HOUSTON-The Ensign Group Inc. has acquired Silver Springs Healthcare Center, a 144-bed skilled nursing facility in Houston, along with Heritage Gardens Healthcare Center, a 140-bed skilled nursing facility in Carrollton, TX.

Headquartered in Mission Viejo, CA, the publicly-traded company made the purchase in cash, according to a press release. With the acquisition, the Ensign Group now owns and operates 17 facilities in Texas.

The two Texas facilities were acquired from a well-regarded long-term care operator that had operated them for several years. At the time of acquisition, the facilities had a combined occupancy rate of 76%.

"These strategic acquisitions further solidify Ensign's presence in key operating markets in Texas," says Barry Port, president of Ensign's Keystone Care subsidiary, which oversees and supports Ensign's Texas assets.

Ensign is actively seeking additional opportunities to acquire both well-performing and struggling long-term care operations across the western United States, according to Christopher Christensen, Ensign's president and CEO. Last year the firm acquired 15 new facilities and one hospice business, which added 1,777 operational beds to its operations.

Today, Ensign's portfolio consists of 81 healthcare facilities located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Texas, Utah and Washington. Ensign owns 51 facilities, along with two hospice companies and a home health business. Ensign affiliates hold purchase options on eight of the 30 leased facilities.