WILLIAM M. ALTMAN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE ACUTE LONG TERM HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
Louisville, KY (November 20, 2007) – Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE:KND) today announced that William M. Altman, the Company’s Senior Vice President, Compliance and Government Programs, was elected President of the Acute Long Term Hospital Association (“ALTHA”).
ALTHA is the Washington-based association for over two-thirds of the nation’s Long-Term Acute Care (“LTAC”) hospitals. ALTHA’s member hospitals provide care to severely ill, medically complex patients who require hospitalization for extended periods of time.
Through his involvement with the association, Mr. Altman has chaired the ALTHA Public Policy Committee. In this role, he was instrumental in leading the development of the policy behind legislation that was passed in the House of Representatives and is pending in the United States Senate that would require patient certification criteria and ensure that only the most medically complex patients would be cared for in LTAC hospitals.
“Working with Frank J. Battafarano, Kindred’s Hospital Division President, Bill led ALTHA’s efforts to advance patient-focused public policy for the post-acute industry and bring providers and policy makers together to create balanced solutions for our long-term care challenges. This is a good example of what public/private partnerships should develop into,” said Paul J. Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “Bill has been an effective and articulate spokesman for our patients and provider community and as President of ALTHA will help communicate and explain the important role LTAC hospitals offer in providing unique and much needed services.”
“ALTHA’s mission is to promote policy initiatives designed to protect patient access to quality long term hospital care,” Mr. Altman said. “Access to these hospitals is crucial to a small but critically-ill population of patients. LTAC hospitals achieve high levels of medical recovery and help many patients return home and prevent readmission to short-term acute care hospitals. I look forward to speaking out on behalf of LTAC hospitals, patients and employees across the country.”
About Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:KND) is a Fortune 500 healthcare services company, based in Louisville, Kentucky, with annual revenues of over $4 billion. Kindred through its subsidiaries operates long-term acute care hospitals, skilled nursing centers and a contract rehabilitation services business, Peoplefirst Rehabilitation Services, in approximately 600 locations in 39 states across the United States. Kindred’s 52,500 employees are committed to providing high quality patient care and outstanding customer service to become the most trusted and respected provider of healthcare services in every community we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com.
CONTACT:
Susan E. Moss
Vice President of Corporate Communications
(502) 596-7296
