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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 22, 2004

 

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KINDRED HEALTHCARE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		001-14057		61-1323993
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

680 South Fourth Street

Louisville, Kentucky

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

40202-2412

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (502) 596-7300

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

Incorporated by reference is a press release issued by the Company on December 22, 2004, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This information is being furnished under Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of such section.

 

Item 9.01.

 

(c)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated December 22, 2004.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereto duly authorized.

 

Date:		December 23, 2004				By:		/s/    JOSEPH L. LANDENWICH
								Joseph L. Landenwich Senior Vice President of Corporate Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary