rick is an experienced executive,
all of our corporate executives are intimately involved in our operations, and
our business unit executives are seasoned general managers with in-depth
knowledge of their respective markets. We are pleased that our prior succession
planning initiatives will provide the foundation for a smooth transition and the
uninterrupted growth of Matria."

In addition, Matria announced the recent appointment of Donald E. Fetterolf,
M.D., MBA, to the position of Corporate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.
Dr. Fetterolf spent the last twelve years with Highmark, Inc., a Blue Cross Blue
Shield affiliate in Pennsylvania, previously serving as Chief Medical Officer
and most recently focused on Highmark's Informatics initiatives. Dr. Fetterolf
is the Chairman of the Quality and Research Committee for the Disease Management
Association of America (DMAA) where he is also a member of the DMAA Board of
Directors and the DMAA Executive Committee. In his new position with Matria, Dr.
Fetterolf will report to Dr. Rick Hassett.

Matria also announced the recent appointment of Richard J. Hodach, M.D., MPH,
PhD, as Vice President and Medical Director of the Company's Health Enhancement
division. Prior to joining Matria, Dr. Hodach served for the last six years as
Vice President, Medical Affairs and Medical Director at Accordant Health
Services.

Petit further commented, "The additions of Dr. Fetterolf and Dr. Hodach increase
our capability to continue to provide innovative solutions in the rapidly
growing area of disease management and wellness. Dr. Marty Olson and Dr. Gary
Stanziano have been responsible for Matria's Health Enhancement and Women's and
Children's Health initiatives over the last decade. With the combination of Dr.
Fetterolf, Dr. Hodach, Dr. Olson and Dr. Stanziano, we have assembled an
outstanding group of medical experts. Their collaborative efforts should allow
Matria to continue to innovate and serve as a leader in our various sectors of
healthcare."



ABOUT MATRIA HEALTHCARE

Matria Healthcare is a leading provider of comprehensive health enhancement
programs to health plans and employers. Matria manages major chronic diseases
and episodic conditions including diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary
artery disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high-risk
obstetrics, cancer, chronic pain, depression, end-stage renal disease, and
obesity; delivers programs that address wellness, healthy living, productivity
improvement, and patient advocacy; and provides case management of acute and
catastrophic conditions. Headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, Matria has more
than 40 offices in the United States and internationally. More information about
Matria can be found on line at www.matria.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements include
but are not limited to the impact of the experience of the Company's executives
on the successful transition, continued provision of innovative disease
management and wellness solutions, and the continued growth of the Company.
These statements are based on current information and belief, and are not
guarantees of future performance. Among the important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements include failure of the executives to perform as expected, decreased
interest in or demand for the Company's disease management and wellness
programs, developments in the healthcare industry, third-party actions over
which Matria does not have control, regulatory requirements applicable to
Matria's business and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Matria's
periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including Matria's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004. By making these forward-looking statements, Matria does
not undertake to update them in any manner except as may be required by Matria's
disclosure obligations in filings it makes with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the federal securities laws.

     Contact:
     Stephen M. Mengert
     Chief Financial Officer
     770/767-4500

SOURCE  Matria Healthcare, Inc.
    -0-                             11/08/2005
    /CONTACT: Stephen M. Mengert, Chief Financial Officer, +1-770-767-4500/
    /Web site:  http://www.matria.com /
    (MATR)