HEALTH

Healthsouth to Buy NovaCare Unit: According to the definitive agreement, Healthsouth Corp., the nation’s largest rehabilitative health care provider, will offer $215 million in cash and assume $20 million in liabilities for NovaCare Inc.’s entire rehabilitation hospital division, the companies said. The deal will boost the operations of Birmingham, Ala.-based Healthsouth to nearly 450 locations, of which 67 will be free-standing rehabilitation hospitals with 4,996 rehabilitation beds. Healthsouth operates in 33 states; Washington, D.C., and Ontario, Canada. The NovaCare division of King of Prussia, Pa.-based NovaCare consists of 11 rehabilitation hospitals in seven states, 12 other rehabilitation facilities and regulatory approval to build hospitals in two states.