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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 I5BOvepU67ly3arFaV86YA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-05-058813.txt : 20051101
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-05-058813.hdr.sgml : 20051101
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051101132202
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-05-058813
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051028
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051101
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051101

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KINDRED HEALTHCARE, INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001060009
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-NURSING & PERSONAL CARE FACILITIES [8050]
		IRS NUMBER:				611323993
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		680 SOUTH FOURTH STREET
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5025967300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		680 SOUTH FOURTH STREET
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40202

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KINDRED HEALTHCARE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20010731

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VENCOR INC /NEW/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19991124

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VENCOR HEALTHCARE INC /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19991124

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DIAZ PAUL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001194247

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14057
		FILM NUMBER:		051169035

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O KINDRED HEALTHCARE INC
		STREET 2:		680 SOUTH FOURTH STREET
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5025967300
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd95187.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4  OCTOBER 28, 05
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-10-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001060009</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KINDRED HEALTHCARE, INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KND</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001194247</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DIAZ PAUL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>680 SOUTH FOURTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOUISVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-10-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>17552</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>28.16</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>332401</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Paul J. Diaz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-10-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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