Ventas Second Quarter FFO Rises 21 Percent to $37.7 Million;
Per Share FFO Increases 15 Percent to $0.45 Per Share

Company Raises 2004 FFO Guidance to $1.75 to $1.79 Per Share

LOUISVILLE, KY (July 27, 2004) - Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) ("Ventas" or the "Company") said today that 2004 second quarter normalized Funds from Operations ("FFO") rose 21 percent to $37.7 million, compared with $31.2 million in the 2003 second quarter. Normalized FFO per diluted share in the second quarter ended June 30, 2004 increased 15 percent to $0.45 from $0.39 per diluted share for the comparable 2003 period. In the second quarter ended June 30, 2004, the Company had 84.6 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, compared to 79.6 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding a year earlier.

Normalized FFO for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $71.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, a 21 percent increase from $59.1 million, or $0.74 per diluted share for the comparable 2003 period.

Normalized FFO for all periods excludes the benefit of a $20.2 million reversal of a previously recorded contingent liability, which increased operating income in the first quarter of 2003 and a $0.9 million gain on sales of common stock in the Company's primary tenant, Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq:KIND) ("Kindred") which the Company realized in the second quarter of 2003.

The 2004 second quarter and first half of the year benefited from the Company's recent acquisition activity and from increased rent from the Company's master lease agreements with Kindred.

"We are delighted to report another quarter of excellent results and significant progress toward achieving our business goals," Ventas Chairman, President and CEO Debra A. Cafaro said. "We completed $70 million of acquisitions during the second quarter, adding four properties to our portfolio. In addition, with a strong and very active transaction pipeline, we believe we will continue to implement our strategic growth and diversification program with additional accretive acquisitions during the balance of 2004," she added.

"We also expect to enhance our future borrowing opportunities as the result of a recent credit upgrade from Standard & Poor's and the expected refinancing of our revolving credit agreement later this year. Our work remains focused on building shareholder value," Cafaro said.

GAAP NET INCOME

Ventas reported second quarter 2004 net income of $25.7 million, or $0.30 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2003, Ventas reported net income of $16.1 million or $0.20 per diluted share after discontinued operations of $1.0 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, related to the sale of 27 facilities.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $48.9 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared with net income for the six months ended June 30, 2003 of $53.4 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, after discontinued operations of $2.4 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.

    SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS AND OTHER RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
     -- Standard and Poor's raised Ventas's corporate credit ratings to 'BB'
        from 'BB-', citing the Company's improved portfolio diversification,
        increased net income and cash flow, and strong rent coverages.
     -- During the second quarter, Ventas made $70 million of new investments.
        The new assets consist of the following: one independent living
        facility in suburban Chicago acquired for $42 million, which has 220
        units and is operated by Brookdale Living Communities, Inc; one
        assisted living facility located in Pennsylvania purchased for
        $5 million and operated by Genesis Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq:GHCI);
        and two skilled nursing facilities containing 375 beds, located in
        Ohio, acquired for $23 million.  The original cash rent on these
        investments is $6.7 million per annum and the GAAP yield on these
        investments is 10.2 percent.
     -- With the completed acquisitions, annualized expected rent from Kindred
        represents approximately 80.5 percent of the Company's annualized
        expected revenue, assuming a full quarter effect of all acquisitions.
        In addition, annualized rent from market rate, non-government
        reimbursed assets in the Company's portfolio represents 12 percent of
        the Company's annualized expected revenue, on the same basis.  These
        assets include independent living facilities, assisted living
        facilities and medical/office buildings.
     -- The Company has initiated efforts to refinance its existing credit
        facility on more attractive terms.  The refinancing is expected to
        lower the Company's all-in borrowing cost on its revolving credit line
        borrowings by approximately 100 basis points, and be completed by the
        end of the third quarter. There can be no assurance that the Company
        will complete the proposed refinancing transaction or, if completed,
        the terms upon which the refinancing will be consummated or the timing
        of such refinancing.
     -- Ventas appointed K. Travis George as its Chief Accounting Officer.
        George previously was Controller of Sypris Solution, Inc.
        (Nasdaq:SYPR).  He replaces Mary L. Smith, who resigned in May to
        spend more time with her family.  Ms. Smith has continued to work with
        Ventas on a consulting basis.
     -- Effective July 6, Ventas graduated to the Russell 1000 Index from the
        Russell 2000 Index as a result of the increase in the Company's market
        capitalization.  The Russell 1000 Index offers investors access to the
        extensive large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe representing
        about 92 percent of the U.S. market.
     -- The Company maintained a strong balance sheet at June 30, 2004, with a
        second quarter pro forma annualized net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 3.7
        times.
     -- The 227 skilled nursing facilities and hospitals leased by the Company
        to its primary tenant, Kindred, produced EBITDAR to rent coverage of
        1.7 times (after management fees) for the trailing twelve month period
        ended March 31, 2004 (the latest date available).  Further information
        detailing these rent coverages is contained on a schedule attached to
        this Press Release.
     -- In June 2002 Ventas filed an action against law firm Sullivan &
        Cromwell ("S&C") entitled Ventas, Inc. v. Sullivan & Cromwell now
        pending in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.   The
        complaint alleges damages in excess of $180 million and asserts causes
        of action against S&C arising out of S&C's representation of the
        Company in the 1998 Spin Transaction in which the Company "spun off"
        Vencor, Inc. into a separate company (Vencor is now known as Kindred).
        The Company's claims against S&C include breach of fiduciary duty and
        legal malpractice. The Superior Court has denied all of S&C's motions
        to dismiss the litigation to date.  This action is currently in the
        discovery phase and the Company anticipates a 2005 trial date. The
        Company intends to vigorously pursue all of its claims in the
        litigation, but there can be no assurance regarding the outcome of
        this matter.

SECOND QUARTER 2004 RESULTS

Rental revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 was $58.7 million, of which $48.4 million (or 82.5 percent) resulted from leases with Kindred. Second quarter expenses totaled $34.1 million, and included $12.1 million of depreciation expense and $17.0 million of interest expense. General and administrative and professional expenses for the 2004 second quarter totaled $4.4 million. Property level operating expenses for the period were $0.3 million.

SIX MONTH 2004 RESULTS

Rental revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $112.0 million, of which $95.8 million (or 85.6 percent) resulted from leases with Kindred. Expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2004 totaled $65.1 million and included $23.0 million of depreciation expense, $32.3 million of interest expense and $8.8 million of general and administrative and professional expenses. Property level operating expenses for the period were $0.5 million.

VENTAS RAISES 2004 NORMALIZED FFO GUIDANCE

Ventas also said it raised its 2004 normalized FFO guidance to between $1.75 and $1.79 per diluted share. If achieved, these results would represent approximately 15 percent growth in normalized FFO per share in 2004. Previously, 2004 guidance was set at between $1.70 and $1.74 per diluted share.

The Company's increased guidance assumes that all of the Company's tenants and borrowers continue to meet all of their obligations to the Company and the Company completes its expected refinancing in the third quarter. To the extent that the Company issues any long-term fixed rate debt during 2004, its 2004 normalized FFO results should be on the lower end of the revised normalized FFO guidance range.

In addition to the previously stated assumptions, the Company's FFO guidance (and related GAAP earnings projections) for 2004 excludes gains and losses on the sales of assets, and the impact of future acquisitions, divestitures and capital transactions. Its guidance also excludes the future impact of (a) any expense the Company records for non-cash "swap ineffectiveness," and (b) any expenses related to asset impairment, the write- off of unamortized deferred financing fees or additional costs, expenses or premiums incurred as a result of early debt retirement.

The Company's FFO guidance is based on a number of other assumptions, which are subject to change and many of which are outside the control of the Company. If actual results vary from these assumptions, the Company's expectations may change. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve these results.

Reconciliation of the Company's normalized FFO guidance to the Company's projected GAAP earnings is provided on a schedule attached to this Press Release. The Company may from time to time update its publicly announced FFO guidance, but it is not obligated to do so.

SECOND QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL

Ventas will hold a conference call to discuss this earnings release on Wednesday morning, July 28, 2004, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central Time). The conference call is being web cast by CCBN and can be accessed at the Ventas website at http://www.ventasreit.com or http://www.fulldisclosure.com . An online replay of the web cast will be available at approximately 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and will be archived for thirty (30) days.

Ventas, Inc. is a healthcare real estate investment trust that owns 42 hospitals, 201 nursing facilities, 27 senior housing facilities and 11 other facilities in 39 states. The Company also has real estate investments in 25 additional healthcare and senior housing facilities. More information about Ventas can be found on its website at http://www.ventasreit.com .

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding Ventas, Inc.'s ("Ventas" or the "Company") and its subsidiaries' expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, funds from operations, dividends and dividend plans, financing plans, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, capital expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities, expected lease income, continued qualification as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), plans and objectives of management for future operations and statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will" and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and security holders must recognize that actual results may differ from the Company's expectations. The Company does not undertake a duty to update such forward-looking statements.

Actual future results and trends for the Company may differ materially depending on a variety of factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Factors that may affect the plans or results of the Company include, without limitation, (a) the ability and willingness of Kindred Healthcare, Inc. ("Kindred") and certain of its affiliates to continue to meet and/or perform their obligations under their contractual arrangements with the Company and the Company's subsidiaries, including without limitation the lease agreements and various agreements entered into by the Company and Kindred at the time of the Company's spin off of Kindred on May 1, 1998 (the "1998 Spin Off"), as such agreements may have been amended and restated in connection with Kindred's emergence from bankruptcy on April 20, 2001, (b) the ability and willingness of Kindred to continue to meet and/or perform its obligation to indemnify and defend the Company for all litigation and other claims relating to the healthcare operations and other assets and liabilities transferred to Kindred in the 1998 Spin Off, (c) the ability of Kindred and the Company's other operators, tenants and borrowers to maintain the financial strength and liquidity necessary to satisfy their respective obligations and duties under the leases and other agreements with the Company, and their existing credit agreements, (d) the Company's success in implementing its business strategy and the Company's ability to identify, consummate and integrate diversifying acquisitions or investments, (e) the nature and extent of future competition, (f) the extent of future healthcare reform and regulation, including cost containment measures and changes in reimbursement policies, procedures and rates, (g) increases in the cost of borrowing for the Company, (h) the ability of the Company's operators to deliver high quality care and to attract patients, (i) the results of litigation affecting the Company, (j) changes in general economic conditions and/or economic conditions in the markets in which the Company may, from time to time, compete, (k) the ability of the Company to pay down, refinance, restructure, and/or extend its indebtedness as it becomes due, (l) the movement of interest rates and the resulting impact on the value of and the accounting for the Company's interest rate swap agreement, (m) the ability and willingness of the Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT due to economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations, (n) final determination of the Company's taxable net income for the years ending December 31, 2003 and 2004, (o) the ability and willingness of the Company's tenants to renew their leases with the Company upon expiration of the leases and the Company's ability to relet its properties on the same or better terms in the event such leases expire and are not renewed by the existing tenants, and (p) the impact on the liquidity, financial condition and results of operations of Kindred and the Company's other operators resulting from increased operating costs and uninsured liabilities for professional liability claims, and the ability of Kindred and the Company's other operators to accurately estimate the magnitude of such liabilities. Many of such factors are beyond the control of the Company and its management.

                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
                                (In thousands)

                                                   June 30,     December 31,
                                                     2004           2003
                                                 (Unaudited)     (Audited)
    Assets
    Real estate investments:
      Land                                         $ 136,634      $ 104,300
      Building and improvements                    1,299,660        985,881
                                                   1,436,294      1,090,181
      Accumulated depreciation                      (431,707)      (408,891)
        Total net real estate property             1,004,587        681,290
      Loan receivable, net                            16,423         16,455
        Total net real estate investments          1,021,010        697,745
    Cash and cash equivalents                          8,880         82,104
    Restricted cash                                   18,358          7,575
    Deferred financing costs, net                     11,423         13,465
    Notes receivable from employees                    3,251          3,772
    Other                                             10,081          8,189
        Total assets                             $ 1,073,003      $ 812,850
    Liabilities and stockholders' equity
    Liabilities:
      Senior Notes payable and other debt          $ 851,675      $ 640,562
      Deferred revenue                                14,204         15,308
      Interest rate swap agreements                   18,251         27,868
      Accrued dividend                                              21,614
      Accrued interest                                 6,718          5,821
      Accounts payable and other accrued
       liabilities                                    21,298         14,562
      Other liabilities -- disputed tax refunds          835            406
      Deferred income taxes                           30,394         30,394
        Total liabilities                            943,375        756,535

    Commitments and contingencies

    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock, 10,000 shares authorized,
       unissued                                                          
      Common stock, $0.25 par value; authorized
       180,000 shares; 84,759 and 82,608 shares
       issued at June 30, 2004 and December 31,
       2003, respectively                             21,190         20,652
      Capital in excess of par value                 201,482        162,466
      Unearned compensation on restricted stock       (1,235)          (748)
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (10,129)       (18,294)
      Retained earnings (deficit)                    (62,377)       (56,790)
                                                     148,931        107,286
      Treasury stock, 688 and 1,817 shares at
       June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003,
       respectively                                  (19,303)       (50,971)
        Total stockholders' equity                   129,628         56,315

        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                                  $ 1,073,003      $ 812,850



                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
       For the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 (Unaudited)


                             Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                              2004         2003         2004         2003
    Revenues:
      Rental income        $58,710      $46,705     $111,950      $92,469
      Interest income
       from loan receivable    755          758        1,511        1,505
      Interest and other
       income                  302          553          583        1,045
        Total revenues      59,767       48,016      114,044       95,019

    Expenses:
      Property level operating
       expenses                290            -          497            -
      General and
       administrative        3,653        3,080        7,384        6,220
      Professional fees        763          702        1,370        1,462
      Reversal of contingent
       liability                 -            -            -      (20,164)
      Amortization of
       restricted stock
       grants                  279          310          550          601
      Depreciation          12,136        9,925       22,994       19,853
      Swap ineffectiveness       -          369            -          369
      Interest              16,992       15,662       32,320       31,594
      Interest on United
       States Settlement         -        3,761            -        4,943
        Total expenses      34,113       33,809       65,115       44,878

    Operating income        25,654       14,207       48,929       50,141
    Gain on sale of Kindred
      common stock               -          922            -          922
    Income before discontinued
     operations             25,654       15,129       48,929       51,063
    Discontinued operations      -        1,000            -        2,354
    Net income             $25,654      $16,129      $48,929      $53,417

    Earnings per common share:
      Basic:
        Income before
         discontinued
         operations          $0.31        $0.19        $0.59        $0.65
        Net income           $0.31        $0.20        $0.59        $0.68
      Diluted:
        Income before
         discontinued
         operations          $0.30        $0.19        $0.58        $0.64
        Net income           $0.30        $0.20        $0.58        $0.67

    Shares used in computing
     earnings per common
     share:
      Basic                 83,820       78,935       82,762       78,885
      Diluted               84,565       79,575       83,662       79,435

    Dividend declared per
     common share          $0.3250      $0.2675      $0.6500      $0.5350


               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
               For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)


                                                        2004         2003
    Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income                                      $48,929      $53,417
      Adjustments to reconcile net income
       to net cash provided by
       operating activities:
        Depreciation (including discontinued
         operations)                                   22,994       21,599
        Amortization of deferred financing costs        2,042        2,040
        Amortization of restricted stock grants           550          601
        Reversal of contingent liability                    -      (20,164)
        Normalized rents                               (1,150)         (86)
        Gain on sale of Kindred common stock                -         (922)
        Loss on sale of real estate assets (included
         in discontinued operations)                        -        5,254
        Amortization of deferred revenue               (1,255)      (2,030)
        Non-cash interest on the United States
         Settlement                                         -        2,655
        Other                                          (1,360)        (383)
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
        (Increase) decrease in restricted cash         (1,753)      12,922
        Increase in other assets                       (1,428)      (2,900)
        Increase (decrease) in accrued interest           897         (573)
        Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
         and accrued and other liabilities              2,059        2,586
          Net cash provided by operating activities    70,525       74,016
    Cash flows from investing activities:
        Net proceeds from sale of real estate               -       58,897
        Proceeds from sale of Kindred common stock          -        2,622
        Investment in real estate property           (246,385)           -
        Proceeds from loan receivable                     107          102
        Purchase of furniture and equipment                (6)         (38)
        Decrease in proceeds from notes receivable
         from employees                                   521          336
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing
           activities                                (245,763)      61,919
    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Net change in borrowings under revolving line
       of credit facility                             114,000       14,000
      Purchase of Senior Notes                              -      (37,366)
      Repayment of debt                                (5,895)      (1,549)
      Payment on the United States Settlement               -      (46,647)
      Payment of deferred financing costs                   -          (20)
      Issuance of common stock                         54,533            -
      Proceeds from stock option exercises             15,506        1,276
      Cash dividends to stockholders                  (76,130)     (58,911)
        Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities                         102,014     (129,217)
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
     equivalents                                      (73,224)       6,718
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   82,104        2,455
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $8,880       $9,173

    Supplemental schedule of noncash activities:
      Assets and liabilities assumed from acquisitions:
        Restricted cash                                $9,030           $-
        Other assets acquired                             204            -
        Assumed debt                                  103,008            -
        Other liabilities assumed                       5,954            -


                              SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

    Funds from Operations
    FFO and Normalized FFO for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004
     and 2003 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                              Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,                 June 30,
                              2004         2003         2004         2003

    Net income             $25,654      $16,129      $48,929      $53,417
    Adjustments:
      Depreciation on real
       estate assets        12,042        9,861       22,815       19,725
    Other items:
      Discontinued operations:
        Depreciation on real
         estate assets           -          873            -        1,746
        Loss on sale of real
         estate                  -        5,254            -        5,254
    FFO                     37,696       32,117       71,744       80,142

    Realized gain on sale
     of Kindred common stock     -         (922)           -         (922)
    Reversal of contingent
     liability                   -            -            -      (20,164)
    Normalized FFO         $37,696      $31,195      $71,744      $59,056

    Per diluted share:
    Net income               $0.30        $0.20        $0.58        $0.67
    Adjustments:
      Depreciation on real
     estate assets            0.15         0.12         0.28         0.25
    Other items:
      Discontinued operations:
        Depreciation on real
         estate assets           -         0.01            -         0.02
        Loss on sale of real
         estate                  -         0.07            -         0.07
    FFO                       0.45         0.40         0.86         1.01

    Realized gain on sale of
     Kindred common
      Stock                      -        (0.01)           -        (0.01)
    Reversal of contingent
     liability                   -            -            -        (0.26)
    Normalized FFO           $0.45        $0.39        $0.86        $0.74


    Projected FFO per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2004:

                                  NEW GUIDANCE            PRIOR GUIDANCE
                                   Year Ended               Year Ended
                               December 31, 2004        December 31, 2004

    Net income               $1.18    -   $1.22        $1.14   -   $1.18
    Adjustments:
      Depreciation on real
       estate assets          0.57    -    0.57         0.56   -    0.56
    Normalized FFO           $1.75    -   $1.79        $1.70   -   $1.74


Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors have considered presentations of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. To overcome this problem, the Company considers FFO an appropriate measure of performance of an equity REIT and uses the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") definition of FFO. NAREIT defines FFO as net income, computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.

FFO presented herein is not necessarily comparable to FFO presented by other real estate companies due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definition. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP), as an indicator of the Company's financial performance, as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP), as a measure of the Company's liquidity, nor is FFO necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of the Company's needs. The Company believes that in order to facilitate a clear understanding of the consolidated historical operating results of the Company, FFO should be examined in conjunction with net income as presented elsewhere in this Press Release.

Pro Forma Financial Results

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had consummated as of the beginning of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (a) its acquisition of all outstanding common shares of ElderTrust in an all cash transaction valued at $184.0 million, (b) its purchase of a total of 14 independent living or assisted living facilities from certain affiliates of Brookdale Living Communities, Inc., (c) the purchase of the four other acquired properties during the second quarter 2004 and (d) the equity offering of 2.0 million shares of Ventas common stock (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                Three Months               Six Months
                               Ended June 30,            Ended June 30,
                              2004         2003         2004         2003

    Revenues               $60,571      $58,252     $120,026     $115,461
    Net income before
     discontinued
     operations             25,139       18,853       50,080       58,463
    Net income             $25,139      $19,320      $50,080      $59,777

    Earnings per common share:
    Basic:
        Net income before
         discontinued
         operations          $0.30        $0.23        $0.60        $0.72
        Net income           $0.30        $0.24        $0.60        $0.74
    Diluted:
        Net income from
         continuing
         operations          $0.30        $0.23        $0.59        $0.72
        Net income           $0.30        $0.24        $0.59        $0.73

    Shares used in computing
     earnings per
     common share:
        Basic               83,820       80,935       83,595       80,885
        Diluted             84,565       81,575       84,495       81,435


Pro Forma Net Debt to EBITDA

The following pro forma information considers the effect on net income, interest and depreciation as if the Company had consummated the acquisition of the four properties acquired during the second quarter 2004 as of the beginning of the three month period ended June 30, 2004. The following table illustrates pro forma earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and Normalized EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2004 (dollars in thousands):

                                                  Three Months
                                                      Ended
                                                  June 30, 2004

    Pro forma net income                             $25,139
    Add Back:
      Pro forma interest                              18,118
      Pro forma depreciation                          12,329
      Amortization of restricted stock grants            279
    Pro forma EBITDA                                  55,865
    Pro forma annualized EBITDA                     $223,460

    Debt                                            $851,675
      Cash                                            (8,880)
      Restricted cash pertaining to debt              (6,929)
    Net debt                                        $835,866

    Net debt to pro forma annualized EBITDA             3.7x


The Company considers EBITDA a profitability measure which indicates the Company's ability to service debt. Normalized EBITDA excludes income and expense items that are nonrecurring in the Company's core business. The Company considers the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio a useful measure to evaluate the Company's ability to pay its indebtedness. EBITDA presented herein is not necessarily comparable to EBITDA presented by other companies due to the fact that not all companies use the same definition. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP), as an indicator of the Company's financial performance, as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP), as a measure of the Company's liquidity, nor is EBITDA necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of the Company's needs. The Company believes that in order to facilitate a clear understanding of the consolidated historical operating results of the Company, EBITDA should be examined in conjunction with net income as presented elsewhere in this Press Release.

Portfolio of Properties

The following information provides an overview of the Company's portfolio of healthcare properties as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2004 (dollars in thousands):

                         As of and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

    Portfolio        # of         # of               Percent of      # of
     by Type      Properties   Beds/Units   Revenue    Revenue      States

    Healthcare
     properties:
    Skilled nursing
     facilities       201       25,525      $66,571       59.5%          31
    Hospitals          42        3,629       35,539       31.7%          19
    Senior housing
     facilities        27        3,310        8,215        7.3%          12
    Other facilities   11          122        1,625        1.5%           3
      Total           281       32,586     $111,950      100.0%          39
    Other real estate
     investments:
    Loan receivable    25        1,983       $1,511


Kindred Coverage Ratios

The following is based on data provided by Kindred to the Company or obtained from Kindred's public filings. This information reflects Kindred's EBITDARM and EBITDAR coverage by Master Lease:

                        TTM 1                 TTM 1
    Master            EBITDARM               EBITDAR
    Lease            Coverage 3            Coverage 2
    1                    2.8                   2.2
    2                    2.5                   1.9
    3                    1.9                   1.3
    4                    2.0                   1.4
    5                    1.8                   1.4
    Portfolio            2.3                   1.7

    1    Trailing Twelve Months EBITDARM ended March 31, 2004 (the latest
         available data provided by Kindred) to the sum of (a) the Company's
         Trailing Twelve Months cash rental revenue, plus (b) a portion of the
         $8.6 million in annual rental revenue added by the July 1, 2003
         Master Lease amendments, as if it were in effect as of April 1, 2003.

    2    Coverage reflects the ratio of Kindred's EBITDAR to rent.  EBITDAR is
         defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation,
         amortization and rent but after deducting a 5 percent management fee.
         In the calculation of Trailing Twelve Months EBITDAR, intercompany
         profit pertaining to Kindred's new PeopleFirst Rehabilitation
         Division for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 has been eliminated
         from purchased ancillary expenses within the Ventas skilled nursing
         portfolio.

    3    Coverage reflects the ratio of Kindred's EBITDARM to rent.  EBITDARM
         is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation,
         amortization and rent. In the calculation of Trailing Twelve Months
         EBITDARM, intercompany profit pertaining to Kindred's new PeopleFirst
         Rehabilitation Division for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 has been
         eliminated from purchased ancillary expenses within the Ventas
         skilled nursing portfolio.


    Scheduled Maturities of Borrowing Arrangements

    The Company's indebtedness has the following maturities (in thousands):


    2004                         $11,838
    2005                         119,197
    2006                         216,134
    2007                          58,949
    2008                           1,767
    Thereafter                   443,790
      Total                     $851,675

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