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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-026199.txt : 20080423
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-026199.hdr.sgml : 20080423
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080423145227
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-026199
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080422
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080423
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080423

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Bird Christopher M.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001431778

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14057
		FILM NUMBER:		08771522

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		502-596-7300

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

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd203072.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4  APR 22, 2008
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001431778</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Bird Christopher M.</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, Peoplefirst Rehab</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>22.14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-04-22</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-04-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares represent restricted stock granted to the reporting person.  These shares vest in approximately equal annual installments over four years commencing on 4/22/09.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This option becomes exercisable in the following cumulative installments: 2,500 on 4/22/09, 2,500 on 4/22/10 and 2,500 on 4/22/11.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christopher M. Bird</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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