Richard E. Chapman Appointed to Serve on National Health Information Technology Policy Committee

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(Business Wire)--
Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the "Company" or "Kindred") (NYSE:KND) today announced
that Richard E. Chapman, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative and
Information Officer, was appointed to serve on the Health Information Technology
Policy Committee (the "Committee") at the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. Mr. Chapman was appointed to the Committee by U.S. Senate Republican
Leader Mitch McConnell (KY).

The Health Information Technology Policy Committee is a new federal advisory
body established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide
"recommendations on standards, implementation specifications, and certifications
criteria in eight specific areas." The 20-member Committee will make
recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on
creating a policy framework for the development and adoption of a nationwide
health information technology infrastructure, including standards for the
exchange of patient medical information.

Mr. Chapman has served as the Company`s Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative and Information Officer since February 2005. He joined the
Company in October 1997 as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer.
Prior to joining Kindred Healthcare, Mr. Chapman served as the Chief Information
Officer for Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation and has extensive experience in
the implementation of electronic medical records systems.

"I am honored that I was asked to serve on this Committee and I look forward to
working with the other Committee members to create standards which will
ultimately lead to better healthcare for all Americans," Mr. Chapman said.
"Through our membership in industry trade organizations representing the
spectrum of the healthcare continuum, Kindred has long been an advocate of the
importance of health information technology in long-term and post-acute care."
Kindred is a member of the American Hospital Association, American Health Care
Association, Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, Acute Long Term Hospital
Association and Federation of American Hospitals.

"We`re proud and pleased that Rick will be involved in the discussions to
advance healthcare information technology to help improve America`s healthcare
delivery system with his broad understanding of both acute and post-acute care,"
said Paul J. Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "Rick
has helped build a world-class Information Technology department at Kindred,
which has provided us with the information necessary to help Kindred become the
largest and most diversified post-acute provider in the nation."

About Kindred Healthcare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. is a healthcare services company, based in Louisville,
Kentucky, with annual revenues of over $4 billion and approximately 54,800
employees in 40 states. At March 31, 2009, Kindred through its subsidiaries
provided healthcare services in 661 locations, including 82 long-term acute care
hospitals, 228 skilled nursing centers and a contract rehabilitation services
business, Peoplefirst rehabilitation services, which served 351 non-affiliated
facilities. Ranked first in Fortune magazine`s Most Admired Companies "Health
Care: Medical Facilities" category, Kindred`s mission is to promote healing,
provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident,
family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve. For more
information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com.

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
Susan E. Moss
Vice President, Communications
502-596-7296

Copyright Business Wire 2009