OHI 1st Qtr 07 10Q Filings
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
______________
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
X
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007
or
___
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from _______________ to
_______________
Commission
file number 1-11316
OMEGA
HEALTHCARE
INVESTORS,
INC.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland 38-3041398
(State
of Incorporation) (I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
9690
Deereco Road, Suite 100, Timonium, MD 21093
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(410)
427-1700
(Telephone
number, including area code)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days.
Yes
X
No
___
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and larger accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
one:)
Large
accelerated filer
X Accelerated
filer ___ Non-accelerated
filer___
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ___ No
X
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock
as April 30, 2007.
Common
Stock, $.10 par value 67,235,859
(Class) (Number
of shares)
OMEGA
HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
FORM
10-Q
March
31, 2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
Page
No.
|
PART
I
|
Financial
Information
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Financial
Statements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2007 (unaudited) and December 31, 2006
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2007 (unaudited)
|
5
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations |
14
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
PART
II
|
Other
Information
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
Item
1A.
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
Item
5.
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
Item
6.
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1 - Financial Statements
OMEGA
HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
(in
thousands)
|
|
March
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real
estate properties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
and buildings at cost
|
|
$
|
1,238,733
|
|
$
|
1,237,165
|
|
Less
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(196,957
|
)
|
|
(188,188
|
)
|
Real
estate properties - net
|
|
|
1,041,776
|
|
|
1,048,977
|
|
Mortgage
notes receivable - net
|
|
|
32,085
|
|
|
31,886
|
|
|
|
|
1,073,861
|
|
|
1,080,863
|
|
Other
investments - net
|
|
|
21,032
|
|
|
22,078
|
|
|
|
|
1,094,893
|
|
|
1,102,941
|
|
Assets
held for sale - net
|
|
|
773
|
|
|
3,568
|
|
Total
investments - net
|
|
|
1,095,666
|
|
|
1,106,509
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
|
2,655
|
|
|
729
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
4,016
|
|
|
4,117
|
|
Accounts
receivable - net
|
|
|
56,287
|
|
|
51,194
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
14,290
|
|
|
12,821
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
1,172,914
|
|
$
|
1,175,370
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolving
line of credit
|
|
$
|
147,000
|
|
$
|
150,000
|
|
Unsecured
borrowings - net
|
|
|
484,726
|
|
|
484,731
|
|
Other
long-term borrowings
|
|
|
41,410
|
|
|
41,410
|
|
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
26,771
|
|
|
28,037
|
|
Income
tax liabilities
|
|
|
5,646
|
|
|
5,646
|
|
Operating
liabilities for owned properties
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
92
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
705,645
|
|
|
709,916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock
|
|
|
118,488
|
|
|
118,488
|
|
Common
stock and additional paid-in-capital
|
|
|
699,439
|
|
|
700,177
|
|
Cumulative
net earnings
|
|
|
313,425
|
|
|
292,766
|
|
Cumulative
dividends paid
|
|
|
(621,016
|
)
|
|
(602,910
|
)
|
Cumulative
dividends - redemption
|
|
|
(43,067
|
)
|
|
(43,067
|
)
|
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
467,269
|
|
|
465,454
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
|
$
|
1,172,914
|
|
$
|
1,175,370
|
|
See
notes
to consolidated financial statements.
OMEGA
HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
Unaudited
(in
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March
31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rental
income
|
|
$
|
40,877
|
|
$
|
29,837
|
|
Mortgage
interest income
|
|
|
1,009
|
|
|
1,184
|
|
Other
investment income - net
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
937
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
109
|
|
Total
operating revenues
|
|
|
42,668
|
|
|
32,067
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
8,799
|
|
|
7,485
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
2,573
|
|
|
2,349
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
11,372
|
|
|
9,834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before other income and expense
|
|
|
31,296
|
|
|
22,233
|
|
Other
income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
and other investment income
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
113
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
(11,844
|
)
|
|
(9,609
|
)
|
Interest
- amortization of deferred financing costs
|
|
|
(459
|
)
|
|
(643
|
)
|
Interest
- refinancing costs
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3,485
|
)
|
Change
in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,434
|
|
Total
other expense
|
|
|
(12,263
|
)
|
|
(11,190
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
19,033
|
|
|
11,043
|
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(549
|
)
|
Income
from continuing operations
|
|
|
19,033
|
|
|
10,494
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
|
1,626
|
|
|
(319
|
)
|
Net
income
|
|
|
20,659
|
|
|
10,175
|
|
Preferred
stock dividends
|
|
|
(2,481
|
)
|
|
(2,481
|
)
|
Net
income available to common
|
|
$
|
18,178
|
|
$
|
7,694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.28
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.28
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
declared and paid per common share
|
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average
shares outstanding, basic
|
|
|
60,094
|
|
|
57,412
|
|
Weighted-average
shares outstanding, diluted
|
|
|
60,118
|
|
|
57,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Components
of other comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
20,659
|
|
$
|
10,175
|
|
Unrealized
gain on common stock investment
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
699
|
|
Unrealized
loss on preferred stock investment
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(304
|
)
|
Total
comprehensive income
|
|
$
|
20,659
|
|
$
|
10,570
|
|
See
notes
to consolidated financial statements.
OMEGA
HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
Unaudited
(in thousands)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
20,659
|
|
$
|
10,175
|
|
Adjustment
to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization (including amounts in discontinued
operations)
|
|
|
8,799
|
|
|
7,527
|
|
Provision
for impairment on real estate properties (including amounts in
discontinued operations)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
121
|
|
Provision
for impairment on equity securities
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,485
|
|
Amortization
of deferred financing costs
|
|
|
459
|
|
|
643
|
|
(Gains)
losses on assets sold and equity securities - net
|
|
|
(1,597
|
)
|
|
248
|
|
Restricted
stock amortization expense
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
293
|
|
Change
in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2,434
|
)
|
Income
from accretion of marketable securities to redemption value
|
|
|
(52
|
)
|
|
(412
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
Change
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
1,406
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
Straight-line
rent
|
|
|
(7,257
|
)
|
|
(1,504
|
)
|
Lease
inducement
|
|
|
758
|
|
|
—
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
(1,371
|
)
|
|
1,774
|
|
Tax
liabilities
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
549
|
|
Other
assets and liabilities
|
|
|
(502
|
)
|
|
3,377
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
21,256
|
|
|
23,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Placement
of mortgage loans
|
|
|
(345
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of real estate investments
|
|
|
3,683
|
|
|
—
|
|
Capital
improvements and funding of other investments
|
|
|
(1,568
|
)
|
|
(1,359
|
)
|
Proceeds
from other investments
|
|
|
1,132
|
|
|
6,801
|
|
Investments
in other investments
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(8,587
|
)
|
Collection
of mortgage principal - net
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
196
|
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
3,086
|
|
|
(2,949
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from credit facility borrowings
|
|
|
15,400
|
|
|
19,200
|
|
Payments
on credit facility borrowings
|
|
|
(18,400
|
)
|
|
(72,700
|
)
|
Receipts
from other long-term borrowings
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
39,000
|
|
Prepayment
of re-financing penalty
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(755
|
)
|
Receipts
from dividend reinvestment plan
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
7,588
|
|
Receipts/(payments)
from exercised options and taxes on restricted stock - net
|
|
|
(809
|
)
|
|
225
|
|
Dividends
paid
|
|
|
(18,106
|
)
|
|
(15,685
|
)
|
Payment
on common stock offering
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(154
|
)
|
Financing
costs paid
|
|
|
(591
|
)
|
|
(2,186
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
1,141
|
|
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(22,416
|
)
|
|
(24,326
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,926
|
|
|
(3,545
|
)
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
729
|
|
|
3,948
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$
|
2,655
|
|
$
|
403
|
|
Interest
paid during the period
|
|
$
|
8,609
|
|
$
|
1,684
|
|
See
notes
to consolidated financial statements.
OMEGA
HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
Unaudited
March
31, 2007
NOTE
1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
Business
Overview:
We
have
one reportable segment consisting of investments in real estate. Our business
is
to provide financing and capital to the long-term healthcare industry with
a
particular focus on skilled nursing facilities located in the United States.
Our
core portfolio consists of long-term lease and mortgage agreements. All of
our
leases are “triple-net” leases, which require the tenants to pay all
property-related expenses. Our mortgage revenue derives from fixed-rate mortgage
loans, which are secured by first mortgage liens on the underlying real estate
and personal property of the mortgagor. Substantially all depreciation expenses
reflected in the consolidated statements of operations relate to the ownership
of our investment in real estate.
Basis
of Presentation:
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Omega Healthcare
Investors, Inc. (“Omega” or the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding
interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article
10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in
the United States for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary
for a
fair presentation have been included. We suggest that these unaudited
consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and the footnotes thereto included in our latest Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Our
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Omega, all direct
and
indirect wholly owned subsidiaries and one variable interest entity (“VIE”) for
which we are the primary beneficiary. All inter-company accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation of the financial
statements.
Reclassifications:
Certain
amounts in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current
year
presentation and to reflect the results of discontinued operations. See Note
9 -
Discontinued Operations for a discussion of discontinued operations. Such
reclassifications have no effect on previously reported earnings or
equity.
Accounts
Receivables:
Accounts
receivable includes: contractual receivables, straight-line rent receivables,
lease inducements and estimated provision for losses related to uncollectible
and disputed accounts. Contractual receivables relate to the amounts currently
owed to us under the terms of the lease agreement. Straight-line receivables
relates to the difference between the rental revenue recognized on a
straight-line basis and the amounts due to us contractually. Lease inducements
result from value provided by us to the lessee at the inception of the lease
and
will be amortized as a reduction of rental revenue over the lease term. On
a
quarterly basis, we review the collection of our contractual payments and
determine the appropriateness of our allowance for uncollectible contractual
rents. In the case of a lease recognized on a straight-line basis, we generally
provide an allowance for straight-line accounts receivable when certain
conditions or indicators of adverse collectibility are present.
A
summary
of our net receivables by type is as follows:
|
|
March
31, 2007
|
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual
receivables
|
|
$
|
3,459
|
|
$
|
4,803
|
|
Straight-line
receivables
|
|
|
29,232
|
|
|
27,252
|
|
Lease
inducements
|
|
|
29,375
|
|
|
30,133
|
|
Allowance
|
|
|
(5,779
|
)
|
|
(10,994
|
)
|
Accounts
receivables, net
|
|
$
|
56,287
|
|
$
|
51,194
|
|
Implementation
of New Accounting Pronouncement:
FIN
48 Evaluation
In
July
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB
Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,”
an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting
for Income Taxes.”
FIN
48
clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an
enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, by
defining a criterion that an individual tax position must meet for any part
of
that position to be recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. The
interpretation requires a review of all tax positions accounted for in
accordance with FASB Statement No. 109 and applies a more-likely-than-not
recognition threshold. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not
recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest
amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized
upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority that has full knowledge
of
all relevant information. Subsequent recognition, derecognition, and measurement
is based on management’s judgment given the facts, circumstances and information
available at the reporting date. We are subject to the provisions of FIN 48
beginning January 1, 2007. We have evaluated FIN 48 and determined that FIN
48
has no impact to our financial statements.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncement:
FAS
157 Evaluation
In
September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair
Value Measurements” (“FAS
No.
157”). This standard defines fair value, establishes a methodology for measuring
fair value and expands the required disclosure for fair value measurements.
FAS
No. 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an
entity-specific measurement, and states that a fair value measurement should
be
determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability. This statement applies under other accounting
pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having
previously concluded in those pronouncements that fair value is the relevant
measurement attribute. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new
fair
value measurements. FAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and we intend to adopt the standard on January 1, 2008.
We
are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS No. 157 will have on
our
financial statements.
NOTE
2 -PROPERTIES
In
the
ordinary course of our business activities, we periodically evaluate investment
opportunities and extend credit to customers. We also regularly engage in lease
and loan extensions and modifications. Additionally, we actively monitor and
manage our investment portfolio with the objectives of improving credit quality
and increasing investment returns. In connection with portfolio management,
we
may engage in various collection and foreclosure activities.
If
we
acquire real estate pursuant to a foreclosure, lease termination or bankruptcy
proceeding and do not immediately re-lease or sell the properties to new
operators, the assets will be included on the balance sheet as “foreclosed real
estate properties,” and the value of such assets is reported at the lower of
cost or estimated fair value.
Leased
Property
Our
leased real estate properties, represented by 224 long-term care facilities
and
two rehabilitation hospitals at March 31, 2007, are leased under provisions
of
single leases and master leases with initial terms typically ranging from 5
to
15 years, plus renewal options. Substantially
all of our leases contain provisions for specified annual increases over the
rents of the prior year and are generally computed in one of three methods
depending on specific provisions of each lease as follows: (i) a specific annual
increase over the prior year’s rent, generally 2.5%; (ii) an increase based on
the change in pre-determined
formulas from year to year (i.e., such as increases in the Consumer Price Index
(“CPI”)); or (iii) specific dollar increases over prior years. Under the terms
of the leases, the lessee is responsible for all maintenance, repairs, taxes
and
insurance on the leased properties.
During
the first quarter of 2007, we consolidated and extended two master lease
agreements with one of our operators, increasing the lease terms by two and
four
years, respectively. No other significant activity occurred during the first
quarter.
We
continuously evaluate the payment history and financial strength of our
operators and have historically established allowance reserves for straight-line
rent adjustments for operators that do not meet our requirements. We consider
factors such as payment history, the operator’s financial condition as well as
current and future anticipated operating trends when evaluating whether to
establish allowance reserves.
During
the first quarter of 2007, we determined that we should reverse approximately
$5.0 million of allowance for straight-line rent previously established, as
a
result of the improvement in one of our operator’s financial condition. We
record allowances for straight-line rent receivables as an adjustment to
revenue. Accordingly, the reversal of this allowance increased revenue for
the
three months ended March 31, 2007. The change in estimate resulted in an
additional $0.08 per share of income from continuing operations and net income
for the quarter.
Acquisitions
We
have
made no acquisitions in 2007.
In
the
third quarter of 2006, we completed two transactions, the purchase of Litchfield
Investment Company, LLC and its affiliates (“Litchfield”), which included 30
skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) and one independent living center and an
additional facility located in Pennsylvania for a total investment of $178.9
million. We have substantially finalized the purchase price allocation of the
$178.9 million. The amount allocated to land and building and personal property
is $15.2 million and $162.1 million, respectively. We also allocated $1.6
million to below market lease.
Assets
Sold or Held for Sale
Assets
Sold
· |
On
January 31, 2007, we sold two assisted living facilities (“ALFs”) in
Indiana for approximately $3.6 million resulting in a gain of
approximately $1.7 million.
|
· |
On
February 1, 2007, we sold a closed SNF in Illinois for approximately
$0.1
million resulting in a loss of $35
thousand.
|
· |
On
March 30, 2007, we sold a SNF in Arkansas for approximately $0.7
million
resulting in a loss of $15
thousand.
|
Held
for Sale
· |
At
March 31, 2007, we had two assets held for sale with a net book value
of
approximately $0.8 million.
|
Mortgage
Notes Receivable
Mortgage
notes receivable relate to nine long-term care facilities. The mortgage notes
are secured by first mortgage liens on the borrowers' underlying real estate
and
personal property. The mortgage notes receivable relate to facilities located
in
four states, operated by five independent healthcare operating companies. We
monitor compliance with mortgages and when necessary have initiated collection,
foreclosure and other proceedings with respect to certain outstanding loans.
As
of March 31, 2007, we had no foreclosed property, and none of our mortgages
were
in foreclosure proceedings.
Mortgage
interest income is recognized as earned over the terms of the related mortgage
notes. Allowances are provided against earned revenues from mortgage interest
when collection of amounts due becomes questionable or when negotiations for
restructurings of troubled operators lead to lower expectations regarding
ultimate collection. When collection is uncertain, mortgage interest income
on
impaired mortgage loans is recognized as received after taking into account
application of security deposits.
NOTE
3 - CONCENTRATION OF RISK
As
of
March 31, 2007, our portfolio of investments consisted of 235 healthcare
facilities, located in 27 states and operated by 31 third-party operators.
Our
gross investment in these facilities, net of impairments and before reserve
for
uncollectible loans, totaled approximately $1.3 billion at March 31, 2007,
with
approximately 98% of our real estate investments related to long-term care
facilities. This portfolio is made up of 222 long-term healthcare facilities,
two rehabilitation hospitals owned and leased to third parties, fixed rate
mortgages on nine long-term healthcare facilities and two facilities held for
sale. At March 31, 2007, we also held miscellaneous investments of approximately
$21 million, consisting primarily of secured loans to third-party operators
of
our facilities.
At
March
31, 2007, approximately 25% of our real estate investments were operated by
two
public companies: Sun Healthcare Group (“Sun”) (17%) and Advocat Inc.
(“Advocat”) (8%). Our largest private company operators (by investment) were
CommuniCare Health Services, Inc. (“CommuniCare”) (15%), Haven Eldercare, LLC
(“Haven”) (9%), Home Quality Management, Inc. (“HQM”) (8%), Guardian LTC
Management, Inc. (“Guardian”) (7%), Nexion Health Inc. (“Nexion”) (6%) and Essex
Healthcare Corporation (6%). No other operator represents more than 4% of our
investments. The three states in which we had our highest concentration of
investments were Ohio (22%), Florida (14%) and Pennsylvania (9%) at March 31,
2007.
For
the
three-month period ended March 31, 2007, our revenues from operations totaled
$42.7 million, of which approximately $9.2 million were from Advocat (22%),
$6.9
million from Sun (16%) and $5.1 million from CommuniCare (12%). No other
operator generated more than 8% of our revenues from operations for the three
month period ended March 31, 2007.
Sun
and
Advocat
are subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC and are required to file
with the SEC annual reports containing audited financial information and
quarterly reports containing unaudited interim financial information. Sun and
Advocat’s filings with the SEC can be found at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
We are providing this data for information purposes only, and you are encouraged
to obtain Sun and Advocat’s publicly available filings from the
SEC.
NOTE
4 -DIVIDENDS
Common
Dividends
On
April
18, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend of $0.27
per
share, an increase of $0.01 per common share compared to the prior quarter,
to
be paid May 15, 2007 to common stockholders of record on April 30,
2007.
On
January 16, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend of
$0.26 per share, an increase of $0.01 per common share compared to the prior
quarter. The common dividend was paid February 15, 2007 to common stockholders
of record on January 31, 2007.
Series
D Preferred Dividends
On
April
18, 2007, the Board of Directors declared the regular quarterly dividends for
the 8.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred
Stock”) to stockholders of record on April 30, 2007. The stockholders of record
of the Series D Preferred Stock on April 30, 2007 will be paid dividends in
the
amount of $0.52344 per preferred share on May 15, 2007. The liquidation
preference for our Series D Preferred Stock is $25.00 per share. Regular
quarterly preferred dividends for the Series D Preferred Stock represent
dividends for the period February 1, 2007 through April 30, 2007.
On
January 16, 2007, the Board of Directors declared regular quarterly dividends
of
approximately $0.52344 per preferred share on the Series D preferred stock
that
were paid February 15, 2007 to preferred stockholders of record on January
31,
2007.
NOTE
5 - TAXES
So
long
as we qualify as a REIT and, among other things, we distribute 90% of our
taxable income, we will not be subject to Federal income taxes on our income,
except as described below. We are permitted to own up to 100% of a “taxable REIT
subsidiary” (“TRS”). Currently, we have two TRSs that are taxable as
corporations and that pay federal, state and local income tax on their net
income at the applicable corporate rates. These
TRSs had net operating loss carry-forwards as of March 31, 2007 of $12 million.
These loss carry-forwards were fully reserved with a valuation allowance due
to
uncertainties regarding realization.
During
the fourth quarter of 2006, we determined that certain terms of the Advocat
Series B non-voting, redeemable convertible preferred stock could be interpreted
as affecting our compliance with federal income tax rules applicable to REITs
regarding related party tenant income. As such, Advocat, one of our lessees,
may
be deemed to be a “related party tenant” under applicable federal income tax
rules. In
such
event, our rental income from Advocat would not be qualifying income under
the
gross income tests that are applicable to REITs. In order to maintain
qualification as a REIT, we annually must satisfy certain tests regarding the
source of our gross income, unless the “savings clause” (which finds that such
failure to satisfy the REIT gross income test is due to reasonable cause) that
is provided for REITs under federal income tax laws applies. A REIT that
qualifies for the savings clause will retain its REIT status but will pay a
tax
under section 857(b)(5), plus interest, even though the gross income test is
not
otherwise satisfied. While we believe there were valid arguments that Advocat
should not be deemed a “related party tenant,” the matter was not free from
doubt, and we believed it was in our best interest to request a closing
agreement from the IRS resolving any issues regarding whether the rents received
from Advocat were considered related party tenant income, which affected our
ability to satisfy the gross income test. Accordingly, on
December 15, 2006, we submitted a request for a closing agreement to the IRS
in
order to resolve the “related party tenant” issue. Since that time, we have had
additional conversations with the IRS and submitted additional documentation
requested by the IRS in support of the issuance of a closing agreement with
respect to this matter.
While
we have not yet entered into a formal closing agreement with the IRS with
respect to the Advocat matter, after its initial review, the IRS has not raised
any objections to the request. If
obtained, a closing agreement will establish that any failure to satisfy the
gross income tests was due to reasonable cause.
In the
event that it is determined that the “savings clause” described above does not
apply, we could be treated as having failed to qualify as a REIT for one or
more
taxable years.
As
a
result of the potential related party tenant issue described above, our
financial statements reflect an income tax liability of approximately $5.6
million. This amount represents the estimated liability and interest, which
remains subject to final resolution and acceptance of our request for a closing
agreement. On the advice of, and with tax counsel’s assistance, we have amended
our relationship with Advocat such that we do believe there is a related party
tenant issue with respect to rental income received from Advocat. Accordingly,
we do not expect to incur tax expense associated with related party tenant
income in future periods commencing January 1, 2007. We recorded interest and
penalty charges associated with tax matters as income tax expense. We file
U.S.
federal income tax returns and state income and franchise tax returns in over
27
state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S.
federal or state income tax examinations by taxing authorities for years prior
to 2003.
NOTE
6 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Effective
January 1, 2006, we adopted FASB Statement No. 123R, Share-Based
Payment,
using
the modified prospective method. The following is a summary of our stock based
compensation expense for the three-month periods ended:
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
stock expense
|
|
$
|
26
|
|
$
|
293
|
|
Stock
option expense
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1
|
|
Total
stock based compensation expense
|
|
$
|
26
|
|
$
|
294
|
|
As
of
March 31, 2007, we had 40,997 stock options and 15,496 shares of restricted
stock outstanding. The stock options were fully vested as of January 1, 2007
and
the restricted shares are scheduled to vest over the next three years.
NOTE
7 - FINANCING ACTIVITIES AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS
Bank
Credit Agreements
Pursuant
to Section 2.01 of our Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”), we were permitted under certain circumstances to increase our
available borrowing base under the Credit Agreement from $200 million up to
an
aggregate of $300 million. Effective February 22, 2007, we exercised our right
to increase the available revolving commitment under Section 2.01 of the Credit
Agreement from $200 million to $255 million and we consented to add 18 of our
properties to the borrowing base assets under the Credit Agreement. We paid
approximately $0.6 million in fees and expenses associated with increasing
the
available revolving commitment.
At
March
31, 2007, we had $147.0 million outstanding under our $255 million revolving
senior secured credit facility and $2.5 million was utilized for the issuance
of
letters of credit, leaving availability of $105.5 million. The $147.0 million
of
outstanding borrowings had a blended interest rate of 6.82% at March 31, 2007.
Our
long-term borrowings require us to meet certain property level financial
covenants and corporate financial covenants, including prescribed leverage,
fixed charge coverage, minimum net worth, limitations on additional indebtedness
and limitations on dividend payouts. As of March 31, 2007, we were in compliance
with all property level and corporate financial covenants.
Other
Long-Term Borrowings
As
previously reported, during the three months ended March 31, 2006, Haven
Eldercare, LLC (“Haven”), an existing operator for us, entered into a $39
million first mortgage loan with General Electric Capital Corporation (“GE
Capital”). Haven used the $39 million of proceeds from the GE Loan to partially
repay a portion of a $62 million mortgage it has with us. Simultaneously, we
subordinated the payment of its remaining $23 million mortgage note to that
of
the GE Loan. In conjunction with the above transactions and the application
of
Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities,
(“FIN
46R”), we consolidated the financial statements and real estate of the Haven
entity into our financial statements. The impact of consolidating the Haven
entity resulted in the following adjustments to our consolidated balance sheet
as of March 31, 2007: (1) an increase in total gross investments of $39.0
million; (2) an increase in accumulated depreciation of $2.0 million; (3) an
increase in accounts receivable of $0.2 million; (4) an increase in other
long-term borrowings of $39.0 million; (5) and a reduction of $1.8 million
in
cumulative net earnings primarily due to increased depreciation expense. Our
results of operation reflect the impact of the consolidation of the Haven entity
for the periods ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006. The loan has an
interest rate of approximately 7% and is due 2012. The lender of the $39 million
does not have recourse to our assets.
Issuance
of Common Stock
See
Note
11 - Subsequent Event for additional information on our issuance of common
stock.
NOTE
8 - LITIGATION
We
are
subject to various legal proceedings, claims and other actions arising out
of
the normal course of business. While any legal proceeding or claim has an
element of uncertainty, management believes that the outcome of each lawsuit,
claim or legal proceeding that is pending or threatened, or all of them
combined, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
position or results of operations.
We
and
several of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have been named as defendants in
professional liability claims related to our former owned and operated
facilities. Other third-party managers responsible for the day-to-day operations
of these facilities have also been named as defendants in these claims. In
these
suits, patients of certain previously owned and operated facilities have alleged
significant damages, including punitive damages against the defendants. The
majority of these lawsuits representing the most significant amount of exposure
were settled in 2004. There currently is one lawsuit pending that is in the
discovery stage, and we are unable to predict the likely outcome of this lawsuit
at this time.
NOTE
9 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,
requires
the presentation of the net operating results of facilities sold during 2006
and
2007 or currently classified as held-for-sale as income from discontinued
operations for all periods presented.
The
following table summarizes the results of operations of facilities sold or
held-for-sale during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March
31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rental
income
|
|
$
|
32
|
|
$
|
93
|
|
Other
income
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Subtotal
revenues
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
93
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
42
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
1
|
|
Provision
for impairment
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
121
|
|
Subtotal
expenses
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before loss on sale of assets
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
(71
|
)
|
Gain
(loss) on assets sold - net
|
|
|
1,597
|
|
|
(248
|
)
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
$
|
1,626
|
|
$
|
(319
|
)
|
During
the first quarter of 2007, we sold four properties (two in Indiana, one in
Arkansas and one in Illinois) for approximately $4.4 million and recorded
a gain
of $1.6 million. The facilities generated approximately $0.4 million in revenues
in fiscal year 2006.
NOTE
10 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
We
calculate basic and diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”) in accordance with
FAS No. 128, Earnings
Per Share.
The
computation of basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common
stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock
outstanding during the relevant period. Diluted EPS is computed using the
treasury stock method, which is net income divided by the total weighted-average
number of common outstanding shares plus the effect of dilutive common
equivalent shares during the respective period. Dilutive common shares reflect
the assumed issuance of additional common shares pursuant to certain of our
share-based compensation plans, including stock options, restricted stock and
restrictive stock units.
The
following tables set forth the computation of basis and diluted earnings per
share:
|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
19,033
|
|
$
|
10,494
|
|
Preferred
stock dividends
|
|
|
(2,481
|
)
|
|
(2,481
|
)
|
Numerator
for income available to common from continuing operations - basic
and
diluted
|
|
|
16,552
|
|
|
8,013
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
|
1,626
|
|
|
(319
|
)
|
Numerator
for net income available to common per share - basic and
diluted
|
|
$
|
18,178
|
|
$
|
7,694
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator
for basic earnings per share
|
|
|
60,094
|
|
|
57,412
|
|
Effect
of dilutive securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
stock
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
42
|
|
Stock
option incremental shares
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
20
|
|
Denominator
for diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
60,118
|
|
|
57,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per share - basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
available to common from continuing operations
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Net
income available to common
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
Earnings
per share - diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
available to common from continuing operations
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Net
income available to common
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
NOTE
11 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Issuance
of Common Stock
On
April
3, 2007, we closed an underwritten public offering of 7,130,000 shares of Omega
common stock at $16.75 per share, less underwriting discounts. The sale included
930,000 shares sold in connection with the exercise of an over-allotment option
granted to the underwriters. We received approximately $113.5 million in net
proceeds from the sale of the shares, after deducting underwriting discounts
and
before estimated offering expenses. UBS Investment Bank acted as sole
book-running manager for the offering. Banc of America Securities LLC, Deutsche
Bank Securities and Stifel Nicolaus acted as co-managers for the offering.
The
net
proceeds were used to repay indebtness under our Credit Agreement.
Forward-looking
Statements, Reimbursement Issues and Other Factors Affecting Future
Results
The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements
and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this document. This document contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws,
including statements regarding potential financings and potential future changes
in reimbursement. These statements relate to our expectations, beliefs,
intentions, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, performance
and
underlying assumptions and other statements other than statements of historical
facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use
of
forward-looking terminology including, but not limited to, terms such as “may,”
“will,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “should” or comparable
terms or the negative thereof. These statements are based on information
available on the date of this filing and only speak as to the date hereof and
no
obligation to update such forward-looking statements should be assumed. Our
actual results may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking
statements contained herein as a result of a variety of factors, including,
among other things:
(i) |
those
items discussed under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A to our annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2006;
|
(ii) |
uncertainties
relating to the business operations of the operators of our assets,
including those relating to reimbursement by third-party payors,
regulatory matters and occupancy
levels;
|
(iii) |
the
ability of any operators in bankruptcy to reject unexpired lease
obligations, modify the terms of our mortgages and impede our ability
to
collect unpaid rent or interest during the process of a bankruptcy
proceeding and retain security deposits for the debtors’
obligations;
|
(iv) |
our
ability to sell closed assets on a timely basis and on terms that
allow us
to realize the carrying value of these
assets;
|
(v) |
our
ability to negotiate appropriate modifications to the terms of our
credit
facility;
|
(vi) |
our
ability to manage, re-lease or sell any owned and operated
facilities;
|
(vii) |
the
availability and cost of capital;
|
(viii) |
competition
in the financing of healthcare
facilities;
|
(ix) |
regulatory
and other changes in the healthcare
sector;
|
(x) |
the
effect of economic and market conditions generally and, particularly,
in
the healthcare industry;
|
(xi) |
changes
in interest rates;
|
(xii) |
the
amount and yield of any additional
investments;
|
(xiii) |
changes
in tax laws and regulations affecting real estate investment
trusts;
|
(xiv) |
our
ability to maintain our status as a real estate investment trust;
and
|
(xv) |
changes
in the ratings of our debt and preferred
securities.
|
Overview
Our
portfolio of investments at March 31, 2007, consisted of 235 healthcare
facilities, located in 27 states and operated by 31 third-party operators.
Our
gross investment in these facilities totaled approximately $1.3 billion at
March
31, 2007, with 98% of our real estate investments related to long-term
healthcare facilities. This portfolio is made up of 222 long-term healthcare
facilities and two rehabilitation hospitals owned and leased to third parties
and fixed rate mortgages on nine long-term healthcare facilities and two
facilities held for sale. At March 31, 2007, we also held other investments
of
approximately $21 million, consisting primarily of secured loans to third-party
operators of our facilities.
Medicare
Reimbursement
All
of
our properties are used as healthcare facilities; therefore, we are directly
affected by the risk associated with the healthcare industry. Our lessees and
mortgagors, as well as any facilities that may be owned and operated for our
own
account from time to time, derive a substantial portion of their net operating
revenues from third-party payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
These programs are highly regulated by federal, state and local laws, rules
and
regulations and are subject to frequent and substantial change.
In
1997,
the Balanced Budget Act significantly reduced spending levels for the Medicare
and Medicaid programs, in part because the legislation modified the payment
methodology for skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) by shifting payments for
services provided to Medicare beneficiaries from a reasonable cost basis to
a
prospective payment system. Under the prospective payment system, SNFs are
paid
on a per diem prospective case-mix adjusted basis for all covered services.
Implementation of the prospective payment system has affected each long-term
care facility to a different degree, depending upon the amount of revenue such
facility derives from Medicare patients.
Legislation
adopted in 1999 and 2000 provided for a few temporary increases to Medicare
payment rates, but these temporary increases have since expired. Specifically,
in 1999 the Balanced Budget Refinement Act included a 4% across-the-board
increase of the adjusted federal per diem payment rates for all patient acuity
categories (known as “Resource Utilization Groups” or “RUGs”) that were in
effect from April 2000 through September 30, 2002. In 2000, the Benefits
Improvement and Protection Act included a 16.7% increase in the nursing
component of the case-mix adjusted federal periodic payment rate, which was
implemented in April 2000 and also expired October 1, 2002. The October 1,
2002
expiration of these temporary increases has had an adverse impact on the
revenues of the operators of SNFs and has negatively impacted some operators’
ability to satisfy their monthly lease or debt payments to us.
The
Balanced Budget Refinement Act and the Benefits Improvement and Protection
Act
also established temporary increases, beginning in April 2001, to Medicare
payment rates to SNFs that were designated to remain in place until the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), implemented refinements to the
existing RUG case-mix classification system to more accurately estimate the
cost
of non-therapy ancillary services. The Balanced Budget Refinement Act provided
for a 20% increase for 15 RUG categories until CMS modified the RUG case-mix
classification system. The Benefits Improvement and Protection Act modified
this
payment increase by reducing the 20% increase for three of the 15 RUGs to a
6.7%
increase and instituting an additional 6.7% increase for eleven other
RUGs.
On
August
4, 2005, CMS published a final rule, effective October 1, 2005, establishing
Medicare payments for SNFs under the prospective payment system for federal
fiscal year 2006 (October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006). The final rule
modified the RUG case-mix classification system and added nine new categories
to
the system, expanding the number of RUGs from 44 to 53. The implementation
of
the RUG refinements triggered the expiration of the temporary payment increases
of 20% and 6.7% established by the Balanced Budget Refinement Act and the
Benefits Improvement and Protection Act, respectively.
Additionally,
CMS announced updates in the final rule to reimbursement rates for SNFs in
federal fiscal year 2006 based on an increase in the “full market-basket” of
3.1%. In the August 4, 2005 notice, CMS estimated that the increases in Medicare
reimbursements to SNFs arising from the refinements to the prospective payment
system and the market basket update under the final rule would offset the
reductions stemming from the elimination of the temporary increases during
federal fiscal year 2006. CMS estimated that there would be an overall increase
in Medicare payments to SNFs totaling $20 million in fiscal year 2006 compared
to 2005.
On
July
27, 2006, CMS posted a notice updating the payment rates to SNFs for fiscal
year
2007 (October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007). The market basket increase factor
is 3.1% for 2007. CMS estimates that the payment update will increase aggregate
payments to SNFs nationwide by approximately $560 million in fiscal year 2007
compared to 2006.
Nonetheless,
we cannot accurately predict what effect, if any, these changes will have on
our
lessees and mortgagors in 2007 and beyond. These changes to the Medicare
prospective payment system for SNFs, including the elimination of temporary
increases, could adversely impact the revenues of the operators of nursing
facilities and could negatively impact the ability of some of our lessees and
mortgagors to satisfy their monthly lease or debt payments to us.
A
128%
temporary increase in the per diem amount paid to SNFs for residents who have
AIDS took effect on October 1, 2004. This temporary payment increase arose
from
the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, or
the
Medicare Modernization Act. Although CMS also noted that the AIDS add-on was
not
intended to be permanent, the July 2006 notice updating payment rates for SNFs
for fiscal year 2007 indicated that the increase will continue to remain in
effect for fiscal year 2007.
A
significant change enacted under the Medicare Modernization Act is the creation
of a new prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D, which went into effect
January 1, 2006. The
significant expansion of benefits for Medicare beneficiaries arising under
the
expanded prescription drug benefit could result in financial pressures on the
Medicare program that might result in future legislative and regulatory changes
with impacts for our operators. As part of this new program, the prescription
drug benefits for patients who are dually eligible for both Medicare and
Medicaid are being transitioned from Medicaid to Medicare, and many of these
patients reside in long-term care facilities. The Medicare program experienced
significant operational difficulties in transitioning prescription drug coverage
for this population when the benefit went into effect on January 1, 2006,
although it is unclear whether or how issues involving Medicare Part D might
have any direct financial impacts on our operators.
On
February 8, 2006, the President signed into law a $39.7 billion budget
reconciliation package called the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (“Deficit
Reduction Act”), to lower the federal budget deficit. The Deficit Reduction Act
included estimated net savings of $8.3 billion from the Medicare program over
5
years.
The
Deficit Reduction Act contained a provision reducing payments to SNFs for
allowable bad debts. Previously, Medicare reimbursed SNFs for 100% of
beneficiary bad debt arising from unpaid deductibles and coinsurance amounts.
In
2003, CMS released a proposed rule seeking to reduce bad debt reimbursement
rates for certain providers, including SNFs, by 30% over a three-year period.
Subsequently, in early 2006 the Deficit Reduction Act reduced payments to SNFs
for allowable bad debts by 30% effective October 1, 2005 for those individuals
not dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Bad debt payments for the dually
eligible population will remain at 100%. Consistent with this legislation,
CMS
finalized its 2003 proposed rule on August 18, 2006, and the regulations became
effective on October 1, 2006. CMS estimates that implementation of this bad
debt
provision will result in a savings to the Medicare program of $490 million
from
FY 2006 to FY 2010. These reductions in Medicare payments for bad debt could
have a material adverse effect on our operators’ financial condition and
operations, which could adversely affect their ability to meet their payment
obligations to us.
The
Deficit Reduction Act also contained a provision governing the therapy caps
that
went into place under Medicare on January 1, 2006. The therapy caps limit the
physical therapy, speech-language therapy and occupation therapy services that
a
Medicare beneficiary can receive during a calendar year. The therapy caps were
in effect for calendar year 1999 and then suspended by Congress for three years.
An inflation-adjusted therapy limit ($1,590 per year) was implemented in
September of 2002, but then once again suspended in December of 2003 by the
Medicare Modernization Act. Under the Medicare Modernization Act, Congress
placed a two-year moratorium on implementation of the caps, which expired at
the
end of 2005.
The
inflation-adjusted therapy caps are set at $1,780 for calendar year 2007. These
caps do not apply to therapy services covered under Medicare Part A in a SNF,
although the caps apply in most other instances involving patients in SNFs
or
long-term care facilities who receive therapy services covered under Medicare
Part B. The Deficit Reduction Act permitted exceptions in 2006 for therapy
services to exceed the caps when the therapy services are deemed medically
necessary by the Medicare program. The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006,
signed into law on December 20, 2006, extends these exceptions through December
31, 2007. Future and continued implementation of the therapy caps could have
a
material adverse effect on our operators’ financial condition and operations,
which could adversely affect their ability to meet their payment obligations
to
us.
In
general, we cannot be assured that federal reimbursement will remain at levels
comparable to present levels or that such reimbursement will be sufficient
for
our lessees or mortgagors to cover all operating and fixed costs necessary
to
care for Medicare and Medicaid patients. We also cannot be assured that there
will be any future legislation to increase Medicare payment rates for SNFs,
and
if such payment rates for SNFs are not increased in the future, some of our
lessees and mortgagors may have difficulty meeting their payment obligations
to
us.
Medicaid
and Other Third-Party Reimbursement
Each
state has its own Medicaid program that is funded jointly by the state and
federal government. Federal law governs how each state manages its Medicaid
program, but there is wide latitude for states to customize Medicaid programs
to
fit the needs and resources of their citizens. Currently, Medicaid is the single
largest source of financing for long-term care in the United States. Rising
Medicaid costs and decreasing state revenues caused by recent economic
conditions have prompted an increasing number of states to cut or consider
reductions in Medicaid funding as a means of balancing their respective state
budgets. Existing and future initiatives affecting Medicaid reimbursement may
reduce utilization of (and reimbursement for) services offered by the operators
of our properties.
In
recent
years, many states have announced actual or potential budget shortfalls. As
a
result of these budget shortfalls, many states have announced that they are
implementing or considering implementing “freezes” or cuts in Medicaid
reimbursement rates, including rates paid to SNF and long-term care providers,
or reductions in Medicaid enrollee benefits, including long-term care benefits.
We cannot predict the extent to which Medicaid rate freezes, cuts or benefit
reductions ultimately will be adopted, the number of states that will adopt
them
or the impact of such adoption on our operators. However, extensive Medicaid
rate cuts, freezes or benefit reductions could have a material adverse effect
on
our operators’ liquidity, financial condition and operations, which could
adversely affect their ability to make lease or mortgage payments to
us.
The
Deficit Reduction Act included $4.7 billion in estimated savings from Medicaid
and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program over five years. The Deficit
Reduction Act gave states the option to increase Medicaid cost-sharing and
reduce Medicaid benefits, accounting for an estimated $3.2 billion in federal
savings over five years. The remainder of the Medicaid savings under the Deficit
Reduction Act comes primarily from changes to prescription drug reimbursement
($3.9 billion in savings over five years) and tightened policies governing
asset
transfers ($2.4 billion in savings over five years).
Asset
transfer policies, which determine Medicaid eligibility based on whether a
Medicaid applicant has transferred assets for less than fair value, became
more
restrictive under the Deficit Reduction Act, which extended the look-back period
to five years, moved the start of the penalty period and made individuals with
more than $500,000 in home equity ineligible for nursing home benefits
(previously, the home was excluded as a countable asset for purposes of Medicaid
eligibility). These changes could have a material adverse effect on our
operators’ financial condition and operations, which could adversely affect
their ability to meet their payment obligations to us.
Additional
reductions in federal funding are expected for some state Medicaid programs
as a
result of changes in the percentage rates used for determining federal
assistance on a state-by-state basis. Legislation has been introduced in
Congress that would partially mitigate the reductions for some states that
would
experience significant reductions in federal funding, although whether Congress
will enact this or other legislation remains uncertain.
Finally,
private payors, including managed care payors, increasingly are demanding
discounted fee structures and the assumption by healthcare providers of all
or a
portion of the financial risk of operating a healthcare facility. Efforts to
impose greater discounts and more stringent cost controls are expected to
continue. Any changes in reimbursement policies that reduce reimbursement levels
could adversely affect the revenues of our lessees and mortgagors, thereby
adversely affecting those lessees’ and mortgagors’ abilities to make their
monthly lease or debt payments to us.
Fraud
and Abuse Laws and Regulations
There
are
various extremely complex and largely uninterpreted federal and state laws
governing a wide array of referrals, relationships and arrangements and
prohibiting fraud by healthcare providers, including criminal provisions that
prohibit filing false claims or making false statements to receive payment
or
certification under Medicare and Medicaid, and failing to refund overpayments
or
improper payments. The federal and state governments are devoting increasing
attention and resources to anti-fraud initiatives against healthcare providers.
Penalties for healthcare fraud have been increased and expanded over recent
years, including broader provisions for the exclusion of providers from the
Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Office of the Inspector General for the
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (“OIG-HHS”), has described a number of
ongoing and new initiatives for 2007 to study instances of potential overbilling
and/or fraud in SNFs and nursing homes under both Medicare and Medicaid. The
OIG-HHS, in cooperation with other federal and state agencies, also continues
to
focus on the activities of SNFs in certain states in which we have properties.
In
addition, the federal False Claims Act allows a private individual with
knowledge of fraud to bring a claim on behalf of the federal government and
earn
a percentage of the federal government’s recovery. Because of these monetary
incentives, these so-called ‘‘whistleblower’’ suits have become more frequent.
Some states currently have statutes that are analogous to the federal False
Claims Act. The Deficit Reduction Act encourages additional states to enact
such
legislation and may encourage increased enforcement activity by permitting
states to retain 10% of any recovery for that state’s Medicaid program if the
enacted legislation is at least as rigorous as the federal False Claims Act.
The
violation of any of these laws or regulations by an operator may result in
the
imposition of fines or other penalties that could jeopardize that operator’s
ability to make lease or mortgage payments to us or to continue operating its
facility.
Legislative
and Regulatory Developments
Each
year, legislative and regulatory proposals are introduced or proposed in
Congress and state legislatures as well as by federal and state agencies that,
if implemented, could result in major changes in the healthcare system, either
nationally or at the state level. In addition, regulatory proposals and rules
are released on an ongoing basis that may have major impacts on the healthcare
system generally and the industries in which our operators do business.
Legislative and regulatory developments can be expected to occur on an ongoing
basis at the local, state and federal levels that have direct or indirect
impacts on the policies governing the reimbursement levels paid to our
facilities by public and private third-party payors, the costs of doing business
and the threshold requirements that must be met for facilities to continue
operation or to expand.
The
Medicare Modernization Act, which is one example of such legislation, was
enacted in December 2003. The significant expansion of other benefits for
Medicare beneficiaries under this Act, such as the prescription drug benefit,
could create financial pressures on the Medicare program that might result
in
future legislative and regulatory changes with impacts on our operators.
Although the creation of a prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries
was expected to generate fiscal relief for state Medicaid programs, the
structure of the benefit and costs associated with its implementation may
mitigate the relief for states that originally was anticipated.
The
Deficit Reduction Act is another example of such legislation. The provisions
in
the legislation designed to create cost savings from both Medicare and Medicaid
could diminish reimbursement for our operators under both Medicare and
Medicaid.
CMS
also
launched, in 2002, the Nursing Home Quality Initiative program in 2002, which
requires nursing homes participating in Medicare to provide consumers with
comparative information about the quality of care at the facility. In the fall
of 2007, CMS plans to initiate a new quality campaign, Advancing Excellence
for
America’s Nursing Home Residents, to be conducted over the next two years with
the ultimate goal being improvement in quality of life and efficiency of care
delivery. In the event any of our operators do not maintain the same or superior
levels of quality care as their competitors, patients could choose alternate
facilities, which could adversely impact our operators’ revenues. In addition,
the reporting of such information could lead to reimbursement policies that
reward or penalize facilities on the basis of the reported quality of care
parameters.
In
late
2005, CMS began soliciting public comments regarding a demonstration to examine
pay-for-performance approaches in the nursing home setting that would offer
financial incentives for facilities delivering high quality care. In June 2006,
Abt Associates published recommendations for CMS on how to design this
demonstration project. The two-year demonstration is slated to begin in October
2007 and will run through September 2009. Other proposals under consideration
include efforts by individual states to control costs by decreasing state
Medicaid reimbursements in the current or future fiscal years and federal
legislation addressing various issues, such as improving quality of care and
reducing medical errors throughout the health care industry. We cannot
accurately predict whether specific proposals will be adopted or, if adopted,
what effect, if any, these proposals would have on operators and, thus, our
business.
Taxation
The
following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to us and to the holders of our securities and our
election to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”). It is not tax
advice. The summary is not intended to represent a detailed description of
the
U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to a particular stockholder
in
view of any person’s particular circumstances, nor is it intended to represent a
detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable
to
stockholders subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws
such
as insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions,
securities broker-dealers, investors in pass-through entities, expatriates
and
taxpayers subject to alternative minimum taxation.
The
following discussion, to the extent it constitutes matters of law or legal
conclusions (assuming the facts, representations, and assumptions upon which
the
discussion is based are accurate), accurately represents some of the material
U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to our securities. The sections
of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) relating to the qualification and
operation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following discussion
sets forth the material aspects of the Code sections that govern the federal
income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. The information in this
section is based on the Code; current, temporary, and proposed Treasury
regulations promulgated under the Code; the legislative history of the Code;
current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”); and court decisions, in each case, as of the date of this
report. In addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of the
IRS
include its practices and policies as expressed in private letter rulings,
which
are not binding on the IRS, except with respect to the particular taxpayers
who
requested and received those rulings.
Taxation
of Omega
General.
We have
elected to be taxed as a REIT, under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code,
beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1992. Except with respect
to
the Advocat Inc. (“Advocat”) “related party tenant” issue described elsewhere in
this report, we believe that we have been organized and operated in such a
manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code and we intend to
continue to operate in such a manner, but no assurance can be given that we
have
operated or will be able to continue to operate in a manner so as to qualify
or
remain qualified as a REIT.
The
sections of the Code that govern the federal income tax treatment of a REIT
are
highly technical and complex. The following sets forth the material aspects
of
those sections. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable
Code
provisions, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative
and
judicial interpretations thereof.
If
we
qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal
corporate income taxes on our net income that is currently distributed to
stockholders. However, we will be subject to federal income tax as follows:
First, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed REIT
taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains; provided, however,
that if we have a net capital gain, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates
on our undistributed REIT taxable income, computed without regard to net capital
gain and the deduction for capital gains dividends, plus a 35% tax on
undistributed net capital gain, if our tax as thus computed is less than the
tax
computed in the regular manner. Second, under certain circumstances, we may
be
subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference that we
do not distribute or allocate to our stockholders. Third, if we have (i) net
income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property,” which is
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, or
(ii)
other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be subject to
tax
at the highest regular corporate rate on such income. Fourth, if we have net
income from prohibited transactions (which are, in general, certain sales or
other dispositions of property (other than foreclosure property) held primarily
for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business by us, (i.e., when
we
are acting as a dealer)), such income will be subject to a 100% tax. Fifth,
if
we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income
test
(as discussed below), but have nonetheless maintained our qualification as
a
REIT because certain other requirements have been met, we will be subject to
a
100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater
of the amount by which we fail the 75% or 95% test, multiplied by (b) a fraction
intended to reflect our profitability. Sixth, if we should fail to distribute
by
the end of each year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income
for
such year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and
(iii)
any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to
a 4%
excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts actually
distributed. Seventh, we will be subject to a 100% excise tax on transactions
with a taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS, that are not conducted on an
arm’s-length basis. Eighth, if we acquire any asset, which is defined as a
“built-in gain asset” from a C corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., generally a
corporation subject to full corporate-level tax) in a transaction in which
the
basis of the built-in gain asset in our hands is determined by reference to
the
basis of the asset (or any other property) in the hands of the C corporation,
and we recognize gain on the disposition of such asset during the 10-year
period, which is defined as the “recognition period,” beginning on the date on
which such asset was acquired by us, then, to the extent of the built-in gain
(i.e., the excess of (a) the fair market value of such asset on the date such
asset was acquired by us over (b) our adjusted basis in such asset on such
date), our recognized gain will be subject to tax at the highest regular
corporate rate. The results described above with respect to the recognition
of
built-in gain assume that we will not make an election pursuant to Treasury
Regulations Section 1.337(d)-7(c)(5).
Requirements
for qualification.
The
Code
defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association: (1) which is managed
by
one or more trustees or directors; (2) the beneficial ownership of which is
evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial
interest; (3) which would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections
856 through 859 of the Code; (4) which is neither a financial institution nor
an
insurance company subject to the provisions of the Code; (5) the beneficial
ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; (6) during the last half
year
of each taxable year not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of
which is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as
defined in the Code to include certain entities); and (7) which meets certain
other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets
and
the amount of its annual distributions to stockholders. The Code provides that
conditions (1) to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year
and
that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of
twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than
twelve months. For purposes of conditions (5) and (6), pension funds and certain
other tax-exempt entities are treated as individuals, subject to a
“look-through” exception in the case of condition (6).
Income
tests.
In order
to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we annually must satisfy two gross
income requirements. First, at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross
income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must be derived
directly or indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages
on real property (including generally “rents from real property,” interest on
mortgages on real property and gains on sale of real property and real property
mortgages, other than property described in Section 1221 of the Code) and income
derived from certain types of temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of
our
gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each
taxable year must be derived from such real property investments, dividends,
interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities other
than
property held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.
Rents
received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the
gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if several conditions
are met. First, the amount of the rent must not be based in whole or in part
on
the income or profits of any person. However, any amount received or accrued
generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely
by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or
sales. Second, the Code provides that rents received from a tenant will not
qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income tests if
we, or an owner (actually or constructively) of 10% or more of the value of
our
stock, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of such tenant, which is
defined as a related party tenant. Third, if rent attributable to personal
property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is greater than
15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent
attributable to such personal property will not qualify as “rents from real
property.” Finally, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,”
we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render
services to the tenants of such property, other than through an independent
contractor from which we derive no revenue. We, however, directly perform
certain services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with
the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered
“rendered to the occupant” of the property. In addition, we may provide a
minimal amount of “non-customary” services to the tenants of a property, other
than through an independent contractor, as long as our income from the services
does not exceed 1% of our income from the related property. Furthermore, we
may
own up to 100% of the stock of a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), which may
provide customary and non-customary services to our tenants without tainting
our
rental income from the related properties. For our tax years beginning after
2004, rents for customary services performed by a TRS or that are received
from
a TRS and are described in Code Section 512(b)(3) no longer meet the 100% excise
tax safe harbor. Instead, such payments avoid the excise tax if we pay the
TRS
at least 150% of its direct cost of furnishing such services.
The
term
“interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued (directly
or indirectly) if the determination of such amount depends in whole or in part
on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued
generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of
being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross receipts or sales.
In
addition, an amount that is based on the income or profits of a debtor will
be
qualifying interest income as long as the debtor derives substantially all
of
its income from the real property securing the debt from leasing substantially
all of its interest in the property, but only to the extent that the amounts
received by the debtor would be qualifying “rents from real property” if
received directly by a REIT.
If
a loan
contains a provision that entitles us to a percentage of the borrower’s gain
upon the sale of the real property securing the loan or a percentage of the
appreciation in the property’s value as of a specific date, income attributable
to that loan provision will be treated as gain from the sale of the property
securing the loan, which generally is qualifying income for purposes of both
gross income tests.
Interest
on debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property
generally is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test.
However, if the highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable
year exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as
of
the date we agreed to originate or acquire the loan, a portion of the interest
income from such loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75%
gross income test, but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross
income test. The portion of the interest income that will not be qualifying
income for purposes of the 75% gross income test will be equal to the portion
of
the principal amount of the loan that is not secured by real property.
Prohibited
transactions.
We will
incur a 100% tax on the net income derived from any sale or other disposition
of
property, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale
to
customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We believe that none
of
our assets is primarily held for sale to customers and that a sale of any of
our
assets would not be in the ordinary course of our business. Whether a REIT
holds
an asset primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade
or
business depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time
to
time, including those related to a particular asset. Nevertheless, we will
attempt to comply with the terms of safe-harbor provisions in the federal income
tax laws prescribing when an asset sale will not be characterized as a
prohibited transaction. We cannot assure you, however, that we can comply with
the safe-harbor provisions or that we will avoid owning property that may be
characterized as property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of a trade or business.
Foreclosure
property.
We will
be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on any income from foreclosure
property, other than income that otherwise would be qualifying income for
purposes of the 75% gross income test, less expenses directly connected with
the
production of that income. However, gross income from foreclosure property
will
qualify for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Foreclosure property
is any real property, including interests in real property, and any personal
property incident to such real property:
|
•
|
that
is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid on such
property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property
to
ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there
was a
default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on
indebtedness that such property secured;
|
|
•
|
for
which the related loan or lease was acquired by the REIT at a time
when
the default was not imminent or anticipated; and
|
|
•
|
for
which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as
foreclosure property.
|
Property
generally ceases to be foreclosure property at the end of the third taxable
year
following the taxable year in which the REIT acquired the property, or longer
if
an extension is granted by the Secretary of the Treasury. This grace period
terminates and foreclosure property ceases to be foreclosure property on the
first day:
|
•
|
on
which a lease is entered into for the property that, by its terms,
will
give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75%
gross
income test, or any amount is received or accrued, directly or indirectly,
pursuant to a lease entered into on or after such day that will give
rise
to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income
test;
|
|
•
|
on
which any construction takes place on the property, other than completion
of a building or any other improvement, where more than 10% of the
construction was completed before default became imminent; or
|
|
•
|
which
is more than 90 days after the day on which the REIT acquired the
property
and the property is used in a trade or business which is conducted
by the
REIT, other than through an independent contractor from whom the
REIT
itself does not derive or receive any income.
|
After
the
year 2000, the definition of foreclosure property was amended to include any
“qualified health care property,” as defined in Code Section 856(e)(6) acquired
by us as the result of the termination or expiration of a lease of such
property. We have operated qualified healthcare facilities acquired in this
manner for up to two years (or longer if an extension was granted). However,
we
do not currently own any property with respect to which we have made foreclosure
property elections. Properties that we had taken back in a foreclosure or
bankruptcy and operated for our own account were treated as foreclosure
properties for income tax purposes, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section
856(e). Gross income from foreclosure properties was classified as “good income”
for purposes of the annual REIT income tests upon making the election on the
tax
return. Once made, the income was classified as “good” for a period of three
years, or until the properties were no longer operated for our own account.
In
all cases of foreclosure property, we utilized an independent contractor to
conduct day-to-day operations in order to maintain REIT status. In certain
cases
we operated these facilities through a taxable REIT subsidiary. For those
properties operated through the taxable REIT subsidiary, we utilized an eligible
independent contractor to conduct day-to-day operations to maintain REIT status.
As a result of the foregoing, we do not believe that our participation in the
operation of nursing homes increased the risk that we will fail to qualify
as a
REIT. Through our 2005 taxable year, we had not paid any tax on our foreclosure
property because those properties had been producing losses. We cannot predict
whether, in the future, our income from foreclosure property will be significant
and/or whether we could be required to pay a significant amount of tax on that
income.
Hedging
transactions. From
time
to time, we enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of
our
assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest
rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures
and
forward contracts. To the extent that we enter into an interest rate swap or
cap
contract, option, futures contract, forward rate agreement, or any similar
financial instrument to hedge our indebtedness incurred to acquire or carry
“real estate assets,” any periodic income or gain from the disposition of that
contract should be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test,
but not the 75% gross income test. Accordingly, our income and gain from our
interest rate swap agreements generally is qualifying income for purposes of
the
95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. To the extent that
we
hedge with other types of financial instruments, or in other situations, it
is
not entirely clear how the income from those transactions will be treated for
purposes of the gross income tests. We have structured and intend to continue
to
structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our
status as a REIT. For tax years beginning after 2004, we will no longer include
income from hedging transactions in gross income (i.e., not included in either
the numerator or the denominator) for purposes of the 95% gross income test.
TRS
income.
A TRS
may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the
parent REIT. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the
subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation of which a TRS directly or indirectly owns
more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically
be
treated as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may
consist of securities of one or more TRSs. However, a TRS does not include
a
corporation which directly or indirectly (i) operates or manages a health care
(or lodging) facility, or (ii) provides to any other person (under a franchise,
license, or otherwise) rights to any brand name under which a health care (or
lodging) facility is operated. A TRS will pay income tax at regular corporate
rates on any income that it earns. In addition, the new rules limit the
deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure
that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The
rules
also impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent
REIT
or the REIT’s tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We have
made a TRS election with respect to Bayside Street II, Inc. That entity will
pay
corporate income tax on its taxable income and its after-tax net income will
be
available for distribution to us.
Failure
to satisfy income tests.
If we
fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable
year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled
to
relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be
generally available if our failure to meet such tests was due to reasonable
cause and not due to willful neglect, we attach a schedule of the sources of
our
income to our tax return, and any incorrect information on the schedule was
not
due to fraud with intent to evade tax. It is not possible, however, to state
whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief
provisions. Even if these relief provisions apply, we would incur a 100% tax
on
the gross income attributable to the greater of the amounts by which we fail
the
75% and 95% gross income tests, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect
our
profitability and we would file a schedule with descriptions of each item of
gross income that caused the failure.
Related
Party Tenant Issue.
In the
fourth quarter of 2006, we were advised by tax counsel that, due to certain
provisions of the Series B preferred stock issued to us by Advocat in 2000
in
connection with a restructuring, Advocat may be considered to be a “related
party tenant” under the rules applicable to REITs and, in such event, rental
income received by us from Advocat would not be qualifying income for purposes
of the REIT gross income tests. The applicable federal income tax rules provide
a “savings clause” for REITs that fail to satisfy the REIT gross income tests if
such a failure is due to reasonable cause.
While
we
believe that there are valid arguments that Advocat should not be a “related
party tenant,” if Advocat is so treated, we would have failed to satisfy the 95%
gross income tests during certain prior taxable years. Such a failure would
have
prevented us from maintaining REIT tax status during such years and from
re-electing tax status for a number of taxable years. In such event, our failure
to satisfy the REIT gross income tests would not result in the loss of REIT
status, however, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful
neglect, and we pay a tax on the non-qualifying income. Accordingly, on the
advice of tax counsel in order to resolve the matter, minimize potential
penalties, and obtain assurances regarding our continued REIT tax status, we
submitted to the IRS a request for a closing agreement on December 15, 2006,
which agreement would conclude that any failure to satisfy the gross income
tests would be due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. Since that
time, we have had ongoing conversations with the IRS and we have submitted
additional documentation in furtherance of the issuance of a closing agreement,
but, to date, we have not yet entered into a closing agreement with respect
to
the related party tenant issue with the IRS. We intend to continue to pursue
a
closing agreement with the IRS. In the event that it is determined that the
“savings clause” described above does not apply, we could be treated as having
failed to qualify as a REIT for one or more taxable years. If we fail to qualify
for taxation as a REIT for any taxable year, our income will be taxed at regular
corporate rates, and we could be disqualified as a REIT for the following four
taxable years.
As
a
result of the potential related party tenant issue described above, we have
recorded a $2.3 million and $2.4 million provision for income taxes, including
related interest expense, for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. The amount accrued represents the estimated liability and
interest, which remains subject to final resolution and therefore is subject
to
change. In addition, in October 2006, we restructured our Advocat relationship
and have been advised by tax counsel that we will not receive any non-qualifying
related party tenant income from Advocat in future fiscal years. Accordingly,
we
do not expect to incur tax expense associated with related party tenant income
in future periods commencing January 1, 2007, assuming we enter into a closing
agreement with the IRS that recognizes that reasonable cause existed for any
failure to satisfy the REIT gross income tests as explained above.
Asset
tests.
At the
close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy the following
tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value
of
our total assets must be represented by real estate assets (including (i) our
allocable share of real estate assets held by partnerships in which we own
an
interest and (ii) stock or debt instruments held for not more than one year
purchased with the proceeds of a stock offering or long-term (at least five
years) debt offering of our company), cash, cash items and government
securities. Second, of our investments not included in the 75% asset class,
the
value of our interest in any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the
value of our total assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of the voting
power or value of any one issuer’s outstanding securities. Fourth, no more than
20% of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities of one or
more TRSs. Fifth, no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may consist
of the securities of TRSs and other non-TRS taxable subsidiaries and other
assets that are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset
test.
For
purposes of the second and third asset tests the term “securities” does not
include our equity or debt securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary or TRS
or
our equity interest in any partnership, since we are deemed to own our
proportionate share of each asset of any partnership of which we are a partner.
Furthermore, for purposes of determining whether we own more than 10% of the
value of only one issuer’s outstanding securities, the term “securities” does
not include: (i) any loan to an individual or an estate; (ii) any Code Section
467 rental agreement; (iii) any obligation to pay rents from real property;
(iv)
certain government issued securities; (v) any security issued by another REIT;
and (vi) our debt securities in any partnership, not otherwise excepted under
(i) through (v) above, (A) to the extent of our interest as a partner in the
partnership or (B) if 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from
sources described in the 75% income test set forth above.
We
may
own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. However, overall, no more
than
20% of the value of our assets may consist of securities of one or more TRSs,
and no more than 25% of the value of our assets may consist of the securities
of
TRSs and other non-TRS taxable subsidiaries (including stock in non-REIT C
corporations) and other assets that are not qualifying assets for purposes
of
the 75% asset test. If the outstanding principal balance of a mortgage loan
exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan, a portion
of such loan likely will not be a qualifying real estate asset under the federal
income tax laws. The nonqualifying portion of that mortgage loan will be equal
to the portion of the loan amount that exceeds the value of the associated
real
property.
After
initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not
lose
our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy any of the asset tests at the end
of
a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If the failure
to
satisfy the asset tests results from an acquisition of securities or other
property during a quarter, the failure can be cured by disposition of sufficient
nonqualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that
quarter.
For
our
tax years beginning after 2004, subject to certain de
minimis
exceptions, we may avoid REIT disqualification in the event of certain failures
under the asset tests, provided that (i) we file a schedule with a description
of each asset that caused the failure, (ii) the failure was due to reasonable
cause and not willful neglect, (iii) we dispose of the assets within 6 months
after the last day of the quarter in which the identification of the failure
occurred (or the requirements of the rules are otherwise met within such
period), and (iv) we pay a tax on the failure equal to the greater of (A)
$50,000 per failure, and (B) the product of the net income generated by the
assets that caused the failure for the period beginning on the date of the
failure and ending on the date we dispose of the asset (or otherwise satisfy
the
requirements) multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate.
Annual
distribution requirements.
In order
to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends (other than
capital gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to
(A)
the sum of (i) 90% of our “REIT taxable income” (computed without regard to the
dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain) and (ii) 90% of the net
income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (B) the sum of
certain items of noncash income. Such distributions must be paid in the taxable
year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before
we timely file our tax return for such year and paid on or before the first
regular dividend payment after such declaration. In addition, such distributions
are required to be made pro rata, with no preference to any share of stock
as
compared with other shares of the same class, and with no preference to one
class of stock as compared with another class except to the extent that such
class is entitled to such a preference. To the extent that we do not distribute
all of our net capital gain or do distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%
of
our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax thereon at
regular ordinary and capital gain corporate tax rates.
Furthermore,
if we fail to distribute during a calendar year, or by the end of January
following the calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and
record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, at least
the
sum of:
• 85%
of
our REIT ordinary income for such year;
• 95%
of
our REIT capital gain income for such year; and
• any
undistributed taxable income from prior periods,
we
will
incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such required distribution
over the amounts we actually distribute. We may elect to retain and pay income
tax on the net long-term capital gain we receive in a taxable year. If we so
elect, we will be treated as having distributed any such retained amount for
purposes of the 4% excise tax described above. We have made, and we intend
to
continue to make, timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual
distribution requirements. We may also be entitled to pay and deduct deficiency
dividends in later years as a relief measure to correct errors in determining
our taxable income. Although we may be able to avoid income tax on amounts
distributed as deficiency dividends, we will be required to pay interest to
the
IRS based upon the amount of any deduction we take for deficiency
dividends.
The
availability to us of, among other things, depreciation deductions with respect
to our owned facilities depends upon the treatment by us as the owner of such
facilities for federal income tax purposes, and the classification of the leases
with respect to such facilities as “true leases” rather than financing
arrangements for federal income tax purposes. The questions of whether we are
the owner of such facilities and whether the leases are true leases for federal
tax purposes are essentially factual matters. We believe that we will be treated
as the owner of each of the facilities that we lease, and such leases will
be
treated as true leases for federal income tax purposes. However, no assurances
can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge our status as the
owner of our facilities subject to leases, and the status of such leases as
true
leases, asserting that the purchase of the facilities by us and the leasing
of
such facilities merely constitute steps in secured financing transactions in
which the lessees are owners of the facilities and we are merely a secured
creditor. In such event, we would not be entitled to claim depreciation
deductions with respect to any of the affected facilities. As a result, we
might
fail to meet the 90% distribution requirement or, if such requirement is met,
we
might be subject to corporate income tax or the 4% excise tax.
Other
Failures.
We may
avoid disqualification in the event of a failure to meet certain requirements
for REIT qualification, other than the 95% and 75% gross income tests, the
rules
with respect to ownership of securities of more than 10% of a single issuer,
and
the new rules provided for failures of the asset tests, if the failures are
due
to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and if the REIT pays a penalty
of
$50,000 for each such failure.
Failure
to Qualify
If
we
fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions do
not
apply, we will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum
tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to
stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify will not be deductible
and
our failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce the cash available for
distribution by us to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify
as a
REIT, all distributions to stockholders will be taxable as ordinary income,
to
the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, and, subject to
certain limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for
the
dividends received deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory
provisions, we would also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four
taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. It is
not
possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to such
statutory relief. Failure to qualify could result in our incurring indebtedness
or liquidating investments in order to pay the resulting taxes.
Other
Tax Matters
We
own
and operate a number of properties through qualified REIT subsidiaries,
(“QRSs”). The QRSs are treated as qualified REIT subsidiaries under the Code.
Code Section 856(i) provides that a corporation which is a qualified REIT
subsidiary shall not be treated as a separate corporation, and all assets,
liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of a qualified REIT
subsidiary shall be treated as assets, liabilities and such items (as the case
may be) of the REIT. Thus, in applying the tests for REIT qualification
described in this prospectus under the heading “Taxation of Omega,” the QRSs
will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction,
and
credit of such QRSs will be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of
income, deduction, and credit.
In
the
case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, the REIT is treated as owning
its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and as earning its
allocable share of the gross income of the partnership for purposes of the
applicable REIT qualification tests. Thus, our proportionate share of the
assets, liabilities, and items of income of any partnership, joint venture,
or
limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal income
tax purposes in which we own an interest, directly or indirectly, will be
treated as our assets and gross income for purposes of applying the various
REIT
qualification requirements.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our
financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and a summary of
our significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 - Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies to our annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2006. Our preparation of the financial statements requires
us
to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts
reported in our financial statements and accompanying footnotes. Future events
and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore,
the
determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results
inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such difference may be material
to the consolidated financial statements. We have described our most critical
accounting policies in our 2006 annual report on Form 10-K in Item 7, Management
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. During
the first quarter of 2007, we adopted Financial
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”),
“Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,”
an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FAS No. 109”), “Accounting
for Income Taxes.”
The
following discussion provides additional information about the effect on the
consolidated financial statements of judgments and estimates related to our
policy regarding uncertainty in income taxes.
Effective
January 1, 2007, we adopted the provision of FIN 48. FIN 48 clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s
financial statements in accordance with FAS No. 109, by defining a criterion
that an individual tax position must meet for any part of that position to
be
recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. The interpretation requires
a review of all tax positions accounted for in accordance with FAS No. 109
and
applies a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. A tax position that meets
the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently
measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent
likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority
that
has full knowledge of all relevant information. Subsequent recognition,
derecognition, and measurement is based on management’s judgment given the
facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. We have
evaluated FIN 48 and determined that FIN 48 has no impact to our financial
statements.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncement:
In
September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair
Value Measurements” (“FAS
No.
157”). This standard defines fair value, establishes a methodology for measuring
fair value and expands the required disclosure for fair value measurements.
FAS
No. 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an
entity-specific measurement, and states that a fair value measurement should
be
determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability. This statement applies under other accounting
pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having
previously concluded in those pronouncements that fair value is the relevant
measurement attribute. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new
fair
value measurements. FAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and we intend to adopt the standard on January 1, 2008.
We
are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS No. 157 will have on
our
financial statements.
Results
of Operations
The
following is our discussion of the consolidated results of operations, financial
position and liquidity and capital resources, which should be read in
conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes.
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
Operating
Revenues
Our
operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007 totaled $42.7
million, an increase of $10.6 million, over the same period in 2006.
The
$10.6
million increase was primarily the result of additional rental income due to
the
third quarter 2006 acquisition of 30 SNFs and one independent living center
from
Litchfield Investment Company, LLC (“Litchfield”) and a change in accounting
estimate related to one of our operators. As more fully disclosed in Note 2
-
Properties, during the first quarter of 2007, we determined that we should
reverse approximately $5.0 million of allowance previously established for
straight-line rent, as a result of an improvement in one of our operator’s
financial condition.
Operating
Expenses
Operating
expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 totaled $11.4 million, an
increase of approximately $1.5 million over the same period in 2006.
The
increase was primarily due to additional depreciation expense resulting from
the
third quarter 2006 acquisition of the Litchfield facilities.
Other
Income (Expense)
For
the
three months ended March 31, 2007, our total other expenses were $12.3 million,
as compared to $11.2 million for the same period in 2006, an increase of $1.1
million. The $1.1 million increase primarily due to the following:
· |
Interest
expense, excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and
refinancing related interest expenses, increased $2.2 million to
$11.8
million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, from $9.6 million
for
the same period 2006. The increase of $2.2 million was primarily
due to
the additional debt outstanding as a result of the third quarter
acquisition of the Litchfield facilities.
|
· |
For
the three months ended March 31, 2006, we recorded a non-cash charge
of
approximately $2.7 million relating to the write-off of deferred
financing
costs associated with the termination of our old credit facility,
and $0.8
million non-cash charge associated with the redemption of the remaining
20.7% of our $100 million aggregate principal amount of 6.95% unsecured
notes due 2007.
|
· |
For
the three months ended March 31, 2006, we recorded a non-cash $2.4
million
mark-to-market adjustment to reflect the increase in fair value of
our
derivative instrument (i.e., the conversion feature of the redeemable
convertible preferred stock we held in Advocat, a publicly traded
company).
|
Taxes
As
more
fully disclosed in Note 5 - Taxes and in our December 31, 2006 Form 10-K, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”), we identified a related party tenant issue which could have been
interpreted as affecting our compliance with federal income tax rules applicable
to REITs regarding related party tenant income. During the fourth quarter of
2006, we restructured our agreement with the tenant eliminating the related
party tenant income issue. As a result of the related party tenant issue in
2006, we recorded income tax expense of $0.5 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2006.
So
long
as we qualify as a REIT and, among other things, we distribute 90% of our
taxable income, we will not be subject to Federal income taxes on our income,
except as described below. For
tax year
2006, preferred and common dividend payments of approximately $67 million made
throughout 2006 satisfy the 2006 REIT requirements relating to qualifying
income. We
are
permitted to own up to 100% of a “taxable REIT subsidiary” (“TRS”). Currently,
we have two TRSs that are taxable as corporations and that pay federal, state
and local income tax on their net income at the applicable corporate
rates.
These
TRSs had net operating loss carry-forwards as of March 31, 2007 of $12 million.
These loss carry-forwards were fully reserved with a valuation allowance due
to
uncertainties regarding realization. We recorded interest and penalty charges
associated with tax matters as income tax expense.
Income
from continuing operations
Income
from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $19.0
million compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2006. The increase
in
income from continuing operations is the result of the factors described
above.
Gain/Loss
from Discontinued Operations
For
the
three months ended March 31, 2007,
we
recorded a gain of $1.6 million compared to a loss of $0.3 million in the same
period last year. The first quarter 2007 gain relates primarily to the sale
of
two assisted living facilities (“ALFs”) in Indiana. The first quarter 2006 loss
relates primarily to the sale of a SNF in Illinois.
Funds
From Operations
Our
funds
from operations available to common stockholders (“FFO”), for the three months
ended March 31, 2007, was $25.4 million, compared to $15.5 million, for the
same
period in 2006.
We
calculate and report FFO in accordance with the definition and interpretive
guidelines issued by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
(“NAREIT”), and, consequently, FFO is defined as net income available to common
stockholders, adjusted for the effects of asset dispositions and certain
non-cash items, primarily depreciation and amortization. We believe that FFO
is
an important supplemental measure of our operating performance. Because the
historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires
depreciation (except on land), such accounting presentation implies that the
value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time, while real estate
values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions. The
term FFO was designed by the real estate industry to address this issue. FFO
herein is not necessarily comparable to FFO of other real estate investment
trusts (“REITs”) that do not use the same definition or implementation
guidelines or interpret the standards differently from us.
We
use
FFO as one of several criteria to measure operating performance of our business.
We further believe that by excluding the effect of depreciation, amortization
and gains or losses from sales of real estate, all of which are based on
historical costs and which may be of limited relevance in evaluating current
performance, FFO can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between
periods and between other REITs. We offer this measure to assist the users
of
our financial statements in evaluating our financial performance under GAAP,
and
FFO should not be considered a measure of liquidity, an alternative to net
income or an indicator of any other performance measure determined in accordance
with GAAP. Investors and potential investors in our securities should not rely
on this measure as a substitute for any GAAP measure, including net
income.
The
following table presents our FFO results reflecting the impact of asset
impairment charges (the SEC's interpretation) for the three months ended March
31, 2007 and 2006:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March
31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
Net
income available to common
|
|
$
|
18,178
|
|
$
|
7,694
|
|
Add
back loss (deduct gain) from real estate dispositions
|
|
|
(1,597
|
)
|
|
248
|
|
|
|
|
16,581
|
|
|
7,942
|
|
Elimination
of non-cash items included in net income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
8,799
|
|
|
7,527
|
|
Funds
from operations available to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
25,380
|
|
$
|
15,469
|
|
Portfolio
Developments, New Investments and Recent Developments
Below
is
a brief description, by third-party operator, of our re-leasing, restructuring
or new investment transactions that occurred during the three months ended
March
31, 2007.
Advocat
We
continuously evaluate the payment history and financial strength of our
operators and have historically established allowance reserves for straight-line
rent adjustments for operators that do not meet our internal revenue
requirements. We consider factors such as payment history, the operator’s
financial condition as well as current and future anticipated operating trends
and regulatory impacts on our operators when evaluating whether to establish
allowances.
We
have
reviewed Advocat’s financial statements annually and noted that since 2000
Advocat’s external auditors issued Advocat a “going concern” opinion. We
reviewed Advocat’s 2006 annual report and noted that Advocat was issued a
“clean” opinion by its external auditors (i.e., the auditors removed the going
concern qualification). We also reviewed Advocat’s financial statements and
noted an improvement in its financial condition. As a result, we determined
that
we should reverse approximately $5.0 million of allowance previously established
for straight line rent. This change in estimate resulted in an additional $0.08
per share of income from continuing operations and net income for the
quarter.
Haven
Eldercare, LLC
In
conjunction with the application of FIN 46R, we consolidated the financial
statements and related real estate of this Haven entity into our financial
statements. The impact of consolidating the Haven entity resulted in the
following adjustments to our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2007:
(1) an increase in total gross investments of $39.0 million; (2) an increase
in
accumulated depreciation of $2.0 million; (3) an increase in accounts receivable
of $0.2 million; (4) an increase in other long-term borrowings of $39.0 million;
(5) and a reduction of $1.8 million in cumulative net earnings primarily due
to
increased depreciation expense. Our results of operation reflect the impact
of
the consolidation of the Haven entity for the three-month periods ended March
31, 2007 and March 31, 2006.
Assets
Sold
· |
For
the three-month period ended March 31, 2007, we sold a SNF in Illinois,
a
SNF in Arkansas and two ALFs in Indiana resulting in a gain of
approximately $1.6 million.
|
Held
for Sale
· |
We
had two facilities held for sale as of March 31, 2007 with a net
book
value of approximately $0.8 million.
|
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
At
March
31, 2007, we had total assets of $1.2 billion, stockholders’ equity of $467.3
million and debt of $673.1 million, which represents approximately 59.0% of
our
total capitalization.
The
following table shows the amounts due in connection with the contractual
obligations described below as of March 31, 2007.
|
|
Payments
due by period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Less
than
1
year
|
|
1-3
years
|
|
3-5
years
|
|
More
than
5
years
|
|
|
|
(In
millions)
|
Long-term
debt (1)
|
|
$
|
673.4
|
|
$
|
0.4
|
|
$
|
147.9
|
|
$
|
0.8
|
|
$
|
524.3
|
|
Other
long-term liabilities
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
673.9
|
|
$
|
0.7
|
|
$
|
148.1
|
|
$
|
0.8
|
|
$
|
524.3
|
|
(1) |
The
$673.4 million includes $310 million aggregate principal amount of
7%
Senior Notes due 2014, $175 million aggregate principal amount of
7%
Senior Notes due 2016, $147.0 million in borrowings under the $255
million
revolving senior secured credit facility that matures in March 2010
and
Haven’s $39 million first mortgage with General Electric Capital
Corporation that expires in
2012.
|
Financing
Activities and Borrowing Arrangements
Bank
Credit Agreements
At
March
31, 2007, we had $147.0 million outstanding under our $255 million revolving
senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) and $2.5 million was
utilized for the issuance of letters of credit, leaving availability of $105.5
million. The $147.0 million of outstanding borrowings had a blended interest
rate of 6.82% at March 31, 2007.
Pursuant
to Section 2.01 of our Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”), that governs our Credit Facility, we were permitted under certain
circumstances to increase our available borrowing base under the Credit
Agreement from $200 million up to an aggregate of $300 million. Effective
February 22, 2007, we exercised our right to increase the available revolving
commitment under Section 2.01 of the Credit Agreement from $200 million to
$255
million and we consented to add 18 of our properties to the borrowing base
assets under the Credit Agreement.
Our
long-term borrowings require us to meet certain property level financial
covenants and corporate financial covenants, including prescribed leverage,
fixed charge coverage, minimum net worth, limitations on additional indebtedness
and limitations on dividend payouts. As of March 31, 2007, we were in compliance
with all property level and corporate financial covenants.
7.130
Million Common Stock Offering
As
previously announced, on April 3, 2007, we closed an underwritten public
offering of 7,130,000 shares our common stock at $16.75 per share, less
underwriting discounts. The sale included 930,000 shares sold in connection
with
the exercise of an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. We
received approximately $113.5 million in net proceeds from the sale of the
shares, after deducting underwriting discounts and before estimated offering
expenses. UBS Investment Bank acted as sole book-running manager for the
offering. Banc of America Securities LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities and Stifel
Nicolaus acted as co-managers for the offering. The
net
proceeds were used to repay indebtedness under our Credit Facility.
Dividends
In
order
to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends (other than
capital gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to
(A)
the sum of (i) 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (computed without regard to
the
dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain), and (ii) 90% of the net
income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (B) the sum of
certain items of non-cash income. In addition, if we dispose of any built-in
gain asset during a recognition period, we will be required to distribute at
least 90% of the built-in gain (after tax), if any, recognized on the
disposition of such asset. Such distributions must be paid in the taxable year
to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we
timely file our tax return for such year and paid on or before the first regular
dividend payment after such declaration. In addition, such distributions are
required to be made pro rata, with no preference to any share of stock as
compared with other shares of the same class, and with no preference to one
class of stock as compared with another class except to the extent that such
class is entitled to such a preference. To the extent that we do not distribute
all of our net capital gain or do distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%
of
our "REIT taxable income," as adjusted, we will be subject to tax thereon at
regular ordinary and capital gain corporate tax rates. In addition, our Credit
Facility has certain financial covenants that limit the distribution of
dividends paid during a fiscal quarter to no more than 95% of our aggregate
cumulative FFO as defined in the Credit Agreement, unless a greater distribution
is required to maintain REIT status. The Credit Agreement defines FFO as net
income (or loss) plus depreciation and amortization and shall be adjusted for
charges related to: (i) restructuring our debt; (ii) redemption of preferred
stock; (iii) litigation charges up to $5.0 million; (iv) non-cash charges for
accounts and notes receivable up to $5.0 million; (v) non-cash compensation
related expenses; (vi) non-cash impairment charges;
and
(vii)
tax liabilities in an amount not to exceed $8.0 million.
Common
Dividends
On
April
18, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend of $0.27
per
share, an increase of $0.01 per common share compared to the prior quarter,
to
be paid May 15, 2007 to common stockholders of record on April 30,
2007.
On
January 16, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend of
$0.26 per share, an increase of $0.01 per common share compared to the prior
quarter. The common dividend was paid February 15, 2007 to common stockholders
of record on January 31, 2007.
Series
D Preferred Dividends
On
April
18, 2007, the Board of Directors declared the regular quarterly dividends for
the 8.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred
Stock”) to stockholders of record on April 30, 2007. The stockholders of record
of the Series D Preferred Stock on April 30, 2007 will be paid dividends in
the
amount of $0.52344 per preferred share on May 15, 2007. The liquidation
preference for our Series D Preferred Stock is $25.00 per share. Regular
quarterly preferred dividends for the Series D Preferred Stock represent
dividends for the period February 1, 2007 through April 30, 2007.
On
January 16, 2007, the Board of Directors declared regular quarterly dividends
of
approximately $0.52344 per preferred share on the Series D Preferred Stock
that
were paid February 15, 2007 to preferred stockholders of record on January
31,
2007.
Liquidity
We
believe our liquidity and various sources of available capital, including cash
from operations, our existing availability under our Credit Facility and
expected proceeds from mortgage payoffs are more than adequate to finance
operations, meet recurring debt service requirements and fund future investments
through the next twelve months.
We
regularly review our liquidity needs, the adequacy of cash flow from operations,
and other expected liquidity sources to meet these needs. We believe our
principal short-term liquidity needs are to fund:
· normal
recurring expenses;
· debt
service payments;
· preferred
stock dividends;
· common
stock dividends; and
· growth
through acquisitions of additional properties.
The
primary source of liquidity is our cash flows from operations. Operating cash
flows have historically been determined by: (i) the number of facilities we
lease or have mortgages on; (ii) rental and mortgage rates; (iii) our debt
service obligations; and (iv) general and administrative expenses. The timing,
source and amount of cash flows provided by financing activities and used in
investing activities are sensitive to the capital markets environment,
especially to changes in interest rates. Changes in the capital markets
environment may impact the availability of cost-effective capital and affect
our
plans for acquisition and disposition activity.
Cash
and
cash equivalents totaled $2.7 million as of March 31, 2007, an increase of
$1.9
million as compared to the balance at December 31, 2006. The following is a
discussion of changes in cash and cash equivalents due to operating, investing
and financing activities, which are presented in our Consolidated Statements
of
Cash Flows.
Operating
Activities -
Net
cash flow from operating activities generated $21.3 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2007, as compared to $23.7 million for the same period in 2006.
The $2.4 million decrease was due primarily to the timing of interest payments
year over year offset by additional revenue from the Litchfield acquisition.
During the first quarter of 2007, we made $8.6 million in interest payments
compared to $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2006.
Investing
Activities
- Net
cash flow from investing activities was an inflow of $3.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to an outflow of $2.9 million for
the
same period in 2006. The $6.0 million change in investing cash flow was
primarily due to proceeds from the sale of properties of $3.7 million and the
repayment of $1.1 million of notes receivable during the three months ended
March 31, 2007. In the first quarter of 2006, we issued net notes receivable
of
$1.8 million.
Financing
Activities
- Net
cash flow from financing activities was an outflow of $22.4 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared to an outflow of $24.3 million
for
the same period in 2006. The decrease in cash outflow from financing activities
of $1.9 million was primarily a result of a reduction in net payments on our
Credit Facility and other borrowings of $11.5 million, offset by an increase
in
dividend payment of $2.4 million compared to the same period last year and
the
reduction in dividend reinvestment proceeds of $7.6 million compared to the
same
period last year. For the three months ended March 31, 2007 we repaid net
borrowings of $3.0 million compared to $14.5 million in the same period in
2006.
We
are
exposed to various market risks, including the potential loss arising from
adverse changes in interest rates. We do not enter into derivatives or other
financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, but we seek to
mitigate the effects of fluctuations in interest rates by matching the term
of
new investments with new long-term fixed rate borrowing to the extent
possible.
There
were no material changes in our market risk during the three months ended March
31, 2007. For additional information, refer to Item 7A as presented in our
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are controls and other
procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the
information that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or
submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In
connection with the preparation of this Form 10-Q, we evaluated the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures as of March 31, 2007. In making this evaluation, our management
considered the matters relating to the restatement of our financial statements
and the material weakness and the remediation thereof discussed below. Based
on
this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
concluded that, solely as a result of the material weakness discussed below,
our
disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2007
to
ensure that material information was accumulated and communicated to our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Material
Weakness Previously Reported
As
noted
under Item 9A in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, management
determined that a material weakness in our internal control over financial
reporting existed as of December 31, 2006. Management determined that as of
December 31, 2006, we lacked sufficient internal control processes, procedures
and personnel resources necessary to address accounting for certain complex
and/or non-routine transactions. This material weakness resulted in errors
in
accounting for financial instruments, income taxes and straight-line rental
revenue in our financial statements for the three years ended December 31,
2005
and in our interim financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March
31, 2006 and June 30, 2006 that were not prevented or detected on a timely
basis.
Remediation
of Previously Reported Material Weakness in Internal Control
During
the three months ended March 31, 2007, we implemented the following changes
in
internal control of financial reporting:
· |
We
added a Chief Accounting Officer with technical accounting expertise;
|
· |
We
implemented a review process for all complex and/or non-routine accounting
transactions; and
|
· |
We
implemented additional formalized communication processes between
senior
management and financial management with regard to transactions and
business environment.
|
We
believe we have taken the steps necessary to remediate the material weakness
discussed above; however, we cannot confirm the effectiveness of our enhanced
internal controls with respect to our accounting for certain complex and/or
non-routine transactions until we have conducted sufficient testing. We
anticipate that such testing will be completed in connection with management’s
assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
to be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31,
2007. Accordingly, we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our
accounting processes, procedures and controls relating to our accounting for
certain complex and/or non-routine transactions and will make any further
changes management deems appropriate.
Changes
in Internal Controls.
Other
than noted above in this Item 4, there were no changes in our internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under
the
Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation of our internal
controls performed during the first quarter of 2007 that have materially
affected, or a reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control
over
financial reporting.
PART
II -
OTHER INFORMATION
See
Note
8 - Litigation to the Consolidated Financial Statements in PART I, Item 1
hereto, which is hereby incorporated by reference in response to this
item.
We
filed
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2007, which sets forth our
risk factors in Item 1A therein. We have not experienced any material changes
from the risk factors previously described therein.
Our
shares of Common Stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol “OHI.” During the three months ended March 31, 2007, we purchased 43,515
shares of our common stock from employees to pay the withholding taxes
associated with the vesting of restricted stock awarded to our
employees.
Period
|
|
Total
Number of Shares Purchased (1)
|
|
Average
Price Paid per Share
|
|
Total
Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or
Programs
|
|
Maximum
Number (or Approximate Dollars Amount) of Shares that May be Purchased
Under these Plans or Programs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
1, 2007 through January 31, 2007
|
|
|
43,515
|
|
$
|
17.72
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
February
1, 2007 through February 28, 2007
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
March
1, 2007 through March 31, 2007
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
43,515
|
|
$
|
17.72
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
(1) |
Represents
shares purchased from employees to pay withholding taxes related
to the
vesting of restricted stock awarded to employees. These shares were
not
part of a publicly announced repurchase plan or program.
|
Employment
Agreement and Amendments to Employment Agreements. On
May 7,
2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Michael Ritz regarding
the
terms and conditions of his employment as Chief Accounting Officer of the
Company. Also on May 7, 2007, we amended the employment agreements for Taylor
Pickett, Daniel Booth, Robert Stephenson and Lee Crabill (the “Other Executive
Officers”). Copies of the employment agreement and amendments are attached to
this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and
10.5
and the following summary is qualified entirely by reference thereto. The
significant features of the employment agreement with Michael Ritz and the
amendments to the employment agreements with the Other Executive Officers
are as
follows:
· |
Term.
The term of the employment agreement with Michael Ritz is effective
as of
May 7, 2007 and will expire on December 31, 2010. The amendments to
the Other Executive Officers’ employment agreements extend the term of
their agreements until December 31, 2010. Previously, the employment
agreements for the Other Executive Officers had a term that commenced
in
2004 and expired on December 31, 2007 (the “2004 Employment
Agreements”).
|
· |
Annual
Base Salary.
The annual base salary set forth in the employment agreement with
Mr.
Ritz, effective May 7, 2007, and in each of the employment agreements
with
the Other Executive Officers, effective as of January 1, 2007 is
as
follows:
|
Name Annual
Base Salary
Pickett $530,500
Booth
$326,500
Stephenson
$262,700
Crabill
$253,400
Ritz
$175,000
· |
Annual
Bonus.
The employment agreement with Mr. Ritz and the employment agreements
with
the Other Executive Officers, as amended, provide that each officer
shall
be entitled to receive up to a specified percentage of his annual
base
salary, determined in the discretion of the compensation committee
of our
board of directors. The percentages for the Other Executive Officers
remain the same as set forth in the 2004 Employment Agreements. The
maximum annual bonus percentages for each officer are currently as
follows:
|
Name Percentage
Pickett
100%
Booth
50%
Stephenson
50%
Crabill
50%
Ritz
35%,
plus, for 2007 only, a guaranteed bonus of $40,000;
provided
that the bonus opportunities for 2007, as specified in separate letters to
the
Other Executive Officers are:
Name
Percentage
Pickett 125%
Booth
75%
Stephenson
60%
Crabill
60%
Each
officer will be eligible for a prorated bonus if the officer’s employment is
terminated during the year due to death. Otherwise, the officer will be eligible
for a bonus only if the officer is employed by us on the date the bonus is
paid,
except that if the term of employment is not extended beyond December 31,
2010,
the officer will be eligible for a bonus for 2010 if he is employed by us
on
December 31, 2010.
· |
Severance.
The employment agreement with Mr. Ritz provides that if Mr. Ritz’s
employment is terminated by us without cause (as defined in the employment
agreement) or he terminates his employment for good reason (as defined
in
the employment agreement), the Company will pay him cash compensation
equal to the sum of annual base salary plus average annual bonus
payable
for the three completed fiscal years prior to his termination. Such
payments will be made in installments over one year following his
termination of employment. Payment of severance is contingent on
Mr. Ritz
providing a comprehensive release to us. Severance will not be paid
if the
term of the employment agreement expires, if he terminates employment
upon
or following expiration of the term of the employment agreement,
or if his
employment is terminated by us for cause.
|
The
severance benefit for the Other Executive Officers remains the same as set
forth
in the 2004 Employment Agreements, except that the provision for the Company
to
pay a gross-up for the excise tax associated with parachute payments in
connection with a change in control have been eliminated. Under the amendments
to the employment agreements for the Other Executive Officers and Mr. Ritz’s
employment agreement, if any payments would be subject to the excise tax
associated with parachute payments in connection with a change in control,
the
severance payments (and any other payments or benefits) under any other
agreements will be reduced to the maximum amount that can be paid without
incurring an excise tax, but only if that would result in the officer retaining
a larger after-tax amount.
· |
Non-compete/Non-solicitation.
During the period of employment and for one year thereafter, the
employment agreement with Mr. Ritz and the employment agreements
with the
Other Executive Officers, as amended, provide that each officer is
obligated not to provide managerial services or management consulting
services substantially similar to those the officer provides for
the
Company to any business that competes with us. In addition, the officer
is
prohibited during the term of the employment agreement and for one
year
thereafter from soliciting clients with whom he had material contact
to
offer services substantially similar to those offered by the Company
or to
solicit management level or key executives of our Company to other
employers. If the officer remains employed by us through December
31,
2010, the term expires at December 31, 2010, and as a result, there
is no
severance payable, then the non-compete and non-solicitation provisions
shall also expire at December 31, 2010.
|
Restricted
Stock Awards. On
May 7,
2007, we granted restricted stock awards to Messrs. Pickett, Booth,
Stephenson, Crabill and Ritz. The form of restricted stock award has been
attached to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.6 and the following
summary is qualified entirely by reference thereto. The restricted stock
awards
are granted under the Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive
Plan.
· |
Number
of Shares.
The number of shares of restricted common stock issued to each of
the
officers under the restricted stock awards are as
follows:
|
Name
Shares
Pickett
114,394
Booth
68,520
Stephenson
47,292
Crabill
42,225
Ritz
14,477
· |
Vesting.
Each restricted stock award vests one-seventh on December 31, 2007
and
two-sevenths on each of December 31, 2008, December 31, 2009, and
December
31, 2010, subject to continued employment on the vesting date. In
addition, all restricted stock vests upon the officer’s death, disability,
termination of employment by us without cause (as defined in the
employment agreement), or if the officer voluntary quits for good
reason
(as defined in the employment agreement).
|
· |
Dividends.
Dividends are paid currently on unvested and vested shares. If unvested
shares are forfeited, dividends that are paid after the date of the
forfeiture are not paid on these shares.
|
Performance
Restricted Stock Unit Awards. On
May 7,
2007, we also awarded two types of performance restricted stock units (“PRSUs”)
to Messrs. Pickett, Booth, Stephenson, Crabill and Ritz. The two types of
PRSU
awards differ in the manner in which each award vests, as described below
in
greater detail. There is a separate form of performance restricted stock
unit
award for each type of PRSU. Both forms have been attached to this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.7 and 10.8, and the following summary is
qualified entirely by reference thereto. The PRSUs are granted under the
Omega
Healthcare Investors, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.
· Number
of Units.
The
number of restricted stock units issued to each of the officers under the
performance restricted stock awards are as follows:
Name
Units
with Units
with
Annual Vesting
Three
Year Vesting
Pickett 49,026 49,026
Booth
29,366 29,366
Stephenson
20,268 20,268
Crabill 18,097 18,097
Ritz
7,239
7,239
· Vesting
for Both Types of Awards Based on Total Shareholder Return.
The
first PRSUs grant is subject to ratable annual vesting one-third per year
based
on achievement of “Total Shareholder Return” (as described below) of 11%
annualized through the applicable vesting date. The second PRSUs grant vests
100% at the end of three years based on a cumulative achievement of a Total
Shareholder Return of 11%. Total Shareholder Return is determined by reference
to the total aggregate increase in the stock price per share over the applicable
performance period plus dividends per share paid during the performance period.
In calculating Total Shareholder Return, the beginning of the performance
period
stock value will be based on the twenty day trailing average closing price
prior
to May 7, 2007, and the end of the performance period stock value will normally
be based on the twenty day trailing average closing price as of the last
day of
the performance period.
· Mechanics
of Annual Vesting.
The
PRSUs with annual vesting vest at the rate of one-third on each of December
31,
2008, December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2010, but only if the Company has
achieved a Total Shareholder Return on an annualized basis of at least 11%,
compounded as of each December 31, for the period commencing on May 7, 2007
and
ending on the applicable vesting date. The officer may catch-up on vesting
that
does not occur in a given year because of a missed hurdle if an 11% annualized
cumulative Total Shareholder Return is achieved from May 7, 2007 through
December 31, 2010.
· Mechanics
of Three Year Vesting.
The
Company must achieve Total Shareholder Return of 11% per year compounded
in the
same manner as described above for the PRSUs with annual vesting over the
period
from May 7, 2007 through December 31, 2010 for the PRSUs to vest.
· Termination
of Employment.
In the
event of the officer’s death, disability, termination of employment by the
Company without cause, or voluntary resignation for good reason, the performance
period for measuring Total Shareholder Return will end. If the Company has
achieved a Total Shareholder Return of 11% per year compounded annually from
May
7, 2007 through the date the performance period is so ended, all the unforfeited
PRSUs will then vest. If the Total Shareholder Return goal has not been
satisfied as of such date, the PRSUs will be forfeited.
· Change
in Control.
If a
change in control occurs before December 31, 2010, then the performance period
for determining whether the Total Shareholder Return hurdle of 11%, annualized,
has been achieved will end on the change in control date. The officer must
be
employed on the applicable vesting date for each type of PRSU award set forth
above to vest. If the Company’s stock is bought for cash in the change in
control, the PRSUs will be converted to a cash obligation, which will grow
by
the annual dividend yield of the Company for the last four quarters as of
the
date of the change in control until the date the shares attributable to vested
PRSUs are distributable.
· Dividend
Equivalents.
Dividend equivalents based on dividends paid to shareholders during the
applicable performance period accrue on unvested and vested PRSUs. Unpaid
dividend equivalents accrue interest at a quarterly rate of interest equal
to
the Company’s average borrowing rate for the preceding quarter. Accrued dividend
equivalents plus interest are paid to the officer at the date the shares
attributable to vested PRSUs are distributable.
· Distribution
of Shares.
Shares
attributable to vested PRSUs are distributable upon the earliest of January
2,
2011, the officer’s death or disability, or termination of the officer’s
employment by the Company without cause or resignation by the officer for
good
reason. However, the distribution of shares attributable to PRSUs with annual
vesting will be delayed for six months after any termination of the officer’s
employment by the Company for cause or his resignation for good reason to
the
extent required to comply with 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Item
6 -
Exhibits
Exhibit
No.
|
|
Description
|
3.1
|
|
First
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Omega Healthcare
Investors, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2007).
|
10.1
|
|
Employment
Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, between Omega Healthcare Investors,
Inc. and
Michael Ritz.
|
10.2
|
|
Amendment
to the Employment Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, between Omega Healthcare
Investors, Inc. and C. Taylor Pickett.
|
10.3
|
|
Amendment
to the Employment Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, between Omega Healthcare
Investors, Inc. and Daniel J. Booth.
|
10.4
|
|
Amendment
to the Employment Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, between Omega Healthcare
Investors, Inc. and R. Lee Crabill.
|
10.5
|
|
Amendment
to the Employment Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, between Omega Healthcare
Investors, Inc. and Robert O. Stephenson.
|
10.6
|
|
Form
of Restricted Stock Award.
|
10.7
|
|
Form
of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement - annual
vesting.
|
10.8
|
|
Form
of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement - cliff
vesting.
|
31.1
|
|
Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive
Officer.
|
31.2
|
|
Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial
Officer.
|
32.1
|
|
Section
1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
|
32.2
|
|
Section
1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
OMEGA
HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
Registrant
Date:
May 8,
2007 By: /S/
C.
TAYLOR PICKETT
C.
Taylor
Pickett
Chief
Executive
Officer
Date: May
8,
2007 By: /S/
ROBERT O. STEPHENSON
Robert
O.
Stephenson
Chief
Financial
Officer