Gentiva Health Services announced the closing of its acquisition of Harden Healthcare Holdings, Inc. ("Harden"). Under the terms of the merger agreement, Gentiva acquired Harden's home health, hospice and community care businesses. Harden's existing shareholders retained the company's long-term care business.

The purchase price paid by Gentiva was $408.8 million, consisting of $355 million in cash and $53.8 million in Gentiva common stock. Gentiva funded the cash portion of the purchase price through available cash and a new credit facility. As part of the new credit facility, the Company entered into a new $825 million term loan facility which was used to fund the transaction and refinance its existing term loans.

Gentiva Health Services, Inc. is the nation's largest provider of home health and hospice services based on revenue, delivering innovative, high quality care to patients across the United States. Gentiva is a single source for skilled nursing; physical, occupational, speech and neurorehabilitation services; hospice services; social work; nutrition; disease management education; help with daily living activities; and other therapies and services.