NAT'L HEALTHCARE <NHCI> TO SELL FIVE HOSPITALS National Heathcare Inc said it signed an agreement to sell five rural hospitals to a private corporation for about 18 mln dlrs, including the assumption of six mln dlrs of debt. The company said it plans to complete the sales, which are subject to various regulatory approvals, by the end of July. National Healthcare said it expects no material gain on loss on the sales and that substantially all proceeds will be used to reduce debt.