HEALTH CARE REIT INC /DE/
424B2, 1997-10-24
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>   1
                                            Filed Pursuant To Rule 424(b)(2)
                                            Registration No. 333-19801

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 4, 1997)
 
                                2,000,000 SHARES
 
                             Health Care REIT Logo
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                               ------------------
 
     The shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") of Health Care REIT, Inc. (the
"Company") are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol
"HCN." On October 23, 1997, the last reported sale price of the Shares on the
NYSE was $26.75 per share. The Company pays regular quarterly distributions. See
"Price Range of Shares and Distribution History."
 
                               ------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
         PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================
                                           PRICE                                   PROCEEDS
                                            TO                                        TO
                                          PUBLIC            UNDERWRITING          COMPANY(2)
                                                            DISCOUNTS AND
                                                           COMMISSIONS(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Share..........................        $26.625             $1.175               $25.45
- -----------------------------------
Total(3)...........................      $53,250,000         $2,350,000           $50,900,000
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. See
    "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting expenses of the offering estimated at $100,000.
 
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to
    300,000 additional Shares solely to cover over-allotments, if any. To the
    extent the option is exercised, the Underwriter will offer the additional
    Shares at the Price to Public shown above. If the option is exercised in
    full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions, and
    Proceeds to Company will be $61,237,500, $2,702,500 and $58,535,000,
    respectively. See "Underwriting."
 
                               ------------------
 
     The Shares are offered by the Underwriter, subject to prior sale, when, as
and if delivered to and accepted by it, and subject to the right of the
Underwriter to reject any order in whole or in part, and to certain other
conditions. It is expected that delivery of the Shares will be made at the
offices of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland on or about October
29, 1997.
 
                                 BT ALEX. BROWN
 
           THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS OCTOBER 24, 1997
<PAGE>   2
 
                                   PROPERTIES
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the facilities
that comprise the Company's investments as of June 30, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER OF      NUMBER OF          TOTAL          ANNUALIZED
                 FACILITY LOCATION              FACILITIES     BEDS/UNITS     INVESTMENT(1)      INCOME(2)
      ---------------------------------------   ---------      ---------      -------------      ----------
                                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
      <S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>                <C>
      NURSING FACILITIES:
        Arizona..............................        3              351           17,037            2,015
        California...........................        1              122            3,886              446
        Colorado.............................        1              180            6,324              668
        Connecticut..........................        8            1,208           39,762            4,593
        Florida..............................        3              420            9,298            1,083
        Idaho................................        3              404           20,673            2,228
        Indiana..............................        1               50            1,151              168
        Kentucky.............................        1               92            4,549              514
        Massachusetts........................       11            1,658           69,636            7,344
        Michigan.............................        2              250            4,777              581
        Missouri.............................        3              320           11,173            1,236
        New York.............................        1              200            7,421              807
        Ohio.................................        7              762           28,282            3,285
        Oregon...............................        1              121            5,820              636
        Pennsylvania.........................        2              287           13,001            1,613
        Texas................................        7            1,120           20,470            2,305
        West Virginia........................        1               65            1,285              224
                                                   ---           ------          -------           ------
          Total Nursing......................       56            7,610          264,545           29,746
      ASSISTED LIVING:
        Alabama..............................        1               71            3,208              339
        Florida..............................        9              590           31,145            3,291
        Massachusetts........................        1              131           11,370            1,124
        Maryland.............................        2              151            8,972              987
        New Jersey...........................        1              314           22,597            2,329
        New Mexico...........................        2              159            8,085              882
        New York.............................        5              606           42,234            4,392
        North Carolina.......................        9              424           24,467            2,631
        Ohio.................................        4              327           18,173            1,877
        Oklahoma.............................       17              577           25,630            2,688
        Pennsylvania.........................        5              541           37,094            4,077
        Texas................................       22            1,441           80,221            8,606
        Virginia.............................        4              245            9,489            1,141
                                                   ---           ------          -------           ------
          Total Assisted Living..............       82            5,577          322,685           34,364
      RETIREMENT CENTERS:
        Arizona..............................        1              164            2,409              301
        California...........................        1               92            2,409              301
        Illinois.............................        2              320           13,034              536
        Indiana..............................        1               61            1,936              206
        Missouri.............................        1              195            5,137              655
        New Mexico...........................        1              150            8,397              368
        North Carolina.......................        2              159           17,500            1,845
        Ohio.................................        2              200            3,250               68
        Texas................................        1               58            4,536              480
                                                   ---           ------          -------           ------
          Total Retirement Centers...........       12            1,399           58,608            4,760
      SPECIALTY CARE:
        Arkansas.............................        1              117           29,000            3,347
        California...........................        2              416           32,270            3,800
        Minnesota............................        1                0              604               75
        Texas................................        1               70           13,750            1,431
        Washington D.C. .....................        1              110           17,204            1,992
                                                   ---           ------          -------           ------
          Total Specialty Care...............        6              713           92,828           10,645
      BEHAVIORAL CARE:
        Florida..............................        2              294            6,473                0
                                                   ---           ------          -------           ------
          Total Behavioral Care..............        2              294            6,473                0
                                                   ---           ------          -------           ------
          TOTAL ALL FACILITIES:..............      158           15,593          745,139           79,515
                                                   ===           ======          =======           ======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Reflects gross investment plus unfunded commitments for which funding has
    commenced less specified allowance for losses.
 
(2) Reflects contract rate of annual base rent or interest received or to be
    received upon completion of funding.
                            ------------------------
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING STABILIZING AND SYNDICATE COVERING TRANSACTIONS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF
THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Health Care REIT, Inc. (the "Company") is a self-administered real estate
investment trust that invests in health care facilities, primarily nursing
homes, assisted living facilities and retirement centers. The Company also
invests in specialty care facilities. As of June 30, 1997, nursing homes,
assisted living facilities and retirement centers comprised approximately 84% of
the investment portfolio. Founded in 1970, the Company was the first real estate
investment trust to invest exclusively in health care facilities.
 
     As of June 30, 1997, the Company had $655,984,000 of real estate
investments, including credit enhancements, in 158 facilities located in 28
states and managed by 49 different operators. At that date, the portfolio
included 56 nursing homes, 82 assisted living facilities, 12 retirement centers,
six specialty care facilities and two behavioral facilities. At June 30, 1997,
the Company had approximately $238,819,000 in unfunded commitments.
 
     The Company seeks to increase funds from operations and enhance shareholder
value through relationship investing with public and emerging health care
chains. The primary components of this strategy are set forth below.
 
     Relationship Investing. The Company establishes relationships with emerging
health care companies and seeks to provide financing throughout their growth
cycles. The Company targets companies with experienced management teams,
substantial inside ownership interests, venture capital backing and significant
growth potential.
 
     By maintaining close ties to health care operators, the Company is able to
provide value added services and monitor its investments on an ongoing basis.
Investments are designed to support the operator's business plan. Features
typically include a two to three year, multi-facility financing with common
terms and maturities, and periodic review of the program's continued efficacy.
Economic terms typically include annual rate increases and fair market value
based purchase options in operating leases, and may include contingent interest
for mortgage loans. For certain investments, the Company receives warrants or
other similar equity instruments that provide the Company with the opportunity
to share in the operator's enterprise value. In connection with the Company's
initial investment in Sterling House Corporation in June 1994, the Company
received warrants that were converted into 87,823 shares of Sterling House
Corporation stock at the time of its initial public offering. As of June 30,
1997, the Sterling House Corporation shares were recorded on the Company's
balance sheet at a value of $1,438,000.
 
     By maintaining relationships within the health care venture capital
community, management identifies potential new investment opportunities. In
turn, because of management's experience, knowledge and contacts within various
sectors of the health care industry, they are able to assist venture capital
firms in identifying new portfolio company investment opportunities.
 
     Portfolio Management. Portfolio strength is derived from diversity by
investment type, health care sector, operator and geographic location. The
Company emphasizes investment structures that result in a predictable asset base
with attendant recurring income and funds from operations. Generally, operating
leases extend for a minimum ten-year period and mortgage loans provide five to
seven years of prepayment protection. Portfolio strength is also evidenced by an
operator base that includes an increasing percentage of public companies and
emerging privately held health care chains. At June 30, 1997, approximately 36%
of the Company's real estate investments were with publicly held companies.
 
     In addition, the Company believes that the portfolio has been strengthened
by management's ability to identify early trends in the health care sector. In
1991, the Company initiated a review and analysis of the assisted living
industry and made its first investment in this sector in 1992. The Company's
investment portfolio currently includes such leading assisted living operators
as Alternative Living Services, Inc., ARV Assisted Living, Inc., Atria
Communities, Inc., CareMatrix Corporation, Emeritus Corporation, Kapson Senior
Quarters and Sterling House Corporation.
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
     Depth of Management. The management team is comprised of six individuals
who have an aggregate of over 80 years of experience in health care real estate
finance. George L. Chapman has been a member of senior management for over five
years and in 1996 became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Mr. Chapman and the management team have successfully implemented the Company's
investment strategy of emphasizing relationship financings with established and
emerging health care operators. This strategy has resulted in gross investments
of over $700,000,000 during the past five years.
 
THE PORTFOLIO
 
     The following table reflects the Company's portfolio as of June 30, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NUMBER
                                     PERCENTAGE      NUMBER        OF      INVESTMENT     NUMBER       NUMBER
      TYPE OF       INVESTMENTS          OF            OF        BEDS/      PER BED/        OF           OF
     FACILITY        (1)(2)(3)       PORTFOLIO     FACILITIES    UNITS      UNIT(4)      OPERATORS    STATES(5)
- ------------------ --------------    ----------    ----------    ------    ----------    ---------    ---------
                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                <C>               <C>           <C>           <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>
Nursing Homes......    $253,341           39%           56       7,610      $ 34,763         25           17
Assisted Living
  Facilities.......     246,521           37            82       5,577        57,860         16           13
Retirement
  Centers..........      50,821            8            12       1,399        41,893          7            9
Specialty Care
  Facilities.......      92,828           14             6         713       130,194          3            5
Behavioral Care
  Facilities.......      12,473            2             2         294        42,425          1            1
                       --------          ---           ---       ------
  Totals...........    $655,984          100%          158       15,593
                       ========          ===           ===       ======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Investments include real estate investments and credit enhancements which
    amounted to $637,169,000 and $18,815,000, respectively.
 
(2) Investments do not include $95,155,000 in unfunded commitments for which
    initial funding has commenced and $143,664,000 in commitments for financings
    for which the Company has not yet commenced funding.
 
(3) Due to a number of factors, it is possible that some portion of the
    commitments for financings will not result in permanent financing.
 
(4) Investment Per Bed/Unit was computed by using the total investment amount of
    $751,139,000 which is composed of $637,169,000 in real estate related
    investments, $95,155,000 in unfunded commitments for which initial funding
    has commenced, and $18,815,000 in credit enhancements.
 
(5) The Company has investments in properties located in 28 states.
 
     From December 31, 1996, to June 30, 1997, the Company's net real estate
investments increased 22%, to $627,082,000 from $512,894,000. During the same
period, operating leases increased 38%, to $211,638,000 from $153,623,000, and
mortgage and construction loans increased 15%, to $407,451,000 from
$353,455,000. The Company provides construction financing in conjunction with
permanent financing.
 
     In determining whether to finance a facility, the Company places primary
emphasis on the experience of the operator, the feasibility of the project, the
financial strength of the borrower or lessee, the amount of security available
to support the financing and the amount of capital that is being committed to
the project by the borrower or lessee. In addition, the Company considers a
variety of other factors, including the site's suitability, facility appraisal
and environmental reports and the existence of certificate of need procedures or
other barriers that limit the entry of competing facilities into the community.
 
     The Company regularly monitors its investments through a variety of methods
depending on the operator and type of facility. These procedures include the
receipt and review of facility and
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   5
 
guarantor financial statements, periodic site visits, property reviews and
conferences with operators. Such reviews of operators and facilities generally
encompass licensure and regulatory compliance materials and reports,
contemplated building improvements and other material developments.
 
     Investments are typically structured using mortgage loans or operating
leases which are normally secured by guarantees and/or letters of credit. The
Company typically finances up to 90% of the appraised value of the property.
 
     The Company's executive offices are located at One SeaGate, Suite 1500,
Toledo, Ohio, 43604, and the telephone number is (419) 247-2800.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On October 21, 1997, the Company announced that the Board of Directors
voted to increase the quarterly dividend payable November 20, 1997, to $0.535
per share, as compared with $0.52 per share for the same period in 1996. The
dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of November 3, 1997.
 
     On October 22, 1997, the Company announced financial results for the three
and nine month periods ended September 30, 1997. As reported, net income for the
third quarter of 1997 totaled $11,773,000, or $0.53 per share, on revenue of
$18,559,000, as compared with net income of $7,383,000, or $0.50 per share, on
revenue of $14,068,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1996. Net income
for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997, totaled $33,527,000, or
$1.59 per share, on revenue of $53,576,000, as compared with net income of
$21,629,000, or $1.62 per share, on revenue of $39,584,000 for the same period
in 1996.
 
     The growth in revenue and net income for the three and nine month periods
ended September 30, 1997, was offset by prepayment fees and gains on the
exercise of purchase options earned during the second and third quarters of
1996, which totaled $2,117,000 and $844,000 respectively, as compared with
$477,000 for the second quarter of 1997. There were no such prepayment fees or
gains during the third quarter of 1997.
 
     Investment activity for the three and nine month periods ended September
30, 1997, totaled $54,110,000 and $185,244,000 respectively. Year to date
investment activity contributed to a 45.5% increase in total assets, which at
September 30, 1997, totaled $686,635,000 as compared with total assets of
$471,878,000 at September 30, 1996.
 
     Also, on October 22, 1997, the Company announced that Jeffrey H. Donahue, a
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Rouse Company, had been
appointed a director of the Company.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds from the sale of the 2,000,000 Shares offered hereby are
estimated to be approximately $50.8 million ($58.4 million if the Underwriter's
over-allotment option is exercised in full). The proceeds will be used to invest
in additional health care property investments. Pending such use, the proceeds
will be used primarily to repay borrowings under the Company's revolving lines
of credit arrangements, which had an outstanding balance of $85.6 million at
September 30, 1997.
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   6
 
                 PRICE RANGE OF SHARES AND DISTRIBUTION HISTORY
 
     Shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Shares") are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "HCN." As of October 22, 1997,
there were approximately 5,768 holders of record of the Shares. The following
table sets forth for the periods shown the high and low sale prices for the
Shares as reported on the NYSE composite tape and the distributions paid by the
Company during the periods shown. On October 23, 1997, the last reported sale
price of the shares as reported by the NYSE was $26.75 per Share.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PRICE OF
                                           SHARES
                                         -----------     DISTRIBUTIONS
                                         HIGH    LOW      PER SHARE
                                         ---     ---     ------------
<S>                                      <C>     <C>     <C>
1995
  First Quarter......................    $22 3/8 $19 7/8    $0.515
  Second Quarter.....................     23 1/8  20 3/8      0.52
  Third Quarter......................     21 1/2  15 1/2      0.52
  Fourth Quarter.....................     19 1/8  15 3/4      0.52
1996
  First Quarter......................    $22 5/8 $17 7/8    $ 0.52
  Second Quarter.....................     23      20 1/2      0.52
  Third Quarter......................     23 1/4  20 7/8      0.52
  Fourth Quarter.....................     25 1/8  23          0.52
1997
  First Quarter......................     25 1/2  23 5/8      0.52
  Second Quarter.....................     25      22 1/4     0.525
  Third Quarter......................     27 5/8  24 1/4      0.53
  Fourth Quarter
     (through October 23)............     27 7/8  26 3/4         *
</TABLE>
 
* On October 21, 1997, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had
  voted to increase the Company's quarterly dividend to $0.535 per share. The
  new annualized dividend rate is $2.14. The next quarterly dividend to be paid
  to shareholders of record as of November 3, 1997 will be paid on November 20,
  1997 and will represent the 106th consecutive quarterly dividend of the
  Company.
 
     Under the real estate investment trust rules of the Internal Revenue Code,
the Company is required to pay at least 95% of its ordinary taxable income as
dividends in order to avoid taxation as a corporation. The declaration of
dividends is discretionary with the Board of Directors and depends upon the
Company's distributable funds, financial requirements, tax considerations and
other factors. Decisions with respect to the distribution of capital gains are
made on a case-by-case basis. A portion of the Company's dividends paid may be
deemed either capital gain income or a return of capital, or both, to its
shareholders. The Company annually provides its shareholders a statement as to
its designation of the taxability of its dividends.
 
     The Company has a dividend reinvestment plan under which shareholders of
record may invest all or a portion of their dividends and up to an additional
$5,000 per quarter to purchase additional shares.
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   7
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of June
30, 1997 as adjusted to give effect to the sale of the Shares offered hereby at
a public offering price of $26.625.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                      -------------------------
                                                                       ACTUAL       AS ADJUSTED
                                                                      --------      -----------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                   <C>           <C>
Borrowings under line of credit arrangements(1)....................   $ 44,600       $       0
1993 Senior Notes..................................................     52,000          52,000
1996 Senior Notes..................................................     30,000          30,000
1997 Senior Notes..................................................     80,000          80,000
Other long-term obligations........................................     10,073          10,073
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value; Authorized -- 10,000,000
     shares; Issued and outstanding -- none
  Common Stock, $1.00 par value; Authorized -- 40,000,000 shares;
     Issued and outstanding -- 22,042,468 and 24,042,468 as
     adjusted(2)...................................................     22,042          24,042
  Capital in excess of par value...................................    379,866         428,666
  Undistributed net income.........................................      8,724           8,724
  Unrealized gains on investment securities available for sale.....      1,438           1,438
  Unamortized restricted stock.....................................     (2,608)         (2,608)
                                                                      --------        --------
Total shareholders' equity.........................................    409,462         460,262
                                                                      --------        --------
Total capitalization...............................................   $626,135       $ 632,335
                                                                      ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The Company has a $175,000,000 unsecured line of credit arrangement with a
    consortium of 12 banks and a $10,000,000 unsecured line of credit with one
    other bank. At September 30, 1997, the Company had an outstanding balance of
    $85.6 million under its line of credit arrangements.
 
(2) Excludes: (i) 125,268 Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's
    1985 Incentive Stock Option Plan; (ii) 1,893,015 Shares reserved for
    issuance pursuant to the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan; and (iii)
    969,362 Shares reserved for issuance under the Company's dividend
    reinvestment plan.
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   8
 
                         SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following selected financial data for the five years ended December 31,
1996 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Health
Care REIT, Inc. The financial data for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and
1996 are derived from unaudited financial statements. The unaudited financial
statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals,
which the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
position and the results of operations for these periods. Operating results for
the six months ended June 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 1997. The data
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements,
related notes, and other financial information incorporated by reference herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               SIX MONTHS
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        ENDED JUNE 30
                              --------------------------------------------------------    --------------------
                                1992        1993        1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                              --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
OPERATING DATA
Revenues....................  $ 28,908    $ 36,018    $ 42,732    $ 44,596    $ 54,402    $ 25,515    $ 35,017
Expenses:
  Interest expense..........     8,160      10,817       9,684      12,752      14,635       7,560       7,763
  Provision for
    depreciation............       382         790       1,385       1,580       2,427       1,030       2,461
  General and administrative
   expenses(1)..............     3,851       4,356       6,710      10,835       6,664       2,679       3,039
  Settlement of management
   contract(2)..............        --          --          --       5,794          --          --          --
                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Total expenses..............    12,393      15,963      17,779      30,961      23,726      11,269      13,263
                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Net income..................  $ 16,515    $ 20,055    $ 24,953    $ 13,635    $ 30,676    $ 14,246    $ 21,754
                               =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
 
OTHER DATA
Average number of shares
  outstanding...............     8,629       9,339      11,519      11,710      14,093      12,555      20,638
Cash available for
  distribution(3)...........  $ 18,654    $ 22,780    $ 31,697    $ 27,938    $ 37,075    $ 16,575    $ 25,501
 
PER SHARE
Net income..................     $1.91       $2.15       $2.17       $1.16       $2.18      $1.130      $1.050
Cash distributions..........     $1.85       $1.93       $2.01      $2.075       $2.08      $1.040      $1.045
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Real estate investments,
  net.......................  $223,126    $276,858    $318,433    $351,924    $512,894    $426,714    $627,082
Total assets................   226,207     285,024     324,102     358,092     519,831     434,477     637,595
Total debt..................   103,719      96,311     128,273     162,760     184,395     184,671     216,673
Total liabilities...........   107,259     100,892     134,922     170,494     194,295     194,181     228,133
Total shareholders'
  equity....................   118,948     184,132     189,180     187,598     325,536     240,297     409,462
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) General and administrative expenses include loan expense, management fees
    through November 30, 1995, provision for losses, expenses related to
    disposition of investments and other operating expenses.
 
(2) On November 30, 1995, the Company's advisor merged into the Company.
    Consideration for this transaction totaled approximately $5,048,000 which
    was solely comprised of 282,407 shares of Common Stock. In addition, the
    Company acquired approximately $46,000 in net assets and incurred
    approximately $792,000 of related transaction expenses. The consideration,
    plus related transaction expenses, were accounted for as a settlement of a
    management contract.
 
(3) Cash available for distribution is defined as net cash provided from
    operating activities, but does not consider the effects of changes in
    operating assets and liabilities such as other receivables and accrued
    expenses. The Company uses cash available for distribution in evaluating
    investments and the Company's operating performance. Cash available for
    distribution does not represent cash generated from operating activities in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, is not necessarily
    indicative of cash available to fund cash needs, and should not be
    considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company's
    operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow as a measure of
    liquidity.
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   9
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     At June 30, 1997, the Company's net real estate investments totaled
approximately $627,082,000, which included 56 skilled nursing facilities, 82
assisted living facilities, 12 retirement centers, six specialty care facilities
and two behavioral care facilities. The Company funds its investments through a
combination of long-term and short-term financing, utilizing both debt and
equity.
 
     As of June 30, 1997, the Company had shareholders' equity of $409,462,000
and a total outstanding debt balance of $216,673,000, which represents a debt to
equity ratio of 0.53 to 1.0.
 
     In January 1997, in connection with the underwriters' exercise of an over
allotment option associated with the Company's December 18, 1996 offering of
2,200,000 shares of common stock, the Company issued 330,000 shares of Common
Stock, $1.00 par value per share, at the price of $23.875 per share, which
generated net proceeds of $7,485,000 to the Company.
 
     During the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Company issued 3,150,000
shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, at the price of $24.375 per
share, which generated net proceeds to the Company of $72,261,000.
 
     In April 1997, the Company completed the sale of $80 million of Senior
Unsecured Notes. The Company priced $20 million of notes due 2000, $20 million
of notes due 2002 and $40 million of notes due 2004. The notes have a weighted
average interest rate of 7.91%.
 
     During the six months ended June 30, 1997, the proceeds derived from the
Company's capital raising activities were used to reduce bank debt under the
Company's revolving lines of credit arrangements.
 
     In March 1997, the Company closed a $175 million unsecured credit facility
which replaced the Company's then existing secured credit facility. Simultaneous
with the closing of the new credit facility, all senior noteholders released
collateral which had served as security for the Company's then outstanding $82
million of senior indebtedness.
 
     As of June 30, 1997, the Company had approximately $238,819,000 in unfunded
commitments. Under the Company's line of credit arrangements, available funding
totaled $140,400,000. The Company believes its liquidity and various sources of
available capital are sufficient to fund operations, finance future investments,
and meet debt service and dividend requirements.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 1997, were $18,448,000 as
compared with $14,625,000 for the three months ended June 30, 1996. Revenue
growth resulted primarily from increased interest income of $2,323,000 and
increased operating lease income of $3,197,000 as a result of additional real
estate investments made during the past twelve months.
 
     Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1997 were $35,017,000 as
compared with $25,515,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1996, an increase of
$9,502,000 or 37%. Revenue growth resulted primarily from increased interest
income of $4,835,000 and increased operating lease income of $6,199,000 as a
result of additional real estate investments made during the past twelve months.
 
     The growth in interest and rental income for the three and six month
periods ended June 30, 1997 was offset by a high incidence of prepayment fees
and gains on the exercise of purchase options earned during the second quarter
of 1996, which totaled $2,117,000 as compared to $477,000 for the same period in
1997.
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   10
 
     Expenses for the three months ended June 30, 1997 totaled $6,520,000, an
increase of $464,000 from expenses of $6,056,000 for the same period in 1996.
The increase in total expenses was primarily related to additional expense
associated with the provision for depreciation, which was offset by a decrease
in interest expense.
 
     Expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1997 totaled $13,263,000, an
increase of $1,994,000 from expenses of $11,269,000 for the same period in 1996.
The increase in total expenses was primarily related to an increase in interest
expense, additional expense associated with the provision for depreciation and
an increase in general and administrative expenses.
 
     Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 1997 was $3,752,000 as
compared with $4,049,000 for the same period in 1996. The decrease in the 1997
period was primarily due to lower average borrowings under the Company's lines
of credit arrangements, which was offset by the issuance of $80,000,000 Senior
Unsecured Notes in April 1997.
 
     Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 1997 was $7,763,000 as
compared with $7,560,000 for the same period in 1996. The increase in the 1997
period was primarily due to the issuance of $80,000,000 Senior Unsecured Notes
in April 1997.
 
     The provision for depreciation for the three and six month periods ended
June 30, 1997 totaled $1,276,000 and $2,461,000 respectively, an increase of
$721,000 and $1,431,000 over the comparable periods in 1996 as a result of
additional investments in properties owned directly by the Company.
 
     General and administrative expense for the three and six month periods
ended June 30, 1997 totaled $1,181,000 and $2,361,000 respectively, as compared
with $1,100,000 and $1,990,000 for the same periods in 1996. The expenses for
the three and six month periods in 1997 were 6.40% and 6.74% of revenues as
compared with 7.52% and 7.80% for the same periods in 1996.
 
     As a result of the various factors mentioned above, net income for the
three and six month periods ended June 30, 1997 was $11,928,000, or $0.54 per
share, and $21,754,000, or $1.05 per share, respectively, as compared with
$8,569,000, or $0.66 per share, and $14,246,000, or $1.13 per share, for the
comparable periods in 1996. Net income for the three months ended June 30, 1996
included $2,117,000, or $0.16 per share, of prepayment fees and gains on the
exercise of purchase options, as compared with $477,000, or $0.02 per share, for
the same period in 1997.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS DECEMBER 31, 1996 VS. DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996, were $54,402,000 compared to
$44,596,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, an increase of $9,806,000 or
22%. Revenue growth resulted primarily from increased interest income of
$5,457,000, operating lease income of $3,496,000 and loan and commitment fees of
$941,000 resulting primarily from additional real estate investments made during
the past twelve to fifteen months.
 
     Expenses for the year ended December 31, 1996, totaled $23,726,000, a
decrease of $7,235,000 from expenses of $30,961,000 for the year ended December
31, 1995. Expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995, were negatively
influenced by nonrecurring charges, primarily related to a $4,800,000 provision
for losses and a $5,794,000 charge for the settlement of the management
contract, an expense associated with the merger of the Company's advisor into
the Company.
 
     The provision for depreciation for the year ended December 31, 1996,
totaled $2,427,000, an increase of $848,000 over the year ended 1995 as a result
of additional operating lease investments.
 
     Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1996, was $14,635,000
compared to $12,752,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase in
interest expense during 1996 was primarily due to the issuance of $30,000,000
Senior Notes in April 1996 and higher average borrowings under the Company's
line of credit arrangements, which were offset by lower interest rates.
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   11
 
     General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 1996
totaled $4,448,000 as compared to $5,284,000 for the year ended December 31,
1995. The expenses for the year ended December 31, 1996 were 8.18% of revenues
as compared to 11.85% for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
     It is the Company's intention to systematically eliminate its investments
in behavioral care facilities. As a result, at September 30, 1996, the Company
declared a disposition of investment associated with its behavioral care
portfolio. As a result, any gains realized through the repayment or sale of
investments associated with the Company's behavioral care facilities will be
added to the Company's general allowance for losses and applied against any
losses incurred through the repayment or sale of behavioral care related
investments. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company recorded an
$808,000 disposition of investment expense as an offset to an $808,000
prepayment fee received from the repayment of two behavioral care related
mortgage loans. Additionally, the Company's general allowance for losses was
reduced by $481,000, resulting from the repayment of these loans.
 
     As a result of the various factors mentioned above, net income for the year
ended December 31, 1996, was $30,676,000 as compared to $13,635,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1995. Net income per share for the year ended December 31,
1996, was $2.18 versus $1.16 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The per share
increase resulted from an increase in net income offset by an increase in
average shares outstanding during 1996.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS DECEMBER 31, 1995 VS. DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995, were $44,596,000 compared to
$42,732,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, an increase of $1,864,000 or
4.4%. Revenue growth resulted primarily from increased interest income of
$6,731,000 and increased operating lease income of $872,000 resulting primarily
from additional real estate investments made during the previous twelve months.
The growth in interest income and rental income was offset by a high incidence
of prepayment fees and gains on the exercise of purchase options earned during
1994, which totaled $6,982,000 as compared to $4,082,000 for 1995.
 
     Expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995, totaled $30,961,000, an
increase of $13,182,000 from expenses of $17,779,000 for the year ended December
31, 1994. Expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995, were negatively
influenced by nonrecurring charges, primarily related to a $4,800,000 provision
for losses and a $5,794,000 charge for the settlement of the management
contract, an expense associated with the merger of the Company's advisor into
the Company.
 
     The provision for depreciation for the year ended December 31, 1995,
totaled $1,580,000, an increase of $194,000 over the year ended December 31,
1994 as a result of additional operating lease investments.
 
     Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1995, was $12,752,000
compared to $9,684,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994. The increase in
interest expense during 1995 was primarily due to higher average borrowings
under the Company's line of credit arrangements, and higher costs of borrowing.
 
     General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 1995
totaled $5,284,000 as compared to $5,072,000 for the year ended December 31,
1994. The expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995 were 11.85% of revenues
as compared to 11.87% for the year ended December 31, 1994.
 
     As a result of the various factors mentioned above, net income for the year
ended December 31, 1995, was $13,635,000 as compared to $24,953,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1994. Net income per share for the year ended December 31,
1995, was $1.16 versus $2.17 for the year ended December 31, 1994. The per share
decrease resulted from a decrease in net income.
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>   12
 
IMPACT OF INFLATION
 
     During the past three years, inflation has not significantly affected the
earnings of the Company because of the moderate inflation rate. Additionally,
earnings of the Company are primarily long-term investments with fixed interest
rates. These investments are mainly financed with a combination of equity,
senior notes and borrowings under the revolving lines of credit, of which a
portion is hedged with interest rate swaps. During inflationary periods, which
generally are accompanied by rising interest rates, the Company's ability to
grow may be adversely affected because the yield on new investments may increase
at a slower rate than new borrowing cost. Presuming the current inflation rate
remains moderate and long-term interest rates do not increase significantly, the
Company believes that equity and debt financing will be available.
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>   13
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Executive
Officers and Directors of the Company:
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           NAME               AGE                              OFFICE
- ---------------------------   ---     ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>     <C>
George L. Chapman..........   50      Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
                                      President
 
Raymond W. Braun...........   39      Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Edward F. Lange, Jr........   38      Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
Erin C. Ibele..............   35      Vice President and Corporate Secretary
</TABLE>
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           NAME               AGE                            OCCUPATION
- ---------------------------   ---     ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>     <C>
William C. Ballard, Jr.....   57      Of Counsel, Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald PLLC and
                                      Director, United Healthcare Corporation, Atria
                                      Communities, Inc., Vencor, Inc., Mid-America Bancorp.,
                                      LG&E Energy Corp. and American Safety Razor Co.
 
Pier C. Borra..............   57      Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbor
                                      Health Care Company, Lima, Ohio
 
George L. Chapman..........   50      Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Presi-
                                      dent of the Company
 
Jeffrey H. Donahue.........   51      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The
                                      Rouse Company and Director of T. Rowe Price Spectrum
                                      Income and Growth Mutual Funds, T. Rowe Price Renais-
                                      sance Fund and The Enterprise Social Investment Corpora-
                                      tion
 
Bruce Douglas..............   64      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Douglas
                                      Company, Toledo, Ohio
 
Richard C. Glowacki........   64      President of The Danberry Management Company, Toledo,
                                      Ohio
 
Sharon M. Oster............   49      Professor of Management, Yale School of Management, Yale
                                      University and Director, Aristotle Corporation
 
Bruce G. Thompson..........   68      President and Director of First Toledo Corporation,
                                      Toledo, Ohio and Director, Arbor Health Care Company
 
Richard A. Unverferth......   74      Chairman of Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc. and
                                      Chairman of the Board of H.C.F. Inc., Kalida, Ohio
 
Frederic D. Wolfe..........   68      Chairman of the Board and Director of First Toledo
                                      Corporation, Toledo, Ohio
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>   14
 
                                    TAXATION
 
     Since its inception, the Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate
investment trust ("REIT") under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Based upon representations made by
officers of the Company with respect to relevant factual matters, and subject to
the limitations and qualifications herein, it is the opinion of Shumaker, Loop &
Kendrick, LLP, counsel for the Company, based upon current law, including
relevant statutes, regulations, judicial and administrative precedent (which law
is subject to change on a retroactive basis) and upon the assumption that the
Company will operate in the manner described in this Prospectus, that the
Company was organized and continues to be organized in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, that it has for the
years 1993, 1994 and 1995 met the requirements for qualification and taxation as
a REIT and that its method of operation during 1996 and its proposed method of
operation during 1997 will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification
and taxation as a REIT for 1996 and 1997. The Company's continued qualification
as a REIT will depend upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating
results, the various qualification tests imposed under the Code. No assurance
can be given that the actual results of the Company's operations will satisfy
such requirements.
 
     If the Company meets the requirements to be taxed as a REIT, it will not
generally be subject to federal income tax on taxable income and gains that are
currently distributed to its shareholders. Any undistributed taxable income or
gain, however, will be taxed to the Company at regular corporate rates. In
addition, the Company may be subject to special taxes on net income derived from
certain sales or other dispositions of property (other than foreclosure
property) held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business by the Company and on certain income derived from foreclosure
properties.
 
     As long as the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, distributions out
of current or accumulated earnings and profits will be taxable to the
shareholders as ordinary income, except that distributions of net capital gains
designated by the Company as capital gain dividends will be taxed as long-term
capital gains. None of the distributions from the Company will qualify for the
dividends received deduction generally available to corporations.
 
     If the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year, and
certain relief provisions did not apply, the Company would be subject to federal
income tax (including the alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at
regular corporate rates and it would not receive a deduction for dividends paid
to its shareholders. Distributions to shareholders would then be eligible,
subject to certain limitations, for the corporate dividends received deduction,
but there can be no assurance that any such distributions would be made. Failure
to qualify as a REIT could result in the Company significantly reducing its
distributions and incurring substantial indebtedness or liquidating substantial
investments in order to pay the resulting taxes.
 
     The preceding is only a summary of the complex federal income tax rules
governing the taxation of the Company and its shareholders. Moreover, in order
to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, the Company must elect to be taxed as a REIT
and satisfy a variety of complex tests relating to its share ownership, income,
assets and distributions. A summary of these tests and a more detailed
discussion of the federal income taxation of the Company and its shareholders is
provided in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996. In addition, prospective investors should consult their own
tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of such an investment under
federal, state or municipal law or the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction. In
particular, foreign investors should consult with their tax advisors concerning
the tax consequences of an investment in the shares of a REIT including the
possibility that distributions with respect to the shares will be subject to
federal income tax withholding.
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>   15
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, BT Alex.
Brown Incorporated, the Underwriter, has agreed to purchase from the Company all
of the Shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and
commissions set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriter
are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriter will
purchase all of the Shares offered hereby if any such Shares are purchased.
 
     The Company has been advised by the Underwriter that the Underwriter
proposes to offer the Shares to the public at the public offering price set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers at
such price less a concession not in excess of $.70 per Share. The Underwriter
may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $.10 per
Share to certain other dealers. After the public offering, the public offering
price and other selling terms may be changed by the Underwriter.
 
     The Company has granted the Underwriter an option, exercisable not later
than 30 days after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to purchase up to
300,000 additional Shares at the public offering price less the underwriting
discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
Supplement. The Underwriter may exercise such option only to cover
over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the Shares offered hereby.
If purchased, the Underwriter will offer such additional Shares on the same
terms as those on which the 2,000,000 Shares are being offered.
 
     The Underwriter may engage in stabilizing and syndicate covering
transactions in accordance with Rule 104 of Regulation M promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Rule 104 permits stabilizing bids to purchase
the Company's Shares so long as bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Syndicate covering transactions involve the purchase of the Company's Shares in
the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover
syndicate short positions. Stabilizing and syndicate covering transactions may
cause the price of the Shares to be higher than it otherwise would be in the
absence of such transactions. These transactions, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
     The Company and each of its Executive Officers and Directors have agreed
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise issue or dispose of any Shares
or options to purchase Shares (except for issuances by the Company pursuant to
the Company's 1985 Incentive Stock Option Plan and the 1995 Stock Incentive
Plan) for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement
without the prior written consent of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated.
 
     The Underwriter has from time to time conducted investment banking services
on behalf of the Company for which it has received customary fees.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the issuance of the Shares offered hereby is being passed
upon for the Company by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Toledo, Ohio. In
addition, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP has passed upon certain federal income
tax matters relating to the Company. Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, Cleveland,
Ohio will pass upon certain legal matters for the Underwriter.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>   16
 
PROSPECTUS
- ----------           
 
                             HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                                  COMMON STOCK
                                    WARRANTS

                               ------------------
 
     Health Care REIT, Inc. (the "Company") intends to issue from time to time,
in one or more series, its (i) unsecured and senior or subordinated debt
securities ("Debt Securities"); (ii) shares or fractional shares of preferred
stock, $1.00 par value ("Preferred Stock"); (iii) shares of common stock, $1.00
par value ("Common Stock"); and (iv) warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock ("Warrants"). The Debt Securities,
the Preferred Stock, the Common Stock and the Warrants offered hereby
(collectively, the "Offered Securities") may be offered, separately or as units
with other offered securities, in separate series and amounts at prices and on
terms to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in a supplement
to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement"), at an aggregate initial public
offering price not to exceed $300,000,000, on terms to be determined at the time
of sale.
 
     The specific terms of the Offered Securities will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement and will include, where applicable, (i) in the
case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount,
denomination, maturity, priority, interest rate, time of interest, terms of
redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the holder
or for sinking fund payments, terms for conversion into or exchange for other
Offered Securities and the initial public offering price; (ii) in the case of
Preferred Stock, the series designation, the number of shares, the dividend,
liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights and the initial
public offering price; (iii) in the case of Common Stock, the specific number of
shares and the initial public offering price; (iv) in the case of Warrants, the
number and terms thereof, the designation and the number of Offered Securities
issuable upon their exercise, the exercise price, any listing of the Warrants or
the underlying Offered Securities on a securities exchange and any other terms
in connection with the offering, sale and exercise; and, (v) in the case of all
Offered Securities, whether such Offered Securities will be offered separately
or as a unit with other Offered Securities. In addition, such specific terms may
include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on
transfer of the Offered Securities, in each case as may be appropriate to
preserve the status of the Company as a qualified real estate investment trust
("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The
applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain information, where applicable,
concerning certain United States Federal income tax considerations relating to,
and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Offered Securities.
 
     The Offered Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated
from time to time by the Company, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If
any designated agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of the Offered
Securities, they will be identified and their compensation will be described in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." Also, the net
proceeds to the Company from such sale will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement. No Offered Securities may be sold without the delivery of the
applicable Prospectus Supplement describing such Offered Securities and the
method and terms of the offering thereof.
 
     The shares of Common Stock of the Company are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "HCN." On January 28, 1997, the reported last sale
price of the shares of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $24.75
per share.
 
                               ------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSIONER NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               ------------------
 
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE
    MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                               ------------------
 
                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS FEBRUARY 4, 1997
<PAGE>   17
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; and at
its Regional Offices at Suite 1400, Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Suite 1300, Seven World Trade
Centre, New York, New York 10048, and can also be inspected and copied at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York,
10005. Copies of such material can be obtained from the public reference section
of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of the prescribed fees. The Commission also
maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants, such as the
Company, that file electronically with the Commission.
 
     This Prospectus is part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (together
with all amendments and all exhibits, the "Registration Statement"), filed by
the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules of the Commission. For further information, reference
is made to the Registration Statement.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated herein by reference:
 
     1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
     2. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31,
1996.
 
     3. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30,
1996.
 
     4. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September
30, 1996.
 
     5. Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 16, 1996,
September 5, 1996 and December 12, 1996.
 
     6. All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of
this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities
shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part of this
Prospectus from the date of filing of each such document.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein,
and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement relating to a specific offering of
Offered Securities or in any other subsequently filed document, as the case may
be, which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies
or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus or any accompanying Prospectus Supplement. The Company will provide
on request and without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus is
delivered, upon the oral or written request of such person, a copy (without
exhibits) of any or all documents incorporated by reference to this Prospectus.
Requests for such copies should be directed to Erin C. Ibele, Vice President and
Corporate Secretary, Health Care REIT, Inc., One SeaGate, Suite 1500, Toledo,
Ohio 43604, telephone number (419) 247-2800.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   18
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Health Care REIT, Inc. (the "Company") is a self-administered real estate
investment trust ("REIT") that invests in health care facilities, primarily
nursing homes, assisted living facilities and retirement centers. As of
September 30, 1996, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and retirement
centers comprised approximately 84% of the investment portfolio. Founded in
1970, the Company was the first real estate investment trust to invest
exclusively in health care facilities.
 
     The Company's objective is to enable stockholders to participate in health
care investments that produce income and preserve principal. Since its
inception, the Company has paid 102 consecutive quarterly dividends.
 
     The shares of the common stock of the Company are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol "HCN." The Company's executive offices are
located at One SeaGate, Suite 1500, Toledo, Ohio, 43604, and the telephone
number is (419) 247-2800.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities will be used to finance, either
directly or indirectly, the Company's investments in health care facilities and
will allow the Company to pursue additional health care property investments and
complete unfunded commitments.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of
the Company for the periods indicated. For purposes of calculating such ratio,
"earnings" includes net income plus fixed charges reduced by the amount of
interest capitalized. "Fixed charges" consists of interest whether expensed or
capitalized and the amortization of loan expenses. The Company did not have any
Preferred Stock outstanding for any period presented. Accordingly, the ratio of
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is identical to
the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           SEPTEMBER 30,      ----------------------------------------
                                               1996           1995     1994     1993     1992     1991
                                         -----------------    ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>                                      <C>                  <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Consolidated ratio of earnings to
  fixed charges (unaudited)...........          2.80          2.01     3.42     2.80     2.97     2.17
</TABLE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture
to be executed by the Company and a trustee (the "Trustee"), a form of which is
included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is
a part (the "Indenture"). The terms of the Debt Securities may include those
stated in the Indenture and those made a part of the Indenture (before any
supplements) by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"TIA").
 
     The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Indenture and does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions of certain terms
therein to which reference is hereby made for a complete statement of such
provisions. Wherever particular provisions or sections of the Indenture or terms
defined therein are referred to herein, such provisions or definitions are
incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   19
 
TERMS
 
     The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company.
 
     The Indenture provides that the Debt Securities may be issued without limit
as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as
established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or as established in one or
more indentures supplemental to such Indenture. Debt Securities may be issued
with terms different from those of Debt Securities previously issued. All Debt
Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless
otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders
of the Debt Securities of such series, for issuances of additional Debt
Securities of such series.
 
     The Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder,
each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities. Any Trustee under
the Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of
Debt Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to
such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as Trustee with
respect to different series of Debt Securities, each such Trustee shall be a
Trustee of a trust under the applicable Indenture separate and apart from the
trust administered by any other Trustee and, except as otherwise indicated
herein, any action described herein to be taken by the Trustee may be taken by
each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more
series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee under the applicable
Indenture.
 
     The Prospectus Supplement will describe certain terms of any Debt
Securities offered hereby, including:
 
          (1) the title of such Debt Securities;
 
          (2) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any
     limit on such principal amount;
 
          (3) the percentage of the principal amount at which such Debt
     Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof,
     the portion of the principal amount payable upon declaration of
     acceleration of the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the
     principal amount of such Debt Securities that is convertible into Capital
     Stock of the Company or the method by which any such portion will be
     determined;
 
          (4) if convertible, in connection with the preservation of the
     Company's status as a REIT, any applicable limitations on the ownership or
     transferability of the Capital Stock of the Company into which such Debt
     Securities are convertible;
 
          (5) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will
     be determined, on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be
     payable and the amount of principal payable thereon;
 
          (6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which such
     Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method by which such
     rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which such
     interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be
     determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will be
     payable and the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates, or
     the method by which such Dates will be determined, and the basis upon which
     interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting
     of twelve 30-day months;
 
          (7) the place or places where the principal of (and premium or
     Make-Whole Amount as defined in the Indenture, if any), interest, if any,
     and Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of, such Debt Securities
     will be payable, where such Debt Securities may be surrendered for
     registration of, transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or
     upon the Company in respect of such Debt Securities and the applicable
     Indenture may be served;
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   20
 
          (8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (including
     premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) at which, the currency or currencies,
     currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which and
     other terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be redeemed
     in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to
     have the option;
 
          (9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or
     purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
     provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods
     within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which,
     the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
     currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which such Debt
     Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part,
     pursuant to such obligation;
 
          (10) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form
     and terms and conditions relating thereto, and, if other than $1,000 and
     any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any registered
     Debt Securities will be issuable and, if other than $1,000 the denomination
     or denominations in which any bearer Debt Securities will be issuable;
 
          (11) if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies
     in which such Debt Securities will be denominated and payable, which may be
     a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a
     composite currency or currencies;
 
          (12) whether the amount of payments of principal (and premium or
     Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may
     be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which
     index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more
     currencies, currency units, composite currencies, commodities, equity
     indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts will be
     determined;
 
          (13) whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
     any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on such Debt Securities are
     to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a
     currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
     currencies other than that in which such Debt Securities are denominated or
     stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and
     conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner
     of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for,
     determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency
     unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt
     Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or
     currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in
     which such Debt Securities are to be so payable;
 
          (14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of
     such Debt Securities upon the occurrence of such events as may be
     specified;
 
          (15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events
     of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to such Debt
     Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are
     consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth in the
     applicable Indenture;
 
          (16) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or
     book-entry form;
 
          (17) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance provisions of the
     applicable Indenture;
 
          (18) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
     Additional Amounts as contemplated in the applicable Indenture on such Debt
     Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if
     so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities
     rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);
     and
 
          (19) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
     provisions of the applicable Indenture.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   21
 
     The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
("Original Issue Discount Securities"). Special United States federal income
tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to Original Issue Discount
Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     (1) The terms, if any, on which Debt Securities of any series may be
converted into shares of Common Stock or Debt Securities of another series will
be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. To protect the
Company's status as a REIT, the holders of Debt Securities of any series
("Holders") may not convert any Debt Security, and such Debt Security shall not
be convertible by any Holder, if as a result of such conversion any person would
then be deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 9.8% or more of the
then outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
     (2) The conversion price will be subject to adjustment under certain
conditions, including (a) the payment of dividends (and other distributions) in
shares of Common Stock; (b) subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of
shares of Common Stock; (c) the issuance to all or substantially all holders of
shares of Common Stock of rights or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share (or having a conversion
price per share of Common Stock) less than the then current market price; and
(d) distributions to all or substantially all holders of shares of Common Stock
or shares of any other class, of evidences of indebtedness or assets (including
securities, but excluding those rights, warrants, dividends and distributions
referred to above and dividends and distributions not prohibited under the terms
of the Indenture) of the Company, subject to the limitation that all adjustments
by reason of any of the foregoing would not be made until they result in a
cumulative change in the conversion price of at least 1%. In the event the
Company shall effect any capital reorganization or reclassification of its
shares of Common Stock or shall consolidate or merge with or into any trust or
corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the
surviving entity) or shall sell or transfer substantially all its assets to any
other trust or corporation, the Holders shall, if entitled to convert such Debt
Securities at any time after such transaction, receive upon conversion thereof,
in lieu of each share of Common Stock into which the Debt Securities of such
series would have been convertible prior to such transaction, the same kind and
amount of stock and other securities, cash or property as shall have been
issuable or distributable in connection with such transaction with respect to
each share of Common Stock.
 
     (3) A conversion price adjustment made according to the provisions of the
Debt Securities of any series (or the absence of provision for such an
adjustment) might result in a constructive distribution to the Holders of Debt
Securities of such series or holders of shares of Common Stock that would be
subject to taxation as a dividend. The Company may, at its option, make such
reductions in the conversion price, in addition to those set forth above, as the
Board of Directors of the Company deems advisable to avoid or diminish any
income tax to holders of shares of Common Stock resulting from any dividend or
distribution of shares of Common Stock (or rights to acquire shares of Common
Stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes or for any
other reason. The Board of Directors will also have the power to resolve any
ambiguity or correct any error in the provisions relating to the adjustment of
the conversion price of the Debt Securities of such series and its actions in so
doing shall be final and conclusive.
 
     (4) Fractional shares of Common Stock will not be issued upon conversion,
but, in lieu thereof, the Company will pay a cash adjustment based upon market
price.
 
     (5) The Holders of Debt Securities of any series at the close of business
on an interest payment record date shall be entitled to receive the interest
payable on such Debt Securities on the corresponding interest payment date
notwithstanding the conversion thereof. However, Debt Securities surrendered for
conversion during the period from the close of business on any record date for
the payment of interest to the opening of business on the corresponding interest
payment
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   22
 
date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest payable
on such interest payment date. Holders of Debt Securities of any series who
convert Debt Securities of such series on an interest payment date will receive
the interest payable by the Company on such date and need not include payment in
the amount of such interest upon surrender of such Debt Securities for
conversion.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
  Merger, Consolidation or Sale
 
     The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity,
provided that (a) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the
successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any
such consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of such
assets is a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States or
any State thereof and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on all of the Debt Securities
and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions contained in each Indenture; (b) immediately after giving effect to
such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of
the Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the
Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default
under an Indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would become such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing; and (c) an Officers' Certificate and legal opinion covering such
conditions shall be delivered to the Trustee.
 
  Optional Redemption
 
     The Debt Securities of any series that are convertible into shares of
Common Stock will be subject to redemption, in whole or from time to time in
part, at any time for certain reasons intended to protect the Company's status
as a REIT at the option of the Company on at least 30 days' prior notice by mail
at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus interest
accrued to the date of redemption. See DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL
STOCK -- "Redemption and Restrictions on Transfer."
 
  Dividends, Distributions and Acquisitions
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company will not (a) declare or pay any
dividend or make any distribution on its shares of Common Stock or to holders of
its shares of Common Stock (other than dividends or distributions payable in its
shares of Common Stock or other than as the Company determines is necessary to
maintain its status as a REIT) or (b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or
retire for value any of its shares of Common Stock or permit any subsidiary to
do so, if at the time of such action an Event of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) has occurred and is continuing or would exist immediately after
giving effect to such action.
 
  Additional Covenants
 
     Any additional covenants of the Company with respect to a series of the
Debt Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relative thereto.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made with the consent
of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture that are affected by
such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each such Debt Security
affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium
or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or any installment of principal of or interest or
Additional Amounts payable on, any such Debt Security; (b) reduce the principal
amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   23
 
premium or Make-Whole Amount payable on redemption of, or any Additional Amounts
payable with respect to, any such Debt Security, or reduce the amount of
principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Make-Whole Amount, if any,
that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of
repayment of the Holder of any such Debt Security; (c) change the Place of
Payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of (and premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable
with respect to, any such Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute suit
for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security;
(e) reduce the percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary
to modify or amend the applicable Indenture, to waive compliance with certain
provisions thereof or certain defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce
the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the Indenture; or (f) modify any
of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of
certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required
percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may
not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of such Debt
Security.
 
     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities issued under the Indenture have the right to waive compliance by
the Company with certain covenants in the Indenture.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
     The Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (a) default for
30 days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts
payable on any Debt Security of such series; (b) default in the payment of the
principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Debt Security of
such series at its Maturity; (c) default in making any sinking fund payment as
required for any Debt Security of such series; (d) default in the performance of
any other covenant of the Company contained in the Indenture (other than a
covenant added to the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt
Securities issued thereunder other than such series), continued for 60 days
after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (e) default under any bond,
debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be
issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money
borrowed by the Company (or by any Subsidiary, the repayment of which the
Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or
liable as obligor or guarantor) having an aggregate principal amount outstanding
of at least $10,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter
be created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness being
declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have
become due and payable, without such acceleration having been rescinded or
annulled within 10 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (f)
the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments, orders
or decrees against the Company or any Subsidiary in an aggregate amount
(excluding amounts fully covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 and such
judgments, orders or decrees remain undischarged, unstayed and unsatisfied in an
aggregate amount (excluding amounts fully covered by insurance) in excess of
$10,000,000 for a period of 30 consecutive days; (g) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver,
liquidator or trustee of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of either of its property; and (h) any other Event of Default
provided with respect to such series of Debt Securities. The term "Significant
Subsidiary" means each significant subsidiary as defined in Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act of the Company.
 
     If an event of Default under the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities
of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every
such case the Trustees or Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare the principal amount
(or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount
Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms thereof)
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   24
 
of, and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on, all of the Debt Securities of
that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice thereof to the
Company and to the Trustee if given by the Holders. However, at any time after
such declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of such series
(or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as
the case may be) has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of
the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series
(or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as
the case may be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(a) the Company shall have deposited with the Trustee all required payments of
the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, and
any Additional Amounts, on the Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be),
plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and (b)
all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal (or
specified portion thereof and the premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be)
have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. The Indenture also
provides that the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or of all Debt Securities then
Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be) may waive any
past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default
(i) in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
or interest or Additional Amounts payable on any Debt Security of such series or
(ii) in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the applicable Indenture
that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby.
 
     A Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities
within 90 days of a default under the applicable Indenture; provided, however,
that a Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of any series of Debt
Securities of any default with respect to such series (except a default in the
payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest or Additional Amounts payable on any Debt Security of such series or in
the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any Debt Security of
such series) if the Responsible Officers of such Trustee consider such
withholding to be in the interest of such Holders.
 
     The Indenture provides that no Holders of Debt Securities of any series may
institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such Indenture
or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the Trustee, for
60 days, to act after it has received a written request to institute proceedings
in respect of an Event of Default from the Holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, as well as
an offer of reasonable indemnity. This provision will not prevent, however, any
Holder of Debt Securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment
of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest on and
Additional Amounts payable with respect to, such Debt Securities at the
respective due dates thereof.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities ("Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of a depository (the "Depository") identified in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities may be
issued in fully registered form and may be issued in either temporary or
permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the
individual Debt Securities represented thereby, a Global Security may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depository for such Global Security to a
nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository
or another nominee of such Depository or by such Depository or any nominee of
such Depository to a successor Depository or any nominee of such successor.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   25
 
     The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series
of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series. The Company expects that unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the following provisions will apply to
depository arrangements.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer
system the respective principal amounts of the individual Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that have
accounts with such Depository ("Participants"). Such accounts shall be
designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such Debt
Securities or by the Company if such Debt Securities are offered directly by the
Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be
limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and
the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained
by the Depository for such Global Security or its nominee (with respect to
beneficial interests of Participants) and records of Participants (with respect
to beneficial interests of persons who hold through Participants). The laws of
some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery
of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the
ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depository for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
applicable Indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a Global Security will not be
entitled to have any of the individual Debt Securities represented by such
Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of any such Debt Securities in definitive form and
will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable
Indenture.
 
     Payments of principal of, any premium or Make-Whole Amount and any interest
on, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect to, individual Debt
Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name of a
Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security. None of the
Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar for such Debt
Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Security for such Debt Securities or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
 
     The Company expects that the Depository for any Debt Securities or its
nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount,
interest or Additional Amounts in respect of the Global Security representing
such Debt Securities will immediately credit Participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of such Global Security as shown on the records of such
Depository or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by
Participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held
through such Participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of
customers in bearer form or registered in street name. Such payments will be the
responsibility of such Participants.
 
     If a Depository for any Debt Securities is at any time unwilling, unable or
ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed
by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue individual Debt Securities
in exchange for the Global Security representing such Debt Securities. In
addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any
limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt
Securities, determine not to have any of such Debt Securities represented by one
or more Global Securities and in such event will issue individual Debt
Securities in exchange for the Global Security or Securities
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   26
 
representing such Debt Securities. Individual Debt Securities so issued will be
issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
     The Company may issue, together with any other series of Securities offered
or separately, Warrants entitling the holder to purchase from or sell to the
Company, or to receive from the Company the cash value of the right to purchase
or sell, Debt Securities, shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock. The
Warrants are to be issued under a Warrant Agreement (each a "Warrant Agreement")
to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant
agent (the "Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement relating to the particular issue of Warrants. Copies of the form of
Warrant Agreement, including the form of Warrant Certificate representing the
Warrants (the "Warrant Certificates"), are filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
 
     In the case of each series of Warrants, the applicable Prospectus
Supplement will describe the terms of the Warrants being offered thereby,
including the following, if applicable: (a) the offering price; (b) the
currencies in which such Warrants are being offered; (c) the number of Warrants
offered; (d) the securities underlying the Warrants; (e) the exercise price, the
procedures for exercise of the Warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will
cause the Warrants to be deemed to be automatically exercised; (f) the date on
which the right to exercise the Warrants shall commence and the date on which
such right shall expire; (g) U.S. federal income tax consequences; and (h) other
terms of the Warrants.
 
     Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the Warrant Agent or
any other office indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the
exercise of Warrants entitling the holder to purchase any securities, holders of
such Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities
purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to
holders of such securities.
 
     The Warrant Agreements may be amended or supplemented without the consent
of the holders of the Warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Warrants and that do not adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the Warrants.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   27
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
                              AND PREFERRED STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company is authorized to issue 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $1.00
par value per share. The Company had outstanding 16,079,931 shares of common
stock, $1.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), on September 30, 1996.
The shares constitute the only class of outstanding voting securities of the
Company.
 
     The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
$1.00 par value per share. No shares of Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock")
were outstanding on September 30, 1996. The Company has authorized the issuance
of 13,000 shares of Junior Participating Stock, Series A ("Series A Preferred
Stock") which is discussed below.
 
     The following statements with respect to the capital stock of the Company
are subject to detailed provisions of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended (the "Certificate"), and the Company's By-Laws (the
"By-Laws") as currently in effect. These statements do not purport to be
complete, or to give full effect of the terms of the provisions of statutory or
common law, and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference
to, the terms of the Certificate and By-Laws which are filed as exhibits to the
registration statement.
 
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
     On July 19, 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the
issuance of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding
share of Common Stock. Under certain conditions, each Right may be exercised to
purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Junior Participation Preferred Stock,
Series A, par value $1.00 per share ("Series A Preferred Stock"), of the Company
at a price of $48. The number of Rights outstanding and Series A Preferred Stock
issuable upon exercise, as well as the Series A Preferred Stock purchase price,
are subject to customary antidilution adjustments.
 
     The Rights are evidenced by the certificates for shares of Common Stock,
and in general are not transferable apart from the Common Stock or exercisable
until after a party has acquired beneficial ownership of, or made a tender offer
for 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company (an "Acquiring
Person"), or the occurrence of other events as specified in a Rights Agreement
between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights
Agent. Under certain conditions as specified in the Rights Agreement, including
but not limited to, the acquisition by a party of 15% or more of the outstanding
Common Stock of the Company, or the acquisition of the Company in a merger or
other business combination, each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring
Person, whose Rights will be void) will receive upon exercise thereof and
payment of the exercise price that number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company, or of the other party, as applicable, having a market value of two
times the exercise price of the Right.
 
     The Rights expire on August 5, 2004, and until exercised, the holder
thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company. At the
Company's option, the Rights may be redeemed in whole at a price of $.01 per
Right at any time prior to becoming exercisable. In general, the Company may
also exchange the Rights at a ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right after
becoming exercisable but prior to the acquisition of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock by any party.
 
     Series A Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes and
will be entitled to (a) a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment equal
to the greater of $25.00 per share or 1,000 times the amount of the dividends
per share paid on the Common Stock, (b) a liquidation preference in an amount
equal to the greater of $100 or 1,000 times the amount per share paid on the
Common Stock, and (c) a
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   28
 
payment in connection with a business combination (in which shares of Common
Stock are exchanged) equal to 1,000 times the amount per share paid on the
Common Stock.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Holders of the shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
when declared by the Board of Directors and after payment of, or provision for,
full cumulative dividends on and any required redemptions of shares of Preferred
Stock then outstanding. Holders of the shares of Common Stock have one vote per
share and noncumulative voting rights, which means that holders of more than 50%
of the shares of voting Common Stock can elect all the directors if they choose
to do so, and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares of Common
Stock will not be able to elect any directors. In the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation or dissolution of the Company, holders of the shares of
Common Stock are to share ratably in the distributable assets of the Company
remaining after the satisfaction of the prior preferential rights of the holders
of the shares of Preferred Stock and the satisfaction of all debts and
liabilities of the Company. Holders of the shares of Common Stock do not have
preemptive rights. The transfer agent for the Common Stock is ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which a
Prospectus Supplement may relate. Specific terms of any series of Preferred
Stock offered by a Prospectus Supplement will be described in that Prospectus
Supplement. The description set forth below is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Certificate fixing the preferences, limitations and
relative rights of a particular series of Preferred Stock.
 
  General
 
     Under the Certificate, the Board of Directors of the Company is authorized,
without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to
10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more series, with such voting
powers and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions, as the Board of Directors shall approve.
 
     The Preferred Stock will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption,
conversion and voting rights set forth below unless otherwise provided in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series
of Preferred Stock offered thereby for specific terms, including: (a) the title
and liquidation preference per share of such Preferred Stock and the number of
shares offered; (b) the price at which such series will be issued; (c) the
dividend rate (or method of calculation), the dates on which dividends shall be
payable and the dates from which dividends shall commence to accumulate; (d) any
redemption or sinking fund provisions of such series; (e) any conversion
provisions of such series; and (f) any additional dividend, liquidation,
redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations
and restrictions of such series.
 
     The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock, each series will rank on a parity as to dividends and
distributions in the event of a liquidation with each other series of Preferred
Stock and, in all cases, will be senior to the shares of Common Stock.
 
  Dividend Rights
 
     Holders of the shares of Preferred Stock of each series will be entitled to
receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of assets of
the Company legally available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such
dates as are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   29
 
such series of Preferred Stock. Such rate may be fixed or variable or both and
may be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative.
 
     If the applicable Prospectus Supplement so provides, as long as any shares
of Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends will be declared or paid or any
distributions be made on the Common Stock, other than a dividend payable in
shares of Common Stock, unless the accrued dividends on each series of Preferred
Stock have been fully paid or declared and set apart for payment and the Company
shall have set apart all amounts, if any, required to be set apart for all
sinking funds, if any, for each series of Preferred Stock.
 
     If the applicable Prospectus Supplement so provides, when dividends are not
paid in full upon any series of Preferred Stock and any other series of
Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with such series of
Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon such series of Preferred Stock and
any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends will be
declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on such
series of Preferred Stock and such other series will in all cases bear to each
other the same ratio that accrued in dividends per share on such series of
Preferred Stock and such other series bear to each other.
 
     Each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to dividends as described
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series, which may be based upon
one or more methods of determination. Different series of Preferred Stock may be
entitled to dividends at different dividend rates or based upon different
methods of determination. Except as provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, no series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to participate
generally in the earnings or assets of the Company.
 
  Rights Upon Liquidation
 
     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company available for distribution
to stockholders the amount stated or determined on the basis set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such series, which may include accrued
dividends, if such liquidation, dissolution or winding up is involuntary or may
equal the current redemption price per share (otherwise than for the sinking
fund, if any, provided for such series) provided for such series set forth in
such Prospectus Supplement, if such liquidation, dissolution or winding up is
voluntary, and on such preferential basis as is set forth in such Prospectus
Supplement. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to Preferred Stock
of any series and any other shares of stock of the Company ranking as to any
such distribution on a parity with such series of Preferred Stock are not paid
in full, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock of such series and of such
other shares will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the
Company in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they
are entitled or on such other basis as is set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock
to participate in the assets of the Company remaining after the holders of other
series of Preferred Stock have been paid their respective specified liquidation
preferences upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up the Company will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
 
  Redemption
 
     A series of Preferred Stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company, and may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a
sinking fund, in each case upon terms, at the times, the redemption prices and
for the types of consideration set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such series. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred
Stock which is subject to mandatory redemption shall specify the number of
shares of such series that shall be redeemed by the Company in each year
commencing after a date to be specified,
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   30
 
at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal
to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption.
 
     If, after giving notice of redemption to the holders of a series of
Preferred Stock, the Company deposits with a designated bank funds sufficient to
redeem such shares of Preferred Stock, then from and after such deposit, all
shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding for any purpose,
other than the right to receive the redemption price and the right to convert
such shares into other classes of capital stock of the Company. The redemption
price will be stated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock.
 
     Except as indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred
Stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption at the option of the holder.
 
  Sinking Fund
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for any series of Preferred Stock will state the
terms, if any, of a sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of that series.
 
  Conversion Rights
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for any series of Preferred Stock will state the
terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into shares of
Common Stock or another series of Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock will have
no preemptive rights.
 
  Voting Rights
 
     Except as indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock, or except as expressly required by Delaware law, a
holder of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote. Except as indicated in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock, in
the event the Company issues full shares of any series of Preferred Stock, each
such share will be entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of such
series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote.
 
     Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of all series of Preferred Stock, voting as a separate
voting group, will be required for (a) the authorization of any class of stock
ranking prior to or on parity with shares of Preferred Stock or the increase in
the number of authorized shares of any such stock, (b) any increase in the
number of authorized shares of shares of Preferred Stock, and (c) certain
amendments to the Articles that may be adverse to the rights of Preferred Stock
outstanding.
 
  Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
     The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for a series
of Preferred Stock will be selected by the Company and be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The registrar for shares of Preferred Stock
will send notices to stockholders of any meetings at which holders of the shares
of Preferred Stock have the right to vote on any matter.
 
REDEMPTION AND RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
 
     In order to preserve the Company's status as a REIT as defined in the Code,
the Company can redeem or stop the transfer of its shares. The Company's
Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company is organized to qualify
as a REIT. Because the Code provides that the concentration of more than 50% in
value of the direct or indirect ownership of its shares in five or fewer
individual stockholders during the last six months of any year would result in
the disqualification of the Company as a REIT, the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation provides that the Company has the power to treat any transfer or
issuance resulting in the 9.8% to be exceeded as null and void and treat the
stockholder as holding the securities on behalf of the Company.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   31
 
REIT QUALIFICATION
 
     Generally, for each taxable year during which the Company qualifies as a
real estate investment trust, it will not be taxed on the portion of its taxable
income (including capital gains) that is distributed to stockholders. Any
undistributed income or gains will be taxed to the Company at regular corporate
tax rates. The Company will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on
its net income from foreclosure property, regardless of the amount of its
distributions. The highest corporate tax rate is currently 35%. Failure to
qualify could result in the Company's incurring indebtedness and perhaps
liquidating investments in order to pay the resulting taxes.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell Offered Securities to or through underwriters or may
sell Offered Securities to investors directly or through designated agents. Any
such underwriter or agent involved in the offer or sale of the Offered
Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed, or from time to time, at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. The Company also may, from time to time, authorize
underwriters acting as agents to offer and sell the Offered Securities upon the
terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. In connection with
the sale of the Offered Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received
compensation from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or
commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of Offered
Securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell Offered
Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions (which may be changed from
time to time) from the underwriters and or from the purchasers for whom they may
act as agents.
 
     Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of Offered Securities and any discounts,
concessions, or commissions allowed by the underwriters to participating dealers
would be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters,
dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities
may be deemed to be underwriters and any discounts and commissions received by
them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into
with the Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed
Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date
or dates stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Each contract will be for an
amount not less than, and the principal amount of Offered Securities sold
pursuant to Contracts shall not be less or more than the respective amount
stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with which Contracts, when
authorized, may be made with commercial and savings banks, insurance companies,
pension funds, investment companies, education and charitable institutions and
other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to the approval of the
Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except (a) the purchase
by an institution of the Offered Securities covered by its Contract shall not at
the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the
United States to which such institution is subject; and (b) the Company shall
have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the Offered
Securities less the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts. The
commission indicated in the Prospectus Supplement will be paid to agents and
underwriters soliciting purchases of Offered Securities pursuant to Contracts
accepted by the Company. Agents and underwriters shall have no responsibility in
respect to this delivery or performance of Contracts.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   32
 
     Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of,
engage in transactions with, and perform services for, the Company in the
ordinary course of business.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     The validity of the Offered Securities will be passed upon by Shumaker,
Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Toledo, Ohio.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Health Care REIT, Inc. appearing
in Health Care REIT, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1995, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   33
 
======================================================
 
     No person has been authorized in connection with the offering made hereby
to give any information or to make any representations, other than those
contained herein and, if given or made, such information or representations must
not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company or the Underwriter.
This Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell
or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities in any
jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or
solicitation in such jurisdiction. The delivery of this Prospectus Supplement
and the Prospectus at any time does not imply that the information in the
Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to
its date.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       PAGE
                                      ------
<S>                                   <C>
        PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Properties............................   S-2
The Company...........................   S-3
Recent Developments...................   S-5
Use of Proceeds.......................   S-5
Price Range of Shares and Distribution
  History.............................   S-6
Capitalization........................   S-7
Selected Financial Information........   S-8
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   S-9
Management............................  S-13
Taxation..............................  S-14
Underwriting..........................  S-15
Legal Matters.........................  S-15
 
  PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 4, 1997
Available Information.................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     2
The Company...........................     3
Use of Proceeds.......................     3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....     3
Description of Debt Securities........     3
Description of Warrants...............    11
Description of Common Stock and
  Preferred Stock.....................    12
Plan of Distribution..................    16
Legal Opinions........................    17
Experts...............................    17
</TABLE>
 
======================================================
======================================================
 
                                2,000,000 SHARES
 
                             Health Care REIT Logo
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                    ---------------------------------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                    ---------------------------------------
 
                                 BT ALEX. BROWN
 
                                October 24, 1997
 
======================================================


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