Edgar Filing: KINDRED HEALTHCARE INC

PROSPECTUS

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-69646

[Kindred Logo]

KINDRED HEALTHCARE, INC.

8,119,376 Shares of Common Stock

1,451,234 Series A Warrants

3,628,083 Series B Warrants

1,451,234 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise
of the Series A Warrants

3,628,083 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise
of the Series B Warrants
_______________

The selling security holders identified in this prospectus may offer, from
time to time, up to 8,119,376 shares of our common stock, 1,451,234 Series A
warrants and 3,628,083 Series B warrants, each warrant evidencing the right to
purchase one share of our common stock, 1,451,234 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the Series A warrants and 3,628,083 shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise of the Series B warrants. See "Principal and
Selling Security Holders." The Series A and Series B warrants have identical
terms, except for the exercise price, which is $30.00 per share for the Series A
warrants and $33.33 per share for the Series B warrants, subject to adjustment
in each case. We refer to the Series A and Series B warrants collectively as
the warrants.

On April 20, 2001, we emerged from bankruptcy and pursuant to our Fourth
Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization on that date we issued 15,000,000 shares of
our common stock, 2,000,000 Series A warrants and 5,000,000 Series B warrants to
certain claimholders under the Plan, including the selling security holders.

The selling security holders may sell these securities from time to time
directly to purchasers or through agents, underwriters or dealers. In addition,
shares held by one or more of the selling security holders may be distributed to
its shareholders as a stock dividend or other distribution of assets. If
required, the names of any other selling security holders, agents or
underwriters involved in the sale of these securities and the applicable agent's
commission, dealer's purchase price or underwriter's discount, if any, will be
set forth in a supplement to this prospectus. The selling security holders will
receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock and
warrants and will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if
any, applicable to such sale. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the
sale of these securities, although we will receive proceeds upon exercise of the
warrants.

The selling security holders and participating brokers or dealers, if any,
may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, in
which event any profit on the sale of shares of common stock and warrants by
those selling security holders and any commissions or discounts received by
those brokers or dealers, if any, may be deemed to be underwriting compensation
under the Securities Act.

Our common stock and the Series A and Series B warrants are quoted on The
Nasdaq National Market under the symbols "KIND," "KINDW" and "KINDZ." On
November 28, 2001, the reported last sale prices for the common stock and the
Series A and Series B warrants on The Nasdaq National Market were $49.05 per
share of common stock, $20.00 per Series A warrant and $20.00 per Series B
warrant.

Investing in our common stock and warrants involves risks. See "Risk
Factors" on page 5.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is November 29, 2001.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
----

Prospectus Summary...................... 1
Risk Factors............................ 5
Forward-Looking Statements.............. 12
Use of Proceeds......................... 14
Price Range of Common Stock............. 14
Dividend Policy......................... 14
Capitalization.......................... 15
Business................................ 16
Management.............................. 43
Principal and Selling Security Holders.. 46
Description of Capital Stock............ 49
Securities Eligible for Future Sale..... 52
Plan of Distribution.................... 53
Legal Matters........................... 54
Experts................................. 54
Where You Can Find More Information..... 55

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This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we have filed
with the SEC using a "shelf registration" process. You should read both this
prospectus and any supplement together with additional information described
under "Where You Can Find More Information."

You should rely only on the information contained in this document or any
supplement or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with information that is different. This document may only be used
where it is legal to sell these securities. The information in this document or
any supplement may only be accurate on the date on the front of such documents.

All references in this prospectus to "Kindred," "our company," "we," "us"
or "our" mean Kindred Healthcare, Inc. and, unless the context otherwise
requires, its consolidated subsidiaries. For periods prior to May 1, 1998, such
terms refer to the company's business as it was conducted by Ventas, Inc. On
that date Ventas completed the spin-off of its healthcare operations by
distributing shares of our pre-reorganization common stock to its stockholders
while retaining substantially all of its real estate assets.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus
or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary
does not contain all of the information that you should consider before
investing in the common stock or warrants. You should read carefully the entire
prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus, especially the risks of investing in the common stock and warrants
discussed under "Risk Factors."

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

We are one of the largest providers of long-term healthcare services in the
United States based on revenues. Our health services division provides long-
term care services by operating nursing centers and a rehabilitation therapy
business, and our hospital division provides long-term acute care services by
operating hospitals and an institutional pharmacy business. As of September 30,
2001, we operated:

. 314 nursing centers with 40,355 licensed beds in 32 states, making us
the fourth largest operator of nursing centers in the United States, and

. 56 hospitals with 4,867 licensed beds in 23 states, including 52 long-
term acute care hospitals, making us the largest operator of such
hospitals in the United States.

Competitive Strengths

Premier Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Operator. Since opening our first
hospital in 1985, we have grown into the largest network of long-term acute care
hospitals in the United States based on revenues. As a result of our commitment
to the long-term acute care business and our comprehensive program of care for
medically complex patients, we believe that we are the premier operator of long-
term acute care hospitals in the United States.

Proven Management Team. Our senior management team has an average of 22
years of experience in the healthcare industry, offering a breadth of experience
in the operation of nursing centers and long-term acute care hospitals.

Geographic Diversity and Independent Business Lines. We believe the
geographic diversity of our nursing centers and hospitals and two independent
business lines reduce our exposure to any single state Medicaid reimbursement
source and adverse regional and local economic conditions.

Economies of Scale. In addition to operating the largest network of long-
term acute care hospitals in the United States, we are the fourth largest
operator of nursing centers in the United States based on revenues. The scale
of our operations allows us to achieve cost efficiencies and gives us an
advantage in negotiating contracts with suppliers, vendors, commercial insurers
and other third parties. Due to our size, we have the ability to centralize
various administrative services and spread the costs of these services over our
entire base of operations.

Health Services Division

Through our nursing centers, we provide residents with long-term care
services, a full range of pharmacy, medical and clinical services and routine
services, including daily dietary, social and recreational services. We

also provide rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and
speech therapies. In addition, we believe that we are a leading provider of
care for patients with Alzheimer's disease, offering specialized programs at
more than 80 nursing centers for patients suffering from this disease.

The principal elements of our health services division strategy are:

Providing Quality, Clinical-Based Services. The health services division
is focused on qualitative and quantitative clinical performance indicators with
the goal of providing quality care under the cost containment objectives imposed
by government and private payors.

Enhancing Sales and Marketing Programs. The health services division
intends to increase our nursing center patient volumes through enhanced sales
and marketing programs and improved relationships with local referral sources.

Increasing Operating Efficiency. The health services division continually
seeks to improve operating efficiency with a view to maintaining high quality
care in an environment that demands an increasingly greater control of costs.
We believe that operating efficiency is critical in maintaining our position as
a leading provider of nursing center services in the United States.

Managing Efficient Delivery of Ancillary Services. The health services
division realigned and refocused its ancillary services business in response to
the decline in the demand for ancillary services that followed the
implementation of the prospective payment system in 1998. Today, our nursing
centers generally provide ancillary services to their patients through the use
of internal staff. We are continuing to refine the delivery of ancillary
services to external customers to maintain profitability under the cost
constraints of the prospective payment system.

Hospital Division

In our hospitals, we primarily provide long-term acute care services to
medically complex patients who are suffering from multiple systemic failures or
conditions such as neurological disorders, head injuries, brain stem and spinal
cord trauma, cerebral vascular accidents, chemical brain injuries, central
nervous system disorders and developmental anomalies. In particular, we have a
core competency in treating patients with pulmonary disorders. Medically
complex patients often are dependent on technology for continued life support,
and approximately 50% of the hospital division's patients are ventilator-
dependent for some period of time during their hospitalization.

The principal elements of our hospital division strategy are:

Maintaining High Quality of Care. The hospital division seeks to
differentiate its hospitals through its ability to care for medically complex
patients in a high-quality, cost-effective setting. We are committed to
maintaining and improving the quality of our patient care by dedicating
appropriate resources to each facility and refining our clinical initiatives.

Improving Operating Efficiency. The hospital division is continuously
focused on improving operating efficiency with a view to maintaining quality
patient care in an environment that demands an increasingly greater control of
costs. Our hospital division seeks to improve operating efficiencies by
standardizing its operations and optimizing the skill mix of its staff based on
the hospital's occupancy and the clinical needs of its patients.

Growing Through Business Development and Acquisitions. Our growth
strategy is focused on the development and expansion of our services, including
opportunities to establish new hospital-in-hospital and pulmonary units in
hospitals operated by third parties. We believe that we are well positioned to
acquire or develop new free-standing hospitals and selectively pursue other
strategic opportunities.

Expanding Breadth of Industry Leadership. We are the leading provider of
long-term acute care to patients with pulmonary dysfunction. However, we also
deliver other services in areas such as wound care, surgery, acute
rehabilitation and pain management. We intend to broaden our expertise beyond
pulmonary services and to leverage our leadership position in pulmonary care to
expand our market strength to other clinical services.

Increasing Higher Margin Commercial Volume. Historically, we have
received higher reimbursement rates from commercial insurers than we have from
the Medicare and Medicaid programs. As a result, we work to expand
relationships with insurers to increase commercial patient volume.

Other Information

From September 13, 1999 until April 20, 2001, we operated as a debtor-in-
possession under the jurisdiction of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
District of Delaware. On April 20, 2001, our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization became effective and we emerged from bankruptcy with our current
capital structure, amended master lease agreements with Ventas, Inc., from whom
we lease 210 nursing centers and 44 hospitals, and a new board of directors. In
connection with our emergence from bankruptcy, we also changed our name to
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

In connection with our emergence from bankruptcy, we adopted fresh-start
accounting on April 1, 2001 which materially changed the amounts previously
recorded in our consolidated financial statements. We believe that business
segment operating income before and after our reorganization is generally
comparable. However, capital costs such as rent, interest, depreciation and
amortization are not comparable. In addition, our reported financial position
and cash flows for periods prior to April 1, 2001 generally are not comparable
to those for periods after that date.
--------------------
Our principal executive office is located at 680 South Fourth Street,
Louisville, Kentucky 40202 and our telephone number is (502) 596-7300. Our Web
site is located at www.kindredhealthcare.com. We are not incorporating by
reference in this document any material from our Web site. The reference above
to our Web site is an inactive textual reference to the uniform resource locator
(URL) and is for your reference only.

The Offering

Common stock offered by selling security holders........... 8,119,376 shares

Warrants offered by selling security holders............... 1,451,234 Series A warrants
3,628,083 Series B warrants
Common stock issuable upon exercise of Series A
warrants offered by selling security holders............... 1,451,234 shares

Common stock issuable upon exercise of Series B
warrants offered by selling security holders............... 3,628,083 shares

Use of proceeds............................................ We will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of the shares of common stock or warrants by
the selling security holders. We would
receive an aggregate of approximately $164.5
million in proceeds if all the warrants held
by the selling security holders were
exercised. We intend to use any proceeds from
the exercise of the warrants, after deduction
of related expenses, for working capital and
general corporate purposes.

Trading.................................................... Our common stock and the Series A and Series
B warrants are quoted on The Nasdaq National
Market under the symbols "KIND," "KINDW" and
"KINDZ."

Risk factors............................................... See "Risk Factors" and other information
included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus for a discussion of factors you
should carefully consider before deciding to
invest in our common stock or warrants.

As of September 30, 2001, 15,605,882 shares of our common stock were
outstanding. The common stock outstanding after this offering does not include:

. 1,998,083 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
Series A warrants with an exercise price of $30.00 per share,

. 4,996,035 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
Series B warrants with an exercise price of $33.33 per share,

. 1,600,000 shares reserved for issuance under our stock option plans,
under which options to purchase 958,400 shares were outstanding as of
September 30, 2001 at a weighted average exercise price of $33.69 per
share, and

. 1,750,000 shares that we issued in an underwritten offering completed on
November 14, 2001 and up to 487,035 additional shares that we may issue
to the underwriters for that offering to cover over-allotments of shares.

As of September 30, 2001, 1,998,083 Series A warrants and 4,996,035 Series
B warrants were outstanding.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock and warrants involves a number of risks,
some of which, including market, liquidity, credit, operational, legal and
regulatory risks, could be substantial and are inherent in our businesses.
Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or that we currently deem
immaterial may impair our business operations. You should carefully consider
the following information about these risks, together with the other information
in this prospectus, before buying shares of our common stock or warrants.

Changes in the reimbursement rates or methods of payment from third-party
payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs, or the implementation of
other measures to reduce reimbursement for our services could result in a
substantial reduction in our revenues and operating margins.

We depend on reimbursement from third-party payors, including the Medicare
and Medicaid programs, for substantially all of our revenues. For the nine
months ended September 30, 2001, we derived approximately 70% of our total
revenues from the Medicare and Medicaid programs and approximately 30% from
private third-party payors, such as commercial insurance companies, health
maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and contracted
providers.

The Medicare and Medicaid programs are highly regulated and subject to
frequent and substantial changes. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which
established a plan to balance the federal budget by fiscal year 2002, contained
extensive changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs intended to reduce
significantly the projected amount of increase in payments under those programs.
The Balanced Budget Act, among other things:

. substantially reduced Medicare reimbursement payments to our nursing
centers by establishing a prospective payment system covering
substantially all services provided to Medicare patients, including
ancillary services such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, speech therapy and certain covered pharmaceuticals,

. reduced payments made to our hospitals by reducing the Tax Equity and
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, or TEFRA, incentive payments,
allowable costs for capital expenditures and bad debts, and payments for
services to patients transferred from a general acute care hospital, and

. repealed the federal payment standard for Medicaid reimbursement levels
often referred to as the "Boren Amendment" for hospitals and nursing
facilities.

Congress has directed the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services to develop a prospective payment system applicable specifically
to long-term acute care hospitals by October 1, 2001. The new prospective
payment system would be effective for cost report periods beginning on or after
October 1, 2002. This payment system would not impact us until September 1,
2003. To date, the Secretary has not proposed such a prospective payment
system. Congress has further directed that if the Secretary is unable to
implement a prospective payment system specific to long-term acute care
hospitals by October 1, 2002, the Secretary shall instead implement, as of such
date, a prospective payment system for long-term acute care hospitals based upon
existing hospital diagnosis-related groups modified where feasible to account
for resource use of long-term acute care hospital patients. We cannot predict
the content or timing of such regulations. We cannot assure you that such
regulations will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition
and results of operations.

There also continue to be legislative and regulatory proposals that would
impose further limitations on government and private payments to healthcare
providers. By repealing the Boren Amendment, the Balanced Budget Act eased
existing impediments on the ability of states to reduce their Medicaid
reimbursement levels. In some cases, states have enacted or are considering
enacting measures that are designed to reduce their Medicaid expenditures and to
make certain changes to private healthcare insurance.

In addition, private third-party payors are continuing their efforts to
control healthcare costs through direct contracts with healthcare providers,
increased utilization review and greater enrollment in managed care programs and
preferred provider organizations. These private payors increasingly are
demanding discounted fee structures and the assumption by healthcare providers
of all or a portion of the financial risk.

We could be adversely affected by the continuing efforts of governmental
and private third-party payors to contain the amount of reimbursement we receive
for healthcare services. We cannot assure you that reimbursement payments under
governmental and private third-party payor programs will remain at levels
comparable to present levels or will be sufficient to cover the costs allocable
to patients eligible for reimbursement pursuant to such programs. Future
changes in the reimbursement rates or methods of third-party payors, including
the Medicare and Medicaid programs, or the implementation of other measures to
reduce reimbursement for our services could result in a substantial reduction in
our net operating revenues. Our operating margins may continue to be under
pressure because of deterioration in pricing flexibility, changes in payor mix
and growth in operating expenses in excess of increases in payments by third-
party payors. In addition, as a result of competitive pressures, our ability to
maintain operating margins through price increases to private patients is
limited. See "Business--Government Regulation."

Our failure to pay rent, or Ventas' exercise of its right to reset the annual
aggregate minimum rent, under the Master Lease Agreements could materially
adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

We currently lease 210 of our 314 nursing centers and 44 of our 56
hospitals from Ventas under four Master Lease Agreements. Our failure to pay
the rent or otherwise comply with a material provision of any of our Master
Lease Agreements with Ventas would result in an "Event of Default" under such
Master Lease Agreement. Upon an Event of Default, remedies available to Ventas
include, without limitation, terminating such Master Lease Agreement,
repossessing and reletting the leased properties and requiring us to remain
liable for all obligations under such Master Lease Agreement, including the
difference between the rent under such Master Lease Agreement and the rent
payable as a result of reletting the leased properties, or requiring us to pay
the net present value of the rent due for the balance of the term of such Master
Lease Agreement. The exercise of such remedies could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and our business.

In addition, the Master Lease Agreements provide Ventas with a one-time
option, that may be exercised by Ventas within one year from July 2006, to reset
the annual aggregate minimum rent under one or more of the Master Lease
Agreements to the then current fair market rental of the relevant leased
properties in exchange for a payment to us. Accordingly, if the operations or
value of our leased properties improve, the relevant fair market rental likewise
may increase over the current rental if the option is exercised. If Ventas were
to exercise this option, the potential increase in our annual aggregate minimum
rent payments could be so substantial as to have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations. See "Business--Master Lease
Agreements."

We could experience significant increases to our operating costs due to
shortages in qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The market for qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals is
highly competitive. We, like other healthcare providers, have experienced
difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified personnel such as nurses,
certified nurse's assistants, nurse's aides and other important providers of
healthcare. Our hospitals are particularly dependent on nurses for patient
care. Salaries, wages and benefits were approximately 57% of our revenues for
the three months ended September 30, 2001. The difficulty our nursing centers
and hospitals are experiencing in hiring and retaining qualified personnel has
increased our average wage rate and forced us to increase our use of contract
nursing personnel. We may continue to experience increases in our labor costs
primarily due to higher wages and greater benefits required to attract and
retain qualified healthcare personnel. Our ability to control labor costs will
significantly affect our future operating results.

We operate 18 nursing centers in the State of Florida. The State of
Florida recently enacted legislation establishing certain minimum staffing
requirements for nursing centers operating in that state. Beginning January 1,
2002, each Florida nursing center must satisfy certain minimum hours of direct
care per resident per day by both licensed nurses and certified nursing
assistants and certain minimum staff/patient ratios for both licensed nurses and
certified nurse assistants. The implementation of these staffing requirements
in Florida is not contingent upon any additional appropriation of state funds in
any budget act or other statute. Other states in which we operate nursing
centers also may establish minimum staffing requirements in the future. Our
ability to satisfy such staffing requirements will depend upon our ability to
attract and retain the qualified nurses, certified nurse assistants and other
staff. Failure to comply with such minimum staffing requirements may result in
the imposition of fines or other sanctions. If states do not appropriate
sufficient additional funds (through Medicaid program appropriations

or otherwise) to pay for any additional operating costs resulting from such
minimum staffing requirements, our profitability may be adversely affected.

We may not be able to meet our substantial rent and debt service requirements.

A substantial portion of our cash flows from operations is dedicated to the
payment of rents related to our leased properties as well as interest on our
outstanding indebtedness of $302 million at September 30, 2001. If we are unable
to generate sufficient funds to meet our obligations, we may be required to
refinance, restructure or otherwise amend some or all of such obligations, sell
assets or raise additional cash through the sale of our equity. We cannot assure
you that such restructuring activities, sales of assets or issuances of equity
can be accomplished or, if accomplished, would raise sufficient funds to meet
these obligations. Our high degree of leverage and related financial covenants:

. require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to payments
on our rent and interest obligations, thereby reducing the availability
of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other
general corporate activities,

. require us to pledge as collateral substantially all of our assets, and

. require us to maintain certain debt coverage and financial ratios at
specified levels, thereby reducing our financial flexibility.

These provisions:

. could have a material adverse effect on our ability to withstand
competitive pressures or adverse economic conditions (including adverse
regulatory changes),

. could affect adversely our ability to make material acquisitions, obtain
future financing or take advantage of business opportunities that may
arise, and

. increase our vulnerability to a downturn in general economic conditions
or in our business.

If we fail to cultivate new or maintain established relationships with the
referral sources in our markets, our revenues may decline.

Our success, in large part, is dependent upon the admissions and referrals
from physicians and other healthcare providers in the communities that our
hospitals and nursing centers serve, and our ability to maintain good relations
with these referral sources. Physicians referring patients to our hospitals are
generally not our employees and, in many of the markets that we serve, most
physicians have admitting privileges at other hospitals and are free to refer
their patients to other providers. If we are unable to successfully cultivate
and maintain strong relationships with these referral sources, the admissions at
our hospitals and nursing centers may decrease and cause revenues to decline.

Significant legal actions, particularly in the State of Florida, could subject
us to increased operating costs and substantial uninsured liabilities, which
could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and
results of operations.

We have experienced substantial increases in both the number and size of
patient care liability claims in recent years. In addition to large
compensatory claims, plaintiffs' attorneys increasingly are seeking significant
punitive damages and attorney's fees. As a result, general and professional
liability costs have become increasingly expensive and unpredictable.

We operate 18 nursing centers and seven hospitals in the State of Florida.
In Florida, general liability and professional liability costs for the long-term
care industry have become increasingly expensive and difficult to estimate.
Industry statistics show that Florida long-term care providers:

. incur more than four times the number of general liability claims per
patient day as compared to the rest of the country,

. pay an average claim approximately three times higher in amount than
elsewhere in the country, and

. incur 44% of the total general liability losses for the entire country,
but represent only approximately 10% of the total nursing facility beds.

Many insurance companies are exiting the State of Florida or severely
restricting their underwriting of long-term care general liability insurance in
that state. Insurers have decided that they cannot provide coverage when faced
with the magnitude of losses and the explosive growth of claims in that state.
Accordingly, our overall general liability costs per bed in Florida are
substantially higher than other states and continue to escalate. The Florida
legislature recently has enacted certain tort reforms relating to professional
liability claims. We are currently unable to determine what impact, if any,
this legislation may have on our claims experience in Florida.

We insure our professional liability risks primarily through a wholly-
owned, limited purpose insurance company. The limited purpose insurance company
insures initial losses up to specified coverage levels per occurrence and in the
aggregate. Coverages for losses in excess of those levels are maintained
through unaffiliated commercial insurance carriers. Effective November 30,
2000, the limited purpose insurance company insures all claims arising in
Florida up to a per occurrence limit without the benefit of any aggregate
coverage limit through unaffiliated commercial insurance carriers. We maintain
general liability insurance and professional malpractice liability insurance in
amounts and with deductibles that management believes are sufficient for our
operations. However, our insurance coverage might not cover all claims against
us or continue to be available to us at a reasonable cost. If we are unable to
maintain adequate insurance coverage or are required to pay punitive damages, we
may be exposed to substantial liabilities. We also are subject to lawsuits
under a federal whistleblower statute designed to combat fraud and abuse in the
healthcare industry. These lawsuits can involve significant monetary and award
bounties to private plaintiffs who successfully bring these suits. See
"Business--Legal Proceedings."

We conduct business in a heavily regulated industry, and changes in regulations
or violations of regulations may result in increased costs or sanctions that
reduce our revenues and profitability.

In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject regularly to
inquiries, investigations and audits by federal and state agencies that oversee
healthcare regulations.

The extensive federal, state and local regulations affecting the healthcare
industry include, but are not limited to, regulations relating to licensure,
conduct of operations, ownership of facilities, addition of facilities,
allowable costs, services and prices for services. See "Business--Government
Regulation." In particular, various laws including, antikickback, antifraud and
abuse amendments codified under the Social Security Act, prohibit certain
business practices and relationships that might affect the provision and cost of
healthcare services reimbursable under Medicare and Medicaid, including the
payment or receipt of remuneration for the referral of patients whose care will
be paid by Medicare or other governmental programs. Sanctions for violating the
antikickback, antifraud and abuse amendments under the Social Security Act
include criminal penalties and civil sanctions, including fines and possible
exclusion from government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

In addition, the Social Security Act broadly defines the scope of
prohibited physician referrals under the Medicare and Medicaid programs to
providers with which they have ownership or certain other financial
arrangements. Many states have adopted or are considering similar legislative
proposals, some of which extend beyond the Medicaid program, to prohibit the
payment or receipt of remuneration for the referral of patients and physician
self-referrals regardless of the source of the payment for the care. These laws
and regulations are complex and limited judicial or regulatory interpretation
exists. We cannot assure you that governmental officials charged with
responsibility for enforcing the provisions of these laws and regulations will
not assert that one or more of our arrangements are in violation of the
provisions of such laws and regulations.

deficiencies and other regulatory sanctions, including terminations from the
Medicare and Medicaid programs, bars on Medicare and Medicaid payments for new
admissions and civil monetary penalties. If we fail to comply with the extensive
laws and regulations applicable to our businesses, we could become ineligible to
receive government program reimbursement, suffer civil or criminal penalties or
be required to make significant changes to our operations. In addition, we could
be forced to expend considerable resources responding to an investigation or
other enforcement action under these laws or regulations. Furthermore, should we
lose licenses for a number of our facilities as a result of regulatory action or
otherwise, we could be in default under our Master Lease Agreements and our
credit agreements. See "Risk Factors--We may not be able to meet our substantial
rent and debt service requirements."

We are unable to predict the future course of federal, state and local
regulation or legislation, including Medicare and Medicaid statutes and
regulations, or the intensity of federal and state enforcement actions. Changes
in the regulatory framework and sanctions from various enforcement actions could
have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results
of operations.

If we fail to attract patients and residents and compete effectively with other
healthcare providers, our revenues and profitability may decline.

The long-term healthcare services industry is highly competitive. Our
nursing centers compete on a local and regional basis with other nursing centers
and other long-term healthcare providers. Some of our competitors' facilities
are located in newer buildings and may offer services not provided by us or are
operated by entities having greater financial and other resources than us. Our
hospitals face competition from general acute care hospitals and long-term
hospitals that provide services comparable to those offered by our hospitals.
Many competing general acute care hospitals are larger and more established than
our hospitals. We may experience increased competition from existing hospitals
as well as hospitals converted, in whole or in part, to specialized care
facilities.

The long-term industry is divided into a variety of competitive areas that
market similar services. These competitors include nursing centers, hospitals,
extended care centers, assisted living facilities, home health agencies and
similar institutions. Our facilities generally operate in communities that also
are served by similar facilities operated by our competitors. Certain of our
competitors are operated by not-for-profit, non-taxpaying or governmental
agencies that can finance capital expenditures on a tax-exempt basis and that
receive funds and charitable contributions unavailable to us. Our facilities
compete based on factors such as our reputation for quality care; the commitment
and expertise of our staff and physicians; the quality and comprehensiveness of
our treatment programs; charges for services; and the physical appearance,
location and condition of our facilities. We also compete with other companies
in providing rehabilitation therapy services and institutional pharmacy
services. Many of these competing companies have greater financial and other
resources than we have. We cannot assure you that increased competition in the
future will not adversely affect our financial condition and results of
operations.

We have limited operational flexibility since we lease substantially all of our
facilities.

We lease substantially all of our facilities from Ventas and other third
parties. Under our leases, we generally are required to operate continuously
our leased properties as a provider of healthcare services. In addition, these
leases generally limit or restrict our ability to assign the lease to another
party. Our failure to comply with these lease provisions would result in an
event of default under the leases and subject us to material damages. Given
these restrictions, we may be forced to continue operating non-profitable
facilities to avoid defaults under our leases. See "Business--Master Lease
Agreements."

If we fail to comply with our Corporate Integrity Agreement, we could be subject
to severe sanctions.

On August 8, 2000, we entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the
Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
to promote our compliance with the requirements of Medicare, Medicaid and all
other federal healthcare programs. On April 20, 2001, our Corporate Integrity
Agreement became effective. Under the Corporate Integrity Agreement, we must
implement a comprehensive internal quality improvement program and a system of
internal financial controls in our nursing centers, long-term hospitals and
regional and corporate offices. We are also subject to extensive reporting
requirements under the Corporate Integrity Agreement pursuant to which we must
inform the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services of (1) the findings of our internal audit and review program, (2)
any investigations or legal proceedings brought or conducted by any governmental
entity involving an allegation that we

have committed any crime or engaged in any fraudulent activity, (3) any billing,
reporting or other practices or policies that have resulted in our receipt of
any substantial overpayment under any federal healthcare program and the
corresponding corrective plan that we have implemented, (4) certain "material
deficiencies" as defined in the Corporate Integrity Agreement, and (5) other
compliance-related matters addressed in the Corporate Integrity Agreement. The
Corporate Integrity Agreement will be effective for five years. A breach of the
Corporate Integrity Agreement could subject us to substantial monetary penalties
and exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Any such
sanctions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations. See "Business--Corporate Integrity Agreement."

Financial information related to our post-emergence operations is limited.

Since we emerged from bankruptcy on April 20, 2001, there is limited
operating and financial data available from which to analyze our operating
results and cash flows based on the terms of our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization. As a result of fresh-start accounting, you also will be unable
to compare information reflecting our results of operations and financial
condition after our emergence to prior periods.

Future acquisitions may use significant resources, may be unsuccessful and could
expose us to unforeseen liabilities.

As part of our growth strategy, we intend to selectively pursue
acquisitions of nursing centers, long-term acute care hospitals, pharmacies and
other related healthcare operations. Acquisitions may involve significant cash
expenditures, debt incurrence, additional operating losses, amortization of the
intangible assets of acquired companies, dilutive issuances of equity securities
and expenses that could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations. Acquisitions involve numerous risks,
including:

. difficulties integrating acquired operations, personnel and information
systems,

. diversion of management's time from existing operations,

. potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired companies, and

. assumption of the liabilities and exposure to unforeseen liabilities of
acquired companies, including liabilities for failure to comply with
healthcare regulations.

We cannot assure you that we will succeed in obtaining financing for
acquisitions at a reasonable cost, or that such financing will not contain
restrictive covenants that limit our operating flexibility. We also may be
unable to operate acquired facilities profitably or succeed in achieving
improvements in their financial performance.

Competition may limit our ability to acquire nursing centers and hospitals and
adversely affect our growth.

We face competition in acquiring nursing centers and long-term acute care
hospitals. Our competitors may acquire or seek to acquire many of the
facilities that would be suitable acquisition candidates for us. This could
limit our ability to grow by acquisitions or increase the cost of our
acquisitions.

Holders of our common stock or warrants may face a lack of liquidity and an
absence of an active market for our common stock and warrants.

Our common stock has traded on the OTC Bulletin Board only since April 26,
2001, and the Series A and Series B warrants have traded on the OTC Bulletin
Board only since April 27, 2001. As a result, there was a very limited trading
market for our common stock and warrants. Our common stock and the Series A and
Series B warrants started being quoted on The Nasdaq National Market on November
8, 2001, but we cannot assure you that an active market will develop or be
sustained there.

Even if an active market for our common stock or the warrants develops, it
may be subject to disruptions that will make it difficult or impossible for the
holders of our common stock or warrants to sell shares or warrants at a time
they would like, and they may be unable to sell them at all. Moreover, the
shares of our common stock and our warrants are owned of record by a relatively
small number of holders, which may contribute to a lack of liquidity in the
market for our common stock and warrants. Additionally, in recent years, the
stock market has experienced a high level of price and volume volatility and
market prices for the stock of many companies (particularly of companies the
common stock of which trades in the over-the-counter market) have experienced
wide price fluctuations that have not necessarily been related to the operating
performance or prospects of such companies.

The rights of holders of our common stock may be negatively affected by the
issuance of preferred stock.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the board
of directors, without the approval of the holders of the common stock, to issue
preferred stock in one or more series which has voting, dividend or liquidation
rights superior to the common stock and which may adversely affect the rights of
holders of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could, among other
things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and
could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of the company.

A significant number of our shares and warrants are or will be eligible for
future sale, which may cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or warrants in
the public market or the exercise of substantial number of options or warrants
to purchase shares of our common stock, or the perception that such sales or
exercises might occur, could cause the market price of our common stock or
warrants to decline. As of September 30, 2001, 15,605,882 shares of our common
stock, 1,998,083 Series A warrants and 4,996,035 Series B warrants were
outstanding. Of these shares, all but 400,000 shares will be freely tradeable
without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
unless the shares are owned by one of our "affiliates," as that term is defined
in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. An additional 1,600,000 shares may be
issued in the future upon exercise of options granted and to be granted under
our stock option plans. We issued 1,750,000 shares in an underwritten offering
that was completed on November 14, 2001, and we may issue up to 487,035
additional shares to the underwriters for that offering to cover over-allotments
of shares. These shares have been registered under the Securities Act and,
therefore, will be freely tradeable when issued (subject to the volume
limitations and other conditions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, in the
case of shares to be sold by our affiliates). An aggregate of 6,994,118 shares
of our common stock are reserved for issuance upon exercise of our outstanding
Series A and Series B warrants. All of these warrants, which are currently
exercisable, and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of these
warrants are freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under
the Securities Act, unless the warrants or shares are owned by one of our
"affiliates," as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Under the terms of a registration rights agreement with Appaloosa
Management L.P., Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Ventas
Realty, Limited Partnership, which collectively hold 8,119,376 shares of our
common stock and Series A and Series B warrants to purchase an aggregate of
5,079,317 shares of our common stock, we are obligated to file a shelf
registration statement with respect to such common stock and warrants. This
prospectus is part of the registration statement that is the shelf registration
statement. In addition, under this agreement, these holders have demand and
piggy-back registration rights. However, under the terms of this agreement,
these security holders may not sell common stock or warrants pursuant to the
shelf registration statement, and we are not obligated to register any shares or
warrants held by these security holders upon their request, in each case for the
period from seven days prior to, through and including the 90th day after, the
effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such
offering in which such security holders were permitted to participate. We
completed such an offering on November 14, 2001, and the date of the prospectus
for that offering was November 7, 2001. After the expiration of this period,
these security holders may demand that we register all or any portion of their
shares or warrants and may sell their shares or warrants pursuant to an
effective shelf registration statement at any time. Those security holders who
are party to the registration rights agreement may be deemed to be
"underwriters" under Section 1145. As an exception to this restriction on sales
for purposes of the underwritten offering, Ventas may (but is not obligated to)
distribute up to 350,000 shares of our common stock to Ventas stockholders on or
after December 24, 2001, and such stockholders may resell such shares.

Because certain of our significant stockholders collectively own more than 50%
of our common stock, they will be able to determine the outcome of all matters
submitted to our stockholders for approval, regardless of the preferences of the
minority stockholders.

After completion of the sale of shares offered by selling security holders
pursuant to the underwritten offering, Appaloosa Management L.P. and its
affiliates, Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and its
affiliates, and Stephen Feinberg together beneficially own approximately
57.8% of our outstanding common stock, and will own approximately 56.6% if the
underwriters for the underwritten offering exercise their over-allotment option
in full. As long as these stockholders together have the right to vote a
majority of our outstanding common stock, they will have the ability to control
all matters affecting Kindred if they elect to vote the same way, including:

. the composition of our board of directors and, through it, any
determination with respect to our business direction and policies,
including the appointment and removal of officers,

. any determinations with respect to mergers or other business combinations,

. our acquisition or disposition of assets,

. our financings, and

. the payment of dividends on our common stock.

Appaloosa Management, Franklin Mutual Advisers, Goldman Sachs, and Stephen
Feinberg also, if they elected to vote the same way, would be able to prevent or
cause a change in control of our company and may be able to amend our
certificate of incorporation and by-laws without the approval of any other
stockholder. Their interests may conflict with the interests of our other
stockholders.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate
by reference in this prospectus, including, but not limited to, statements
containing the words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "may" and other similar expressions, are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and you must
recognize that actual results may differ materially from our expectations as a
result of a variety of factors, including, without limitation, those discussed
below. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current
expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors, many of which we are unable to predict or control, that may cause our
actual results or performance to differ materially from any future results or
performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These
statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under "Risk
Factors" above and detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.
Factors that may affect our plans or results include, without limitation:

. our ability to operate pursuant to the terms of our debt obligations and
the Master Lease Agreements as described below under "Business--Master
Lease Agreements,"

. our ability to meet our rental and debt services obligations,

. adverse developments with respect to our liquidity or results of
operations,

. our ability to attract and retain key executives and other healthcare
personnel,

. the effects of healthcare reform and government regulations, interpretation
of regulations and changes in the nature and enforcement of regulations
governing the healthcare industry,

. changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates,

. national and regional economic conditions, including their effect on the
availability and cost of labor, materials and other services,

. our ability to control costs, including labor costs, in response to the
prospective payment system, implementation of the Corporate Integrity
Agreement described below in "Business--Corporate Integrity Agreement" and
other regulatory actions,

. our ability to comply with the terms of our Corporate Integrity Agreement,

. the effect of a restatement of our previously issued consolidated financial
statements, and

. the increase in costs of defending and insuring against alleged patient
care liability claims.

Many of these factors are beyond our control. We caution potential
investors that any forward-looking statements made by us are not guarantees of
future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to
announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or developments.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of
common stock or warrants offered by this prospectus, all of which will be
received by the selling security holders. Upon exercise of any warrants and the
issuance of the common stock underlying the warrants, we will receive cash
proceeds of approximately $30.00 per share of common stock issued upon exercise
of each Series A warrant and $33.33 per share of common stock upon exercise of
each Series B warrant (in each case, subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances). If all of the warrants held by the selling security holders
were exercised, we would receive an aggregate of approximately $164.5 million.
We intend to use any proceeds from the exercise of the warrants, after deduction
of related expenses, for working capital and general corporate purposes.
However, we cannot assure you that any warrants will be exercised or,
accordingly, that we will receive any proceeds from the exercise of the
warrants.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock commenced trading on the OTC Bulletin Board on April 26,
2001 under the symbol "KIND." Our common stock was initially issued on April 20,
2001. Between April 20, 2001 and April 26, 2001, there was no public market for
our common stock. Starting November 8, 2001, our common stock is quoted on The
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "KIND". The following table sets forth,
for the periods indicated, the high and low bid quotations per share of our
common stock, as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board or The Nasdaq National
Market, as applicable. The reported last sale price of our common stock on The
Nasdaq National Market on November 28, 2001 was $49.05.

Bid
Quotations for
Common Stock
------------

2001 High Low
---- ---- ---
Second Quarter (since April 26, 2001)..................................................... $46.00 $ 31.00
Third Quarter............................................................................. $65.00 $ 44.00
Fourth Quarter (through November 28, 2001)................................................ $59.50 $ 45.89

The prices noted above represent inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-
up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.

As of September 30, 2001, there were 42 holders of record of our common
stock.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never paid dividends on our common stock and we do not intend to
pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. It is our present policy to
retain earnings to finance our future operations and growth. In addition, our
debt instruments contain negative covenants that restrict, among other things,
the ability of Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc., our principal operating
subsidiary, to pay dividends to us. Any determination to pay dividends in the
future will be dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition,
contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable laws and other
factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our actual capitalization as of September
30, 2001 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of 1,750,000 shares by us at
$46.00 per share on November 14, 2001 and the application of the net proceeds of
approximately $75.3 million to redeem our senior secured notes due 2008. We will
not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common stock held by the
selling shareholders, thus no pro forma information has been provided for such
sale by the selling shareholders.

This table should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2000 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001, our
consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the other
financial information incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

As of September 30, 2001
------------------------
Actual As Adjusted
------ -----------
(in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents...................................................... $ 153,827 $ 153,827
Cash-restricted available for repayment of long-term debt...................... 36,410 36,410
---------- -----------
$ 190,237 $ 190,237
========== ===========

Liabilities:
Current liabilities.......................................................... $ 530,739 $ 530,739
Long-term debt............................................................... 301,878 226,563
Professional liability risks................................................. 117,937 117,937
Deferred credits and other liabilities....................................... 50,819 50,819
---------- -----------
Total liabilities......................................................... 1,001,373 926,058
---------- -----------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.25 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued
and outstanding............................................................ - -
Common stock, $0.25 par value; 39,000,000 shares authorized; 15,605,882
shares issued and outstanding; 17,355,882 shares issued, as adjusted....... 3,902 4,339
Capital in excess of par value............................................... 460,520 535,398
Deferred compensation........................................................ (17,491) (17,491)
Retained earnings............................................................ 32,684 32,684
---------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity................................................ 479,615 554,930
---------- -----------
Total capitalization...................................................... $1,480,988 $ 1,480,988
========== ===========

Common stock data excludes

. shares of common stock reserved for issuance under:

. our stock option plans, under which options to purchase 958,400 shares
were outstanding as of September 30, 2001 at a weighted average exercise
price of $33.69 per share,

. our outstanding Series A warrants to purchase 1,998,083 shares at an
exercise price of $30.00 per share, and

. our outstanding Series B warrants to purchase 4,996,035 shares at an
exercise price of $33.33 per share, and

. 1,750,000 shares that we issued in the underwritten offering completed
on November 14, 2001 and up to 487,035 additional shares that we may
issue to the underwriters for that underwritten offering to cover over-
allotments of shares.
15

BUSINESS

We are one of the largest providers of long-term healthcare services in the
United States based on revenues. We are organized into two operating divisions:
the health services division, which provides long-term care services by
operating nursing centers and a rehabilitation therapy business and the hospital
division, which provides long-term acute care services to medically complex
patients by operating hospitals and an institutional pharmacy business. We
believe that the independent focus of each division on the unique aspects and
quality concerns of its business enhances its ability to attract patients,
improve operations and achieve cost containment objectives. As of September 30,
2001, we operated 314 nursing centers with 40,355 licensed beds in 32 states and
56 hospitals with 4,867 licensed beds in 23 states. For the year ended December
31, 2000, we generated revenues before eliminations of $2.9 billion, of which
59% was generated by our health services division and 41% was generated by our
hospital division. We believe that demand for long-term care at all levels of
the continuum of care is increasing and that we are well-positioned to expand
our business by continuing to provide high-quality long-term care to our
residents and patients.

Competitive Strengths

Premier Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Operator. Since opening our first
hospital in 1985, we have grown into the largest network of long-term acute care
hospitals in the United States based on revenues. As of September 30, 2001, we
operated 56 hospitals in 23 states. As a result of our commitment to the long-
term acute care business and our comprehensive program of care for medically
complex patients, we believe that we are the premier operator of long-term acute
care hospitals in the United States.

Geographic Diversity and Independent Business Lines. We believe the
geographic diversity of our nursing centers and hospitals and our two
independent business lines reduce our exposure to any single state Medicaid
reimbursement source and adverse regional and local economic conditions,
including those relating to the availability and cost of labor, materials and
other services.

Use of Industry-Leading Information Technology to Enhance Operational
Performance. We believe our industry-leading information technology allows us
to operate efficiently and effectively under fixed reimbursement systems and
increased regulatory compliance requirements. Our information systems
architecture provides a reliable, scalable infrastructure that is designed to
efficiently accommodate the operations of additional facilities in the future.
We are able to access sophisticated clinical and financial management
information at a local, regional and corporate level, which enhances our ability
to manage operational performance. Moreover, company-wide access to various
data through internet-based solutions has improved operating efficiencies and
reduced administrative costs. Our information systems network allows us to
operate over 8,000 distributed personal computers and 600 centrally located
servers on a continuous basis.

Health Services Division

Our health services division provides high-quality, cost-effective long-
term care through the operation of a national network of 314 nursing centers
(40,355 licensed beds) located in 32 states and a rehabilitation therapy
business. Through our nursing centers, we provide residents with long-term care
services, a full range of pharmacy, medical and clinical services and routine
services, including daily dietary, social and recreational services. We also

provide rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech
therapies to our residents as well as to residents in nursing facilities
operated by other parties. For the year ended December 31, 2000, the health
services division generated $1.7 billion in revenues.

In addition, at more than 80 of our nursing centers, we offer specialized
programs for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Within these nursing
centers, we provide quality care to these patients by dedicating to them
separate units run by teams of professionals that specialize in the unique
problems experienced by Alzheimer's patients. We believe that we are a leading
provider of nursing care to patients with Alzheimer's disease, based on the
specialization and size of our program for caring for these patients.

We monitor and enhance the quality of care at our nursing centers through
the use of quality assurance and performance improvement committees as well as
family satisfaction surveys. Our quality assurance and performance improvement
committees oversee patient healthcare needs and patient and staff safety.
Physicians serve on these committees as medical directors and advise on
healthcare policies and practices. We conduct surveys of patients' families
periodically and these surveys are reviewed by our performance improvement
committees at each facility to promote quality patient care. Substantially all
of our nursing centers are certified to provide services under Medicare and
Medicaid programs. Our centers have been certified because the quality of our
accommodations, equipment, services, safety, personnel, physical environment and
policies and procedures meet or exceed the standards of certification set by
those programs.

Health Services Division Strategy

Our goal is to become the provider of choice in the markets our health
services division serves, which we believe will allow us to increase our patient
census and enhance our payor mix. In addition, we have implemented several
initiatives to improve our profitability. To supplement these internally-
focused initiatives, we intend to expand selectively our operations through
development and acquisition activities. The principal elements of our health
services division strategy are:

. hire and retain quality healthcare personnel by becoming the employer of
choice in the industry,

. establish improved processes to monitor and promote our patient care
objectives,

. integrate clinical advice of our chief medical officer and other physicians
into our operational procedures, and

. develop and enhance our internal training programs.

Enhancing Sales and Marketing Programs. We conduct our nursing center
marketing efforts, which focus on the quality of care provided at our
facilities, at the local market level through our nursing center administrators
and admissions coordinators. The marketing efforts of our nursing center
personnel are supplemented by strategies provided by our regional marketing
staffs. In order to increase awareness of our services and the provision of
quality care, we intend to:

. direct a targeted marketing effort at the elderly population, which we
believe is the fastest growing segment in the U.S. and which will,
therefore, be the driving force behind the growth in our industry in the
coming years,

. improve our relationships with local referral sources, and

. employ a business development director to identify and develop market needs
analyses.

Increasing Operating Efficiency. The health services division continually
seeks to improve operating efficiency with a view to maintaining high-quality
care in an environment that demands an increasingly greater control of costs.
We believe that operating efficiency is critical in maintaining our position as
a leading provider of nursing center services in the United States. In our
effort to improve operating efficiency we have:

. centralized administrative functions such as accounting, payroll, legal,
reimbursement, compliance and human resources,

. developed an industry-leading management information system to aid in
financial reporting as well as billing and collecting, and

. focused our efforts to hire and retain quality personnel.

Managing Efficient Delivery of Ancillary Services. We are dedicated to
providing quality nursing services to the patients in our facilities while at
the same time optimizing our operating efficiency. We realigned and refocused
our ancillary services business in response to the decline in the demand for
ancillary services that followed the implementation of the Medicare prospective
payment system, or "PPS." Today, our nursing centers generally provide ancillary
services to their patients through the use of internal staff. We are continuing
to refine the delivery of ancillary services to external customers to maintain
profitability under the cost constraints of the prospective payment system.
Accordingly, over the past 24 months, the health services division has
terminated many unprofitable external ancillary services contracts and does not
intend to emphasize the marketing of ancillary services contracts to third
parties.

Expanding Selectively Through Acquisitions and Development Activities. We
believe that we are well positioned strategically and financially to pursue
opportunities to expand our business through acquisitions and development
activities on a selective basis. We will evaluate development opportunities to
expand our operations, either through acquiring or leasing individual or small
portfolios of nursing facilities in selected markets or by managing third
parties' operations. We also will evaluate opportunities to acquire companies
with operations in attractive markets.

Nursing Center Facilities

The following table lists by state the number of nursing centers and
related licensed beds owned by us, leased from Ventas and other third parties,
or managed by us as of September 30, 2001:

Number of Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------
Licensed Owned by Leased from Leased from
State Beds Us Ventas Other Parties Managed Total
----- -------- -------- ----------- ------------- ------- -----

Alabama(1)............................. 781 - 3 1 2 6
Arizona................................ 1,393 - 6 - 6 12
California............................. 2,262 1 11 4 3 19
Colorado............................... 695 - 4 1 - 5
Connecticut(1)......................... 983 - 8 - - 8
Florida(1)............................. 2,473 2 15 1 - 18
Georgia(1)............................. 1,211 - 5 4 - 9
Idaho.................................. 880 1 8 - - 9
Indiana................................ 5,071 - 14 15 6 35
Kentucky(1)............................ 2,076 1 12 4 - 17
Louisiana(1)........................... 305 - - 1 1 2
Maine(1)............................... 775 - 10 - - 10
Massachusetts(1)....................... 4,181 - 31 3 3 37
Mississippi(1)......................... 125 - - 1 - 1
Missouri(1)............................ 400 - - 3 - 3
Montana(1)............................. 446 - 2 1 - 3
Nebraska(1)............................ 163 - 1 - - 1
Nevada(1).............................. 180 - 2 - - 2
New Hampshire(1)....................... 622 - 3 - 1 4
North Carolina(1)...................... 2,764 - 19 4 - 23
Ohio(1)................................ 2,155 - 11 4 1 16
Oregon(1).............................. 254 - 2 - - 2
Pennsylvania........................... 200 - 1 1 - 2
Rhode Island(1)........................ 201 - 2 - - 2
Tennessee(1)........................... 2,669 - 4 11 1 16
Texas.................................. 1,521 - 1 2 8 11
Utah................................... 848 - 5 1 1 7
Vermont(1)............................. 310 - 1 - 1 2
Virginia(1)............................ 629 - 4 - - 4
Washington(1).......................... 1,012 1 9 - - 10
Wisconsin(1)........................... 2,319 - 12 2 - 14
Wyoming................................ 451 - 4 - - 4
-------- -------- ----------- ------------- ------- -----
Total................................ 40,355 6 210 64 34 314
======== ======== =========== ============= ======= =====

---------------------
(1) These states have certificate of need regulations (see "--Government
Regulation--Certificates of Need and State Licensing").

Health Services Division Management and Operations

Each of our nursing centers is managed by a state-licensed administrator
who is supported by other professional personnel, including a director of
nursing, staff development professional (responsible for employee training),
activities director, social services director, business office manager and, in
general, physical, occupational and speech therapists. The directors of nursing
are state-licensed nurses who supervise our nursing staffs that include
registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants. Staff size
and composition vary depending on the size and occupancy of each nursing center
and on the type of care provided by the nursing center. The nursing centers
contract with physicians who provide medical director services and serve on
quality assurance committees. We provide our facilities with centralized
information systems, human resources management, state and federal reimbursement
assistance, state licensing and certification maintenance, legal, finance and
accounting support and purchasing and facilities management. The centralization
of these services improves efficiency and permits facility staff to focus on the
delivery of high quality nursing services.

Our health services division is managed by a divisional president and a
chief financial officer. Our nursing center operations are divided into four
geographic regions, each of which is headed by an operational vice president.

These four operational vice presidents report to the divisional president. The
ancillary services operations also are managed by a vice president who reports
to the divisional president. The clinical issues and quality concerns of the
health services division are managed by the division's chief medical officer and
vice president of clinical operations. District and/or regional staff in the
areas of nursing, dietary and rehabilitation services, state and federal
reimbursement, human resources management, maintenance, sales and financial
services supports the health services division. Regional and district nursing
professionals visit each nursing center periodically to review practices and,
where necessary, recommend improvements in the level of care provided.

Hospital Division

Our hospital division primarily provides long-term acute care services to
medically complex patients through the operation of a national network of 56
hospitals (including four hospitals certified as general acute care hospitals)
with 4,867 licensed beds located in 23 states. We opened our first long-term
acute care hospital in 1985 and today operate the largest network of long-term
acute care hospitals in the United States based on revenues. As a result of our
commitment to the long-term acute care business, we have developed a
comprehensive program of care for medically complex patients which allows us to
deliver high-quality care in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the hospital
division operates an institutional pharmacy business, which focuses on providing
a full array of institutional pharmacy services to nursing centers and
specialized care centers, including the nursing centers we operate. For the
year ended December 31, 2000, the hospital division generated $1.2 billion in
revenues.

In addition to our long-term care hospitals, the hospital division operates
four hospitals licensed as general acute care hospitals. A number of the
hospital division's long-term acute care hospitals also provide outpatient
services. General acute care and outpatient services may include inpatient
services, diagnostic services, CT scanning, one-day surgery, laboratory, X-ray,
respiratory therapy, cardiology and physical therapy.

In our hospitals, we treat medically complex patients who suffer from
multiple systemic failures or conditions such as neurological disorders, head
injuries, brain stem and spinal cord trauma, cerebral vascular accidents,
chemical brain injuries, central nervous system disorders, developmental
anomalies and cardiopulmonary disorders. In particular, we have a core
competency in treating patients with pulmonary disorders. Medically complex
patients often are dependent on technology, such as mechanical ventilators,
total parental nutrition, respiratory or cardiac monitors and dialysis machines,
for continued life support. Approximately 50% of our medically complex patients
are ventilator-dependent for some period of time during their hospitalization.
During 2000, the average length of stay for patients in our long-term care
hospitals was approximately 36 days. Although the hospital division's patients
range in age from pediatric to geriatric, approximately 70% of these patients
are over 65 years of age.

Our hospital division patients have conditions which require a high level
of monitoring and specialized care, yet may not need the services of a
traditional intensive care unit. Due to their severe medical conditions, these
patients generally are not clinically appropriate for admission to a nursing
center and their medical conditions are periodically or chronically unstable. By
combining selected general acute care services with the ability to care for
medically complex patients, we believe that our long-term acute care hospitals
provide their patients with high quality, cost-effective care.

Our long-term acute care hospitals employ a comprehensive program of care
for their medically complex patients which draws upon the talents of
interdisciplinary teams, including physician specialists. The teams evaluate
medically complex patients upon admission to determine treatment programs. Our
hospital division has developed specialized treatment programs focused on the
needs of medically complex patients. Where appropriate, the treatment programs
may involve the services of several disciplines, such as pulmonary medicine,
physical medicine and their respective therapies. In our treatment programs, we
emphasize individual attention to patients.

Hospital Division Strategy

Our goal is to remain a leading operator of long-term acute care hospitals
in terms of both quality of care and operating efficiency. Our strategies for
achieving this goal include:

Maintaining High Quality of Care. The hospital division differentiates its
hospitals through its ability to care for medically complex patients in a high-
quality, cost-effective setting. We are committed to maintaining and improving
the quality of our patient care by dedicating appropriate resources to each
facility and refining our clinical initiatives. In this regard, we have taken
the following measures to improve and maintain the quality of care at our
hospitals:

. Established an integrated quality assessment and improvement program,
administered by a quality review manager, which encompasses
utilization review, quality improvement, infection control and risk
management.

. Developed and implemented a patient classification system called
CustomCare that is designed to ensure that patients receive the
necessary level of care. This model allows the hospital division to
monitor employee skill mix and manage labor costs.

. Maintained a strategic outcomes program, which includes a concurrent
review of all of its patient population against utilization and
quality screenings, as well as quality of life outcomes data
collection and patient and family satisfaction surveys.

. Implemented a program whereby our hospitals are reviewed by internal
quality auditors for compliance with standards of the Joint Commission
on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

. Attempted to attract the highest quality of professional staff within
each market. The hospital division believes that its future success
will depend in part upon its continued ability to hire and retain
qualified healthcare personnel.

. Incorporated the clinical advice of our chief medical officer and
other physicians into our operational procedures.

Improving Operating Efficiency. The hospital division is continually
focused on improving operating efficiency and controlling costs while
maintaining quality patient care. Our hospital division seeks to improve
operating efficiencies and control costs by standardizing operations and
optimizing the skill mix of its staff based on the hospital's occupancy and the
clinical needs of its patients. The initiatives we have undertaken to control
our costs and improve efficiency include:

. managing pharmacy costs through adherence to formularies and
utilization management and leveraging drug costs through participation
in a group purchasing organization,

. centralizing administrative functions such as accounting, payroll,
legal, reimbursement, compliance and human resources, and

. utilizing industry-leading management information technology to aid in
financial reporting as well as billing and collecting.

Growing Through Business Development and Acquisitions. Our growth strategy
is focused on the development and expansion of our services:

. Hospital-in-Hospital. We look to partner with non-Kindred hospitals in
order to operate 30 to 40 long-term acute care hospital beds within
the partner hospital. Under such arrangements, we would lease space
and ancillary services from our partners and provide them with the
option to discharge their patients into our care.

. Pulmonary Units. We seek to operate 20 to 30 bed specialty pulmonary
care units within non-Kindred hospitals in attractive markets. Under
such arrangements we would lease space and ancillary services from our
partners. We believe that such arrangements will serve as bridges to
broader hospital-in-hospital opportunities and relationships within
these markets. Since our reorganization, we have entered into
agreements to develop two pulmonary units covering a total of 46 beds.

. Free-standing Hospitals. We seek to add free-standing hospitals in
certain strategic markets. We are currently in the process of
completing the construction of a new free-standing hospital in Las
Vegas, Nevada which will contain approximately 90 beds.

. Growing Through Acquisitions. We seek growth opportunities through
strategic acquisitions in selected target markets.

Expanding Breadth of Industry Leadership. We are the leading provider of
long-term acute care to patients with pulmonary dysfunction. In addition, we
deliver other services in areas such as wound care, surgery, acute
rehabilitation and pain management. We intend to broaden our expertise beyond
pulmonary services and to leverage our leadership position in pulmonary care to
expand our market strength to other clinical services.

Increasing Higher Margin Commercial Volume. We typically receive higher
reimbursement rates from commercial insurers than we do from the Medicare and
Medicaid programs. As a result, we work to expand relationships with insurers
to increase commercial patient volume. Each of our hospitals employs case
managers who focus on the patient intake and referral process.

Improving Relationships with Referring Providers. Substantially all of
the acute and medically complex patients admitted to our hospitals are
transferred from other healthcare providers such as general acute care
hospitals, intensive care units, managed care programs, physicians, nursing
centers and home care settings. Accordingly, we are focused on maintaining
strong relationships with these providers. In order to maintain these
relationships, we employ case managers who are responsible for coordinating
admissions and assessing the nature of services necessary for the proper care of
the patient. Case managers also are responsible for educating healthcare
professionals from referral sources as to the unique nature of the services
provided by our long-term acute care hospitals. Specifically, case managers
train and educate the staffs of referring institutions about long-term acute
care hospital services and the types of patients who could benefit from such
services.

Hospital Facilities

The following table lists by state the number of hospitals and related
licensed beds owned by us or leased from Ventas and other third parties as of
September 30, 2001.

Number of Facilities
-----------------------------------------------
Licensed Owned by Leased from Leased from
State Beds Us Ventas Other Parties Total
----- -------- -------- ----------- ------------- -----

Arizona ................................. 109 - 2 - 2
California .............................. 543 2 6 - 8
Colorado ................................ 68 - 1 - 1
Florida(1) .............................. 536 - 6 1 7
Georgia(1) .............................. 72 - - 1 1
Illinois(1) ............................. 545 - 4 1 5
Indiana ................................. 167 - 2 1 3
Kentucky(1) ............................. 374 - 1 - 1
Louisiana ............................... 168 - 1 - 1
Massachusetts(1) ........................ 86 - 2 - 2
Michigan(1) ............................. 400 - 2 - 2
Minnesota ............................... 92 - 1 - 1
Missouri(1) ............................. 227 - 2 - 2
Nevada(1) ............................... 52 - 1 - 1
New Mexico .............................. 61 - 1 - 1
North Carolina(1) ....................... 124 - 1 - 1
Oklahoma ................................ 59 - 1 - 1
Pennsylvania ............................ 115 - 2 - 2
Tennessee(1) ............................ 49 - 1 - 1
Texas ................................... 714 2 6 2 10
Virginia(1) ............................. 164 - 1 - 1
Washington(1) ........................... 80 1 - - 1
Wisconsin ............................... 62 1 - - 1
-------- -------- ----------- ------------- -----
Totals ................................ 4,867 6 44 6 56
======== ======== =========== ============= =====

---------------------
(1) These states have certificate of need regulations (see "--Government
Regulations--Certificates of Need and State Licensing").

Hospital Division Management and Operations

Each of our hospitals has a fully credentialed, multi-specialty medical
staff to meet the needs of the medically complex, long-term acute patient. Each
of our hospitals offers a broad range of physician services including,
pulmonology, internal medicine, infectious diseases, neurology, nephrology,
cardiology, radiology and pathology. In addition, each of our hospitals is
staffed with a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals including: a
professional nursing staff trained to care for long-term acute patients,
respiratory, physical, occupational and speech therapists; pharmacists;
registered dietitians; and social workers.

Substantially all of the acute and medically complex patients admitted to
our hospitals are transferred from other healthcare providers. Patients are
referred from general acute care hospitals, nursing centers and home care
settings. Referral sources include physicians, discharge planners, case
managers of managed care plans, social workers, third-party administrators,
health maintenance organizations and insurance companies. The hospital division
employs case managers who are primarily responsible for coordinating admissions
and assessing the nature of services necessary for the proper care of the
patient. Case managers also are responsible for educating healthcare
professionals from referral sources as to the unique nature of the services
provided by our long-term acute care hospitals. Specifically, case managers
train and educate the staffs of referring institutions about long-term acute
care hospital services and the types of patients who could benefit from such
services.

Each hospital maintains a pre-admission assessment system to evaluate
clinical needs and other information in determining the appropriateness of each
patient referral. Upon admission, each patient's case is reviewed by the
hospital's interdisciplinary team to determine treatment programs. Where
appropriate, the treatment programs may involve the services of several
disciplines, such as pulmonary medicine, physical medicine and their respective
therapies.

A hospital chief executive officer supervises and is responsible for the
day-to-day operations at each of our hospitals. Each hospital also employs a
chief financial officer who monitors the financial matters of each hospital,
including the measurement of actual operating results compared to budgets. In
addition, each hospital employs a chief operating officer to oversee the
clinical operations of the hospital and a quality assurance manager to direct an
integrated quality assurance program. We provide centralized services in the
areas of information systems design and development, training, human resources
management, reimbursement expertise, legal advice, technical accounting support
and purchasing and facilities management to each of our hospitals. We believe
that this centralization improves efficiency and allows hospital staff to spend
more time on patient care.

A divisional president and a chief financial officer manage the hospital
division. The operations of the hospitals are divided into three geographic
regions with each region headed by an operational vice president, each of whom
reports to the divisional president. Institutional pharmacy operations also are
managed by a vice president who reports to the divisional president. The
clinical issues and quality concerns of the hospital division are managed by the
division's chief medical officer and vice president of clinical operations. Our
corporate headquarters also provides services in the areas of information
systems design and development, training, human resources management,
reimbursement expertise, legal advice, technical accounting support, purchasing
and facilities management.

Sources of Revenues

Sources of Nursing Center Revenues

Nursing center revenues are derived principally from Medicare and Medicaid
programs and from private payment patients. Consistent with the nursing center
industry as a whole, changes in the mix of the health services division's
patient population among these three categories of patients significantly affect
the profitability of its operations. Although Medicare and higher acuity
patients generally produce the most revenue per patient day, profitability with
respect to higher acuity patients is reduced by the costs associated with the
higher level of nursing care and other services generally required by such
patients. We believe that private payment patients generally constitute the
most profitable category and Medicaid patients generally constitute the least
profitable category.

The following table sets forth the approximate percentages of nursing
center patient days and revenues derived from the payor sources indicated.

Medicare Medicaid Private and Other
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Patient Patient Patient
Period Days Revenues Days Revenues Days Revenues
--------------------------------------------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------

Six months ended September 30, 2001.......... 14% 32% 67% 47% 19% 21%
Three months ended March 31, 2001............ 15 31 66 47 19 22
Nine months ended September 30, 2000......... 13 28 67 49 20 23
Year ended December 31,
2000...................................... 13 28 67 49 20 23
1999...................................... 12 26 66 49 22 25
1998...................................... 13 29 65 45 22 26

For the three months ended September 30, 2001, revenues of the health
services division totaled approximately $456.6 million, or 58% of our total
revenues (before eliminations).

Both governmental and private third-party payors employ cost containment
measures designed to limit payments made to healthcare providers. Those
measures include the adoption of initial and continuing recipient eligibility
criteria which may limit payment for services, the adoption of coverage criteria
which limit the services that will be reimbursed and the establishment of
payment ceilings which set the maximum reimbursement that a provider may receive
for services. Furthermore, government reimbursement programs are subject to
statutory and regulatory changes, retroactive rate adjustments, administrative
rulings and government funding restrictions, all of which may materially
increase or decrease the rate of program payments to the health services
division for its services.

Medicare. The Medicare Part A program provides reimbursement for extended
care services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries who are admitted to nursing
centers after at least a three-day stay in an acute care hospital. Covered
services include supervised nursing care, room and board, social services,
physical and occupational therapies, pharmaceuticals, supplies and other
necessary services provided by nursing centers.

The Balanced Budget Act established PPS for nursing centers for cost
reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1998. Prior to the
implementation of PPS, Medicare nursing centers were reimbursed based on the
facility-specific, reasonable direct and indirect costs of services provided to
their patients. All of our nursing centers adopted the prospective payment
system on July 1, 1998. The payments received under PPS cover all services for
Medicare patients including all ancillary services, such as respiratory therapy,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and certain covered
pharmaceuticals.

Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-administered program financed by state
funds and matching federal funds. The program provides for medical assistance
to the indigent and certain other eligible persons. Although administered under
broad federal regulations, states are given flexibility to construct programs
and payment methods consistent with their individual goals. Accordingly, these
programs differ in many respects from state to state.

The health services division provides to eligible individuals Medicaid-
covered services consisting of nursing care, room and board and social services.
In addition, states may at their option cover other services such as physical,
occupational and speech therapies and pharmaceuticals. Prior to the Balanced
Budget Act, federal law, generally referred to as the "Boren Amendment,"
required Medicaid programs to pay rates that were reasonable and adequate to
meet the costs incurred by an efficiently and economically operated nursing
center providing quality care and services in conformity with all applicable
laws and regulations. Despite the federal requirements, disagreements
frequently arose between nursing centers and states regarding the adequacy of
Medicaid rates. By repealing the Boren Amendment, the Balanced Budget Act eased
the restrictions on the states' ability to reduce their Medicaid reimbursement
levels for such services. In addition, Medicaid programs are subject to
statutory and regulatory changes, administrative rulings, interpretations of
policy by the state agencies and certain government funding limitations, all of
which may materially increase or decrease the level of program payments to
nursing centers operated by the health services division. We believe that the
payments under many of these programs may not be sufficient on an overall basis
to cover the costs of serving certain patients participating in these programs.
Furthermore, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, as amended, mandates
an increased emphasis on ensuring quality patient care, which has resulted in
additional expenditures by nursing centers.

Private Payment. The health services division seeks to maximize the
number of private payment patients admitted to its nursing centers, including
those covered under private insurance and managed care health plans. Private
payment patients typically have financial resources (including insurance
coverage) to pay for their monthly services and do not rely on government
programs for support.

We cannot assure you that payments under governmental and private third-
party payor programs will remain at levels comparable to present levels or will
be sufficient to cover the costs allocable to patients eligible for
reimbursement pursuant to such programs. In addition, we cannot assure you that
facilities operated by the health services division, or the provision of
services and supplies by the health services division, will meet the
requirements for participation in such programs. We could be adversely affected
by the continuing efforts of governmental and private third-party payors to
contain the cost of healthcare services.

Sources of Hospital Revenues

The hospital division receives payment for its hospital services from
third-party payors, including government reimbursement programs such as Medicare
and Medicaid and non-government sources such as commercial insurance companies,
health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and
contracted providers. Patients covered by non-government payors generally will
be more profitable to the hospital division than those covered by the Medicare
and Medicaid programs. The following table sets forth the approximate
percentages of the hospital patient days and revenues derived from the payor
sources indicated.

Six months ended September 30, 2001.......... 67% 56% 13% 11% 20% 33%
Three months ended March 31, 2001............ 68 56 13 11 19 33
Nine months ended September 30, 2000......... 68 56 13 10 19 34
Year ended December 31,
2000...................................... 67 55 13 10 20 35
1999...................................... 68 58 12 11 20 31
1998...................................... 68 59 13 10 19 31

For the three months ended September 30, 2001, revenues of the hospital
division totaled approximately $327.3 million, or 42% of our total revenues
(before eliminations). Changes caused by the Balanced Budget Act have reduced
Medicare incentive payments made to the hospital division under TEFRA, allowable
costs for capital expenditures and bad debts and payments for services to
patients transferred from a general acute care hospital.

Competition

Health Services Division

Our nursing centers compete with other nursing centers and similar long-
term care facilities primarily on the basis of quality of care, reputation,
their location and physical appearance and, in the case of private patients, the
charges for our services. Some competitors are located in buildings that are
newer than those operated by us and may provide services that we do not offer.
Our nursing centers compete on a local and regional basis with other nursing
centers as well as with facilities providing similar services, including
hospitals, extended care centers, assisted living facilities, home health
agencies and similar institutions. The industry includes government-owned,
religious organization-owned, secular not-for-profit and for-profit
institutions. Many of these competitors have greater financial and other
resources than we do. Although there is limited, if any, price competition with
respect to Medicare and Medicaid patients (since revenues received for services
provided to such patients are based generally on fixed rates), there is
significant competition for private payment patients.

In addition, our health services division competes in the fragmented and
highly competitive ancillary services markets. In addition, many nursing centers
are developing internal staff to provide these services, particularly in
response to the implementation of Medicare PPS. The primary competitive factors
for the ancillary services markets are quality of services, charges for services
and responsiveness to the needs of patients, families and the facilities in
which the services are provided.

Hospital Division

As of September 30, 2001, the hospitals operated by the hospital division
were located in 42 geographic markets in 23 states. In each geographic market,
there are general acute care hospitals which provide services comparable to
those offered by our hospitals. In addition, the hospital division believes that
as of September 30, 2001 there were approximately 300 hospitals in the United
States certified by Medicare as general long-term hospitals, some of which
provide similar services to those provided by the hospital division. Certain
competing hospitals are operated

by not-for-profit, nontaxpaying or governmental agencies, which can finance
capital expenditures on a tax-exempt basis, and which receive funds and
charitable contributions unavailable to the hospital division.

Competition for patients covered by non-government reimbursement sources is
intense. The primary competitive factors in the long-term acute care business
include quality of services, charges for services and responsiveness to the
needs of patients, families, payors and physicians. Other companies have
entered the long-term acute care market with licensed hospitals that compete
with our hospitals. The competitive position of any hospital also is affected
by the ability of its management to negotiate contracts with purchasers of group
healthcare services, including private employers, managed care companies,
preferred provider organizations and health maintenance organizations. Such
organizations attempt to obtain discounts from established hospital charges.
The importance of obtaining contracts with preferred provider organizations,
health maintenance organizations and other organizations which finance
healthcare, and its effect on a hospital's competitive position, vary from
market to market, depending on the number and market strength of such
organizations.

Our Reorganization

As a result of decreased Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates
introduced by the Balanced Budget Act and other issues associated with our
company, we were unable to meet our then existing financial obligations,
including rent payable to Ventas and debt service obligations under our then
existing indebtedness. Accordingly, on September 13, 1999, we filed voluntary
petitions for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. From the
date of our bankruptcy filing until we emerged from bankruptcy on April 20,
2001, we operated our businesses as a "debtor-in-possession" subject to the
jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court. On March 1, 2001, the bankruptcy court
approved our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization.

Pursuant to our Plan of Reorganization, on April 20, 2001, the effective
date of the Plan of Reorganization:

. we issued to certain claimholders, including senior creditors and Ventas,
in exchange for their claims:

-- an aggregate of $300 million of senior secured notes, bearing interest
at the London Interbank Offered Rate (as defined in the agreement)
plus 4 1/2%, which will begin to accrue interest approximately two
quarters after April 20, 2001,

-- an aggregate of 15,000,000 shares of our common stock,

-- an aggregate of 2,000,000 Series A warrants, and

-- an aggregate of 5,000,000 Series B warrants,

. we entered into a new $120 million revolving credit facility to provide us
with working capital and to be used for other general corporate purposes,

. we entered into amended and restated Master Lease Agreements with Ventas
covering 210 of the nursing centers and 44 of the hospitals that we
operate,

. we entered into a registration rights agreement with Ventas and each holder
of 10% or more of our common stock following the exchange described above,
providing such holders with certain shelf, demand and "piggy-back"
registration rights, and

. our then existing senior indebtedness and debt and equity securities were
cancelled.

As a result of the exchange described above, the holders of certain claims
acquired control of our company and the holders of our pre-reorganization common
stock relinquished control.

In addition, in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy:

. we changed our name to Kindred Healthcare, Inc.,

. a new board of directors, including representatives of the principal
security holders following the exchange, was appointed, and

. effective April 1, 2001, we adopted fresh-start accounting in accordance
with SOP 90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the
Bankruptcy Code." This has resulted in the creation of a new reporting
entity for financial accounting reporting purposes and a revaluation of our
assets and liabilities to reflect their estimated fair values. Because of
the adoption of fresh-start accounting, amounts previously recorded in our
historical financial statements have changed materially. As a result, our
financial statements for periods after our emergence from bankruptcy are
not comparable in all respects to our financial statements for periods
prior to the reorganization.

Master Lease Agreements

Under our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, we assumed the
original master lease agreements with Ventas and its affiliates and
simultaneously amended and restated the agreements into four new master leases,
which we refer to as the "Master Lease Agreements." The following summary
description of the Master Lease Agreements is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Master Lease Agreements, which are incorporated by reference in
this prospectus.

Term and Renewals

Each Master Lease Agreement includes land, buildings, structures and other
improvements on the land, easements and similar appurtenances to the land and
improvements, and permanently affixed equipment, machinery and other fixtures
relating to the operation of the leased properties. There are several bundles
of leased properties under each Master Lease Agreement, with each bundle
containing approximately 7 to 12 leased properties. Each bundle contains both
nursing centers and hospitals. All leased properties within a bundle have base
terms ranging from 10 to 15 years beginning from May 1, 1998, subject to certain
exceptions.

At our option, all, but not less than all, of the leased properties in a
bundle may be extended for one five-year renewal term beyond the base term at
the then existing rental rate plus the then existing escalation amount per
annum. We may further extend for two additional five-year renewal terms beyond
the first renewal term at the greater of the then existing rental rate plus the
then existing escalation amount per annum or the then fair market value rental
rate. The rental rate during the first renewal term and any additional renewal
term in which rent due is based on the then existing rental rate will escalate
each year during such term(s) at the applicable escalation rate.

We may not extend the Master Lease Agreements beyond the base term or any
previously exercised renewal term if, at the time we seek such extension and at
the time such extension takes effect (1) an event of default has occurred and is
continuing or (2) a Medicare/Medicaid event of default (as described below)
and/or a licensed bed event of default (as described below), has occurred and is
continuing with respect to three or more leased properties subject to a
particular Master Lease Agreement. The base term and renewal term of each
Master Lease Agreement are subject to termination upon default by us (subject to
certain exceptions) and certain other conditions described in the Master Lease
Agreements.

Rental Amounts and Escalators

Each Master Lease Agreement is commonly known as a triple-net lease or an
absolute-net lease. Accordingly, in addition to rent, we are required to pay
the following: (1) all insurance required in connection with the leased
properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, (2) all taxes
levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the net
income of Ventas) and (3) all utilities and other services necessary or
appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased
properties.

Under each Master Lease Agreement, the aggregate annual rent is referred to
as base rent. Base rent equals the sum of current rent and accrued rent. We
are obligated to pay the portion of base rent that is current rent, and unpaid
accrued rent will be paid as set forth below.

From the effective date of the Master Lease Agreements through April 30,
2004, base rent will equal the current rent. Under the Master Lease Agreements,
the annual aggregate base rent owed by us currently is $180.7 million. For the
period from May 1, 2001 through April 30, 2004, annual aggregate base rent
payable in cash will escalate at an annual rate of 3 1/2% over the prior period
base rent if certain revenue parameters are obtained.

Each Master Lease Agreement also provides that beginning May 1, 2004, the
annual aggregate base rent payable in cash will escalate at an annual rate of 2%
(plus, upon the occurrence of certain events, an additional annual accrued
escalator amount of 1 1/2% of the prior period base rent) which will accrete
from year to year including an interest accrual at the London Interbank Offered
Rate plus 4 1/2% to be added to the annual accreted amount. This interest will
not be added to the aggregate base rent in subsequent years.

The unpaid accrued rent will become payable upon the refinancing of our
existing debt or the termination or expiration of the applicable Master Lease
Agreement.

Reset Rights

During the one-year period commencing in July 2006, Ventas will have a one-
time option to reset the base rent, current rent and accrued rent under each
Master Lease Agreement to the then fair market rental of the leased properties.
Upon exercising this reset right, Ventas will pay us a fee equal to a prorated
portion of $5 million based upon the proportion of base rent payable under the
Master Lease Agreement(s) with respect to which rent is reset to the total base
rent payable under all of the Master Lease Agreements. The determination of the
fair market rental will be effectuated through the appraisal procedures in the
Master Lease Agreements.

Use of the Leased Property

The Master Lease Agreements require that we utilize the leased properties
solely for the provision of healthcare services and related uses and as Ventas
may otherwise consent. We are responsible for maintaining or causing to be
maintained all licenses, certificates and permits necessary for the leased
properties to comply with various healthcare regulations. We also are obligated
to operate continuously each leased property as a provider of healthcare
services.

Events of Default

Under each Master Lease Agreement, an "Event of Default" will be deemed to
occur if, among other things:

. we fail to pay rent or other amounts within five days after notice,

. we fail to comply with covenants, which failure continues for 30 days or,
so long as diligent efforts to cure such failure are being made, such
longer period (not over 180 days) as is necessary to cure such failure,

. certain bankruptcy or insolvency events occur, including filing a petition
of bankruptcy or a petition for reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code,

. an event of default arising from our failure to pay principal or interest
on our senior secured notes or any other indebtedness exceeding $50
million,

. the maturity of the senior secured notes or any other indebtedness
exceeding $50 million is accelerated,

. we cease to operate any leased property as a provider of healthcare
services for a period of 30 days,

. a default occurs under any guaranty of any lease or the indemnity
agreements with Ventas,

. we or our subtenant lose any required healthcare license, permit or
approval or fail to comply with any legal requirements as determined by a
final unappealable determination,

. we fail to maintain insurance,

. we create or allow to remain certain liens,

. we breach any material representation or warranty,

. a reduction occurs in the number of licensed beds in a facility, generally
in excess of 10% (or less than 10% if we have voluntarily "banked" licensed
beds) of the number of licensed beds in the applicable facility on the
commencement date (a "licensed bed event of default"),

. Medicare or Medicaid certification with respect to a participating facility
is revoked and re-certification does not occur for 120 days (plus an
additional 60 days in certain circumstances) (a "Medicare/Medicaid event of
default"),

. we become subject to regulatory sanctions as determined by a final
unappealable determination and fail to cure such regulatory sanctions
within its specified cure period for any facility,

. we fail to cure a breach of any permitted encumbrance within the applicable
cure period and, as a result, a real property interest or other beneficial
property right of Ventas is at material risk of being terminated, or

. we fail to cure the breach of any of the obligations of Ventas as lessee
under any existing ground lease within the applicable cure period and, if
such breach is a non-monetary, non-material breach, such existing ground
lease is at material risk of being terminated.

Remedies for an Event of Default

Except as noted below, upon an Event of Default under one of the Master
Lease Agreements, Ventas may, at its option, exercise the following remedies:

(1) after not less than ten days' notice to us, terminate the Master Lease
Agreement to which such Event of Default relates, repossess any leased
property, relet any leased property to a third party and require that we pay
to Ventas, as liquidated damages, the net present value of the rent for the
balance of the term, discounted at the prime rate,

(2) without terminating the Master Lease Agreement to which such Event of
Default relates, repossess the leased property and relet the leased property
with us remaining liable under such Master Lease Agreement for all obligations
to be performed by us thereunder, including the difference, if any, between
the rent under such Master Lease Agreement and the rent payable as a result of
the reletting of the leased property, and

(3) seek any and all other rights and remedies available under law or in
equity.

In addition to the remedies noted above, under the Master Lease Agreements,
in the case of a facility-specific event of default Ventas may terminate a
Master Lease Agreement as to the leased property to which the Event of Default
relates, and may, but need not, terminate the entire Master Lease Agreement.
Each of the Master Lease Agreements includes special rules relative to
Medicare/Medicaid events of default and licensed bed events of default. In the
event a Medicare/Medicaid event of default and/or a licensed bed event of
default occurs and is continuing (a) with respect to not more than two
properties at the same time under a Master Lease Agreement that covers 41 or
more properties and (b) with respect to not more than one property at the same
time under a Master Lease Agreement that covers 21 to and including 40
properties, Ventas may not exercise termination or dispossession remedies
against any property other than the property or properties to which the event of
default relates. Thus, in the event Medicare/Medicaid events of default and
licensed bed events of default would occur and be continuing (a) with respect to
one property under a Master Lease Agreement that covers less than 20 properties,
(b) with respect to two or more properties at the same time under a Master Lease
Agreement that covers 21 to and including 40 properties, or (c) with respect to
three or more properties at the same time under a Master Lease Agreement that
covers 41 or more properties, then Ventas would be entitled to exercise all
rights and remedies available to it under the Master Lease Agreements.

Assignment and Subletting

Except as noted below, the Master Lease Agreements provide that we may not
assign, sublease or otherwise transfer any leased property or any portion of a
leased property as a whole (or in substantial part), including by virtue of a
change of control, without the consent of Ventas, which may not be unreasonably
withheld if the proposed assignee (1) is a creditworthy entity with sufficient
financial stability to satisfy its obligations under the related Master Lease
Agreement, (2) has not less than four years experience in operating healthcare
facilities, (3) has a favorable business and operational reputation and
character and (4) has all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations to
operate the facility and agrees to comply with the use restrictions in the
related Master Lease Agreement. The obligation of Ventas to consent to a
subletting or assignment is subject to the reasonable approval rights of any
mortgagee and/or the lenders under its credit agreement. We may sublease up to
20% of each leased property for restaurants, gift shops and other stores or
services customarily found in hospitals or nursing centers without the consent
of Ventas, subject, however, to there being no material alteration in the
character of the leased property or in the nature of the business conducted on
such leased property.

In addition, each Master Lease Agreement allows us to assign or sublease
(a) without the consent of Ventas, 10% of the nursing center facilities in each
Master Lease Agreement and (b) with Ventas' consent (which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), two hospitals in each Master
Lease Agreement, if either (i) the applicable regulatory authorities have
threatened to revoke an authorization necessary to operate such leased property
or (ii) we cannot profitably operate such leased property. Any such proposed
assignee/sublessee must satisfy the requirements listed above and it must have
all licenses, permits, approvals and other authorizations required to operate
the leased properties in accordance with the applicable permitted use. With
respect to any assignment or sublease made under this provision, Ventas agrees
to execute a nondisturbance and attornment agreement with such proposed assignee
or subtenant. Upon any assignment or subletting, we will not be released from
our obligations under the applicable Master Lease Agreement.

Subject to certain exclusions, we must pay to Ventas 80% of any
consideration received by us on account of an assignment and 80% (50% in the
case of existing subleases) of sublease rent payments (roughly equal to revenue
net of specified allowed expenses attributable to a sublease, and specifically
defined in the Master Lease Agreements), provided that Ventas' right to such
payments will be subordinate to that of our lenders.

Ventas will have the right to approve the purchaser at a foreclosure of one
or more of our leasehold mortgages by our lenders. Such approval will not be
unreasonably withheld so long as such purchaser is creditworthy, reputable and
has four years experience in operating healthcare facilities. Any dispute
regarding whether Ventas has unreasonably withheld its consent to such purchaser
will be subject to expedited arbitration.

Corporate Integrity Agreement

On August 8, 2000, we entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the
Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
to promote our compliance with the requirements of Medicare, Medicaid and all
other federal healthcare programs. Under the Corporate Integrity Agreement, we
are implementing a comprehensive internal quality improvement program and a
system of internal financial controls in our nursing centers, long-term
hospitals and regional and corporate offices. We have retained sufficient
flexibility under the Corporate Integrity Agreement to design and implement the
agreement's requirements to enable us to focus our efforts on developing
improved systems and processes for providing quality care. Our failure to
comply with the material terms of the agreement could lead to suspension or
exclusion from further participation in federal healthcare programs. We believe
that many of the requirements of the Corporate Integrity Agreement are necessary
to achieve our patient care objectives and are similar to the procedures used by
other healthcare providers to comply with existing laws and regulations.

The Corporate Integrity Agreement became effective on April 20, 2001 and
applies to us and our managed entities. The Corporate Integrity Agreement also
will apply to newly acquired facilities after a phase-in period of six months.

As required by the Corporate Integrity Agreement, we have engaged the Long
Term Care Institute, Inc. to monitor and evaluate our quality improvement
program and report its findings to the Office of the Inspector General.

The Corporate Integrity Agreement includes compliance requirements which
obligate us to:

. Adopt and implement written standards on federal healthcare program
requirements with respect to financial and quality of care issues.

. Conduct training each year for all employees to promote compliance with
federal healthcare requirements. Every employee will undergo a minimum of
two hours of general compliance training annually. We also will provide
annually at least two hours of specific training, tailored to issues
affecting employees with certain job responsibilities, as well as a minimum
of two hours of training for care-giving employees focused on quality care.
In addition, we will continue to operate our internal compliance hotline.

. Put in place a comprehensive internal quality improvement program, which
will include establishing committees at the facility, regional and
corporate levels to review quality-related data, direct quality improvement
activities and implement and monitor corrective action plans. We focus on
integrating compliance responsibilities with operational functions. We
recognize that our compliance with applicable laws and regulations depends
on individual employee action as well as our operations. The Long Term Care
Institute, Inc. has assisted in program development and will evaluate its
integrity and effectiveness for the Office of the Inspector General.

. Enhance our current system of internal financial controls to promote
compliance with federal healthcare program requirements on billing and
related financial issues, including a variety of internal audit and
compliance reviews. We have retained an independent review organization to
evaluate the integrity and effectiveness of our internal systems. The
independent review organization will report annually its findings to the
Office of the Inspector General.

. Notify the Inspector General within 30 days of our discovery of any ongoing
investigation or legal proceeding conducted or brought by a governmental
entity or its agents involving any allegation that we have committed a
crime or engaged in a fraudulent activity, and within 30 days of our
determination that we have received a substantial overpayment relating to
any federal healthcare program or any other matter that a reasonable person
would consider a potential violation of the federal fraud and abuse laws or
other criminal or civil laws related to any federal healthcare program.

. Submit annual reports to the Inspector General demonstrating compliance
with the terms of the Corporate Integrity Agreement, including the findings
of our internal audit and review program. We submitted an implementation
report to the Office of Inspector General in August 2001.

The Corporate Integrity Agreement contains standard penalty provisions for
breach, which include stipulated cash penalties ranging from $1,000 per day to
$2,500 per day for each day we are in breach of the agreement. If we fail to
remedy our breach in the time specified in the agreement, we can be excluded
from participation in federal healthcare programs.

Government Regulation

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare is a federal program that provides certain hospital and medical
insurance benefits to persons age 65 and over and certain disabled persons.
Medicaid is a medical assistance program administered by each state pursuant to
which healthcare benefits are available to certain indigent patients. Within
the Medicare and Medicaid statutory framework, there are substantial areas
subject to administrative rulings, interpretations and discretion that may
affect payments made under Medicare and Medicaid. A substantial portion of our
revenues are derived from patients covered by the Medicare and Medicaid
programs.

Federal, State and Local Regulation

In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject regularly to
inquiries, investigations and audits by federal and state agencies that oversee
applicable healthcare regulations.

The extensive federal, state and local regulations affecting the healthcare
industry include, but are not limited to, regulations relating to licensure,
conduct of operations, ownership of facilities, addition of facilities,
allowable costs, services and prices for services. In addition, various laws
including antikickback, antifraud and abuse amendments codified under the Social
Security Act prohibit certain business practices and relationships that might
affect the provision and cost of healthcare services reimbursable under Medicare
and Medicaid, including the payment or receipt of remuneration for the referral
of patients whose care will be paid by Medicare or other governmental programs.
Sanctions for violating these antikickback amendments include criminal penalties
and civil sanctions, including fines and possible exclusion from government
programs such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Department of Health
and Human Services has issued regulations that describe some of the conduct and
business relationships permissible under the antikickback amendments. The fact
that a given business arrangement does not fall within one of these safe harbors
does not render the arrangement per se illegal. Business arrangements of
healthcare service providers that fail to satisfy the applicable criteria,
however, risk increased scrutiny and possible sanctions by enforcement
authorities.

In addition, Section 1877 of the Social Security Act, which restricts
referrals by physicians of Medicare and other government-program patients to
providers of a broad range of designated health services with which they have
ownership or certain other financial arrangements, was amended effective January
1, 1995, to broaden significantly the scope of prohibited physician referrals
under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Many states have adopted or are
considering similar legislative proposals, some of which extend beyond the
Medicaid program, to prohibit the payment or receipt of remuneration for the
referral of patients and physician self-referrals regardless of the source of
payment for the care. These laws and regulations are complex and limited
judicial or regulatory interpretation exists. We do not believe our
arrangements are in violation of these prohibitions. We cannot assure you,
however, that governmental officials charged with responsibility for enforcing
the provisions of these prohibitions will not assert that one or more of our
arrangements are in violation of such provisions.

The Balanced Budget Act also includes a number of antifraud and abuse
provisions. The Balanced Budget Act contains additional civil monetary
penalties for violations of the antikickback amendments discussed above and
imposes an affirmative duty on providers to ensure that they do not employ or
contract with persons excluded from the Medicare program. The Balanced Budget
Act also provides a minimum ten-year period for exclusion from participation in
federal healthcare programs for persons or entities convicted of a prior
healthcare offense.

The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1997,
commonly known as "HIPAA," signed into law on August 21, 1996, amended, among
other things, Title XI of the U.S. Code (42 U.S.C. (S)1301 et seq.) to broaden
the scope of fraud and abuse laws to include all health plans, whether or not
they are reimbursed under federal programs. In addition, HIPAA also mandates
the adoption of regulations aimed at standardizing transaction formats and
billing codes for documenting medical services, dealing with claims submissions
and protecting the privacy and security of individually identifiable health
information. HIPAA regulations that standardize transactions and code sets
became final in the fourth quarter of 2000. These regulations do not require
healthcare providers to submit claims electronically, but require standard
formatting for those that do. We currently submit our claims electronically and
will continue to do so. We will be required to comply with HIPAA transaction
and code set standards by October 2002.

Final HIPAA privacy regulations were published in December 2000. These
privacy regulations apply to "protected health information," which is defined
generally as individually identifiable health information transmitted or
maintained in any form or medium, excluding certain education records and
student medical records. The privacy regulations seek to limit the use and
disclosure of most paper and oral communications, as well as those in electronic
form, regarding an individual's past, present or future physical or mental
health or condition, or relating to the provision of healthcare to the
individual or payment for that healthcare, if the individual can or may be
identified by such information. HIPAA provides for the imposition of civil or
criminal penalties if protected health information is improperly disclosed. We
must comply with the privacy regulations by April 2003.

HIPAA's security regulations have not yet been finalized. The proposed
security regulations specify administrative procedures, physical safeguards and
technical services and mechanisms designed to ensure the privacy of protected
health information. We will be required to comply with the security regulations
26 months after the regulations become final.

We are currently evaluating the impact of compliance with HIPAA
regulations, but we have not completed our analysis or finalized the estimated
costs of compliance. We cannot assure you that our compliance with the HIPAA
regulations will not have an adverse affect on our financial position, results
of operations or cash flows.

We believe that the regulatory environment surrounding the long-term care
industry has intensified, particularly for large for-profit, multi-facility
providers like us. In the State of Florida, for example, a new statute requires
the State to revoke, absent sufficient mitigating factors, all licenses of
commonly controlled facilities even if only one facility has serious regulatory
deficiencies. The federal government has imposed extensive enforcement policies,
resulting in a significant increase in the number of inspections, citations of
regulatory deficiencies and other regulatory sanctions including terminations
from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, bars on Medicare and Medicaid payments
for new admissions and civil monetary penalties. Such sanctions can have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial
position. We vigorously contest such sanctions where appropriate, and in several
cases have obtained injunctions preventing imposition of these regulatory
sanctions. While we generally have been successful to date in contesting these
sanctions, these cases involve significant legal expense and the time of
management and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in the future.

Certificates of Need and State Licensing. Certificate of need, or CON,
regulations control the development and expansion of healthcare services and
facilities in certain states. Certain states also require regulatory approval
prior to certain changes in ownership of a nursing center or hospital. Certain
states that do not have CON programs may have other laws or regulations that
limit or restrict the development or expansion of healthcare facilities. We
operate nursing centers in 22 states and hospitals in 12 states that require
state approval for the expansion of our facilities and services under CON
programs. To the extent that CONs or other similar approvals are required for
expansion of the operations of our nursing centers or hospitals, either through
facility acquisitions, expansion or provision of new services or other changes,
such expansion could be affected adversely by the failure or inability to obtain
the necessary approvals, changes in the standards applicable to such approvals
or possible delays and expenses associated with obtaining such approvals.

We are required to obtain state licenses to operate each of our nursing
centers and hospitals and to ensure their participation in government programs.
Once a nursing center becomes licensed and operational, it must continue to
comply with federal, state and local licensing requirements in addition to local
building and life-safety codes. All nursing centers and hospitals have the
necessary licenses.

Health Services Division

The development and operation of nursing centers and the provision of
healthcare services are subject to federal, state and local laws relating to the
adequacy of medical care, equipment, personnel, operating policies, fire
prevention, rate-setting and compliance with building codes and environmental
laws. Nursing centers are subject to periodic inspection by governmental and
other authorities to assure continued compliance with various standards,
continued licensing under state law, certification under the Medicare and
Medicaid programs and continued participation in the Veterans Administration
program. The failure to obtain, retain or renew any required regulatory
approvals or licenses could adversely affect nursing center operations.

Medicare and Medicaid and other Federal Regulation. The nursing centers
operated and managed by the health services division are licensed either on an
annual or bi-annual basis and generally are certified annually for participation
in Medicare and Medicaid programs through various regulatory agencies that
determine compliance with federal, state and local laws. These legal
requirements relate to the quality of the nursing care provided, the
qualifications of the administrative personnel and nursing staff, the adequacy
of the physical plant and equipment and continuing compliance with the laws and
regulations governing the operation of nursing centers. Federal regulations
affect the survey process for nursing centers and the authority of state survey
agencies and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the Health
Care Financing Administration), commonly referred to as "CMS," to impose
sanctions on facilities based upon noncompliance with certain requirements.
Available sanctions include, but are not limited to, imposition of civil
monetary penalties, temporary suspension of payment for new admissions,
appointment of a
34

temporary manager, suspension of payment for eligible patients and suspension or
decertification from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

We believe that substantially all of our nursing centers are in substantial
compliance with applicable Medicare and Medicaid requirements of participation.
In the ordinary course of business, however, the nursing centers receive
statements of deficiencies from regulatory agencies. In response, the health
services division implements plans of correction to address the alleged
deficiencies. In most instances, the regulatory agency will accept the
facility's plan of correction and place the nursing center back into compliance
with regulatory requirements. In some cases or upon repeat violations, the
regulatory agency may take a number of adverse actions against the nursing
center. These adverse actions may include the imposition of fines, temporary
suspension of admission of new patients to the nursing center, decertification
from participation in the Medicaid and/or Medicare programs and, in extreme
circumstances, revocation of the nursing center's license.

The health services division also is subject to federal and state laws that
govern financial and other arrangements between healthcare providers. These
laws often prohibit certain direct and indirect payments or fee-splitting
arrangements between healthcare providers that are designed to induce or
encourage the referral of patients to, or the recommendation of, a particular
provider for medical products and services. Such laws include the antikickback
amendments discussed above. These provisions prohibit, among other things, the
offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of any form of remuneration in return
for the referral of Medicare and Medicaid patients. In addition, some states
restrict certain business relationships between physicians and pharmacies, and
many states prohibit business corporations from providing, or holding themselves
out as a provider of, medical care. Possible sanctions for violation of any of
these restrictions or prohibitions include loss of licensure or eligibility to
participate in reimbursement programs as well as civil and criminal penalties.
These laws vary from state to state.

In certain circumstances, federal law mandates that conviction for certain
abusive or fraudulent behavior with respect to one nursing center may subject
other facilities under common control or ownership to disqualification from
participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs. In addition, some regulations
provide that all nursing centers under common control or ownership within a
state are subject to delicensure if any one or more of such facilities are
delicensed.

Hospital Division

Medicare and Medicaid and other Federal Regulation. The hospital division
is subject to various federal and state regulations. In order to receive
Medicare reimbursement, each hospital must meet the applicable conditions of
participation set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services relating
to the type of hospital, its equipment, personnel and standard of medical care,
as well as comply with state and local laws and regulations. We have developed
a management system to facilitate our compliance with the various standards and
requirements. Each hospital employs a person who is responsible for an ongoing
quality assessment and improvement program. Hospitals undergo periodic on-site
Medicare certification surveys, which generally are limited if the hospital is
accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
Organizations. As of June 30, 2001, all of the hospitals operated by the
hospital division were certified as Medicare providers and 52 of such hospitals
also were certified by their respective state Medicaid programs. A loss of
certification could affect adversely a hospital's ability to receive payments
from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Since 1983, Medicare has reimbursed general acute care hospitals under a
prospective payment system. Under the hospital prospective payment system,
Medicare inpatient costs are reimbursed based upon a fixed payment amount per
discharge using diagnosis related groups. The diagnosis-related group payment
under the hospital prospective payment system is based upon the national average
cost of treating a Medicare patient's condition. Although the average length of
stay varies for each diagnosis related group, the average stay for all Medicare
patients subject to the hospital prospective payment system is approximately six
days. An additional outlier payment is made for patients with higher treatment
costs. Outlier payments are only designed to cover marginal costs.
Accordingly, the hospital prospective payment system creates an economic
incentive for general short-term acute care hospitals to discharge medically
complex Medicare patients as soon as clinically possible. Hospitals that are
certified by Medicare as general long-term hospitals are excluded from the
hospital prospective payment system. We believe that the incentive for short-
term acute care hospitals to discharge medically complex patients as soon as
clinically possible creates a substantial referral source for our long-term
hospitals.

The Social Security Amendments of 1983 excluded certain hospitals,
including general long-term hospitals, from the hospital prospective payment
system. A general long-term hospital is defined as a hospital that has an
average length of stay greater than 25 days. Inpatient operating costs for
general long-term hospitals are reimbursed under the cost-based reimbursement
system, subject to a computed target rate per discharge for inpatient operating
costs established by TEFRA. As discussed below, the Balanced Budget Act made
significant changes to TEFRA's provisions.

Prior to the Balanced Budget Act, Medicare operating costs per discharge in
excess of the computed target rate were reimbursed at the rate of 50% of the
excess, up to 10% of the computed target rate. Hospitals whose operating costs
were lower than the computed target rate were reimbursed their actual costs plus
an incentive. For cost report periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997,
the Balanced Budget Act reduced the incentive payments to an amount equal to 15%
of the difference between the actual costs and the computed target rate, but not
to exceed 2% of the computed target rate. Costs in excess of the computed
target rate are still being reimbursed at the rate of 50% of the excess, up to
10% of the computed target rate, but the threshold to qualify for such payments
was raised from 100% to 110% of the computed target rate.

Since the adoption of the Balanced Budget Act, a new provider will no
longer receive unlimited cost-based reimbursement for its first few years in
operation. Instead, for the first two years, it will be paid the lower of its
costs or 110% of the median of TEFRA's computed target rate for 1996 adjusted
for inflation. During this two-year period, new providers are not eligible to
receive TEFRA relief or incentive payments discussed in the previous paragraph.

As of June 30, 2001, all of our long-term acute care hospitals were subject
to TEFRA's computed target rate provisions. The reduction in TEFRA's incentive
payments has had a material adverse effect on our hospital division's operating
results. These reductions, which began between May 1, 1998 and September 1, 1998
with respect to our hospitals, are expected to have a material adverse impact on
hospital division revenues in the future and may impact adversely our ability to
develop additional free-standing, long-term acute care hospitals.

We also operate four general acute care hospitals that are subject to the
hospital prospective payment system and are not subject to TEFRA's computed
target rate provisions.

Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements generally are determined from annual
cost reports that we file, which are subject to audit by the respective agency
administering the programs. We believe that adequate provisions for loss have
been recorded to reflect any adjustments that could result from audits of these
cost reports.

Federal regulations provide that admission to and utilization of hospitals
by Medicare and Medicaid patients must be reviewed by peer review organizations
in order to ensure efficient utilization of hospitals and services. A peer
review organization may conduct such review either prospectively or
retroactively and may, as appropriate, recommend denial of payments for services
provided to a patient. The review is subject to administrative and judicial
appeal. Each of the hospitals operated by our hospital division employs a
clinical professional to administer the hospital's integrated quality assurance
and improvement program, including its utilization review program. Peer review
organization denials have not had a material adverse effect on the hospital
division's operating results.

The antikickback amendments discussed above prohibit certain business
practices and relationships that might affect the provision and cost of
healthcare services reimbursable under federal healthcare programs. Sanctions
for violating these amendments include criminal and civil penalties and
exclusion from federal healthcare programs. Pursuant to the Medicare and
Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987, the Department of Health
and Human Services and the Office of the Inspector General specified certain
safe harbors that describe conduct and business relationships permissible under
the antikickback amendments. These safe harbor regulations have resulted in
more aggressive enforcement of the antikickback amendments by the Department of
Health and Human Services and the Office of the Inspector General.

Section 1877 of the Social Security Act, commonly known as "Stark I,"
states that a physician who has a financial relationship with a clinical
laboratory generally is prohibited from referring patients to that laboratory.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 contains provisions, commonly
known as "Stark II," amending

Section 1877 to expand greatly the scope of Stark I. Effective January 1995,
Stark II broadened the referral limitations of Stark I to include, among other
designated health services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services. Under
Stark I and Stark II, a "financial relationship" is defined as an ownership
interest or a compensation arrangement. If such a financial relationship exists,
the entity generally is prohibited from claiming payment for such services under
the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Compensation arrangements generally are
exempted from Stark I and Stark II if, among other things, the compensation to
be paid is set in advance, does not exceed fair market value and is not
determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any
referrals or other business generated between the parties. These laws and
regulations, however, are complex and the industry has the benefit of limited
judicial or regulatory interpretation. We believe that business practices of
providers and financial relationships between providers have become subject to
increased scrutiny as healthcare reform efforts continue on the federal and
state levels.

The pharmacy operations within the hospital division are subject to
regulation by the various states in which business is conducted as well as by
the federal government. The pharmacies are regulated under the Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act and the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, which are administered by
the United States Food and Drug Administration. Under the Comprehensive Drug
Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, which is administered by the United
States Drug Enforcement Administration, dispensers of controlled substances must
register with the Drug Enforcement Administration, file reports of inventories
and transactions and provide adequate security measures. Failure to comply with
such requirements could result in civil or criminal penalties.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. Hospitals
receive accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
Organizations, a nationwide commission that establishes standards relating to
the physical plant, administration, quality of patient care and operation of
medical staffs of hospitals. Generally, hospitals and certain other healthcare
facilities are required to have been in operation at least six months in order
to be eligible for accreditation by the Joint Commission. After conducting on-
site surveys, the Joint Commission awards accreditation for up to three years to
hospitals found to be in substantial compliance with Joint Commission standards.
Accredited hospitals are periodically resurveyed, at the option of the Joint
Commission, upon a major change in facilities or organization and after merger
or consolidation. As of June 30, 2001, all of the hospitals operated by the
hospital division were accredited by the Joint Commission. The hospital division
intends to seek and obtain Joint Commission accreditation for any additional
facilities it may purchase or lease and convert into long-term hospitals. We do
not believe that the failure to obtain Joint Commission accreditation at any
hospital would have a material adverse effect on the hospital division's results
of operations.

Regulatory Changes

The Balanced Budget Act contained extensive changes to the Medicare and
Medicaid programs intended to reduce the projected amount of increase in
payments under those programs over a five year period. Virtually all spending
reductions were derived from reimbursements to providers and changes in program
components. The Balanced Budget Act has affected adversely the revenues in both
of our operating divisions.

The Balanced Budget Act established a Medicare prospective payment system
for nursing centers for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1,
1998. All of our nursing centers adopted PPS on July 1, 1998. The payments
received under PPS cover all services for Medicare patients including all
ancillary services, such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational
therapy, speech therapy and certain covered pharmaceuticals.

The Balanced Budget Act also reduced payments made to our hospitals by
reducing TEFRA incentive payments, allowable costs for capital expenditures and
bad debts, and payments for services to patients transferred from a general
acute care hospital. The reductions in allowable costs for capital expenditures
became effective October 1, 1997. The reductions in the TEFRA incentive
payments and allowable costs for bad debts became effective between May 1, 1998
and September 1, 1998. The reductions in payments for services to patients
transferred from a general acute care hospital became effective October 1, 1998.
These reductions have had a material adverse impact on hospital revenues. In
addition, these reductions also may affect adversely the hospital division's
ability to develop or acquire additional free-standing, long-term acute care
hospitals in the future.

Under PPS, the volume of ancillary services provided per patient day to
nursing center patients also has declined dramatically. Medicare reimbursements
to nursing centers under PPS include substantially all services

provided to patients, including ancillary services. Prior to the implementation
of PPS, the costs of such services were reimbursed under cost-based
reimbursement rules. The decline in the demand for ancillary services since the
implementation of PPS is mostly attributable to efforts by nursing centers to
reduce operating costs. As a result, many nursing centers have elected to
provide ancillary services to their patients through internal staff. In response
to PPS and a significant decline in the demand for ancillary services, we
realigned our former ancillary services division in 1999 by integrating its
physical rehabilitation, speech and occupational therapy businesses into the
health services division and assigning its institutional pharmacy business to
the hospital division. Our respiratory therapy and other ancillary businesses
were discontinued.

Since November 1999, various legislative and regulatory actions have
provided a measure of relief from the impact of the Balanced Budget Act. In
November 1999, the Balanced Budget Refinement Act, commonly referred to as
"BBRA," was enacted. Effective April 1, 2000, the BBRA (a) implemented a 20%
upward adjustment in the payment rates for the care of higher acuity patients,
effective until the enactment of a revised Resource Utilization Grouping payment
system and (b) allowed nursing centers to transition more rapidly to the federal
payment rates. The BBRA also imposed a two-year moratorium on certain therapy
limitations for skilled nursing center patients covered under Medicare Part B.
Effective October 1, 2000, the BBRA increased all PPS payment categories by 4%
through September 30, 2002.

In April 2000, CMS published a proposed rule which sets forth updates to
the Resource Utilization Grouping payment rates used under PPS for nursing
centers. On July 31, 2000, CMS issued a final rule that indefinitely postponed
any refinements to the Resource Utilization Grouping categories used under PPS.
As such, the 20% upward adjustment for certain higher acuity Resource
Utilization Grouping categories set forth in the BBRA was automatically extended
until the Resource Utilization Grouping refinements are enacted. On July 31,
2001, CMS issued another final rule which did not establish such refinements,
and accordingly, the 20% adjustment will remain in place until the Resource
Utilization Grouping categories are refined.

In December 2000, the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Child Health Insurance
Program Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, commonly referred to as
"BIPA," was enacted to provide up to $35 billion in additional funding to the
Medicare and Medicaid programs over the next five years. Under BIPA, the nursing
component for each Resource Utilization Grouping category was increased by
16.66% over the existing rates for skilled nursing care for the period April 1,
2001 through September 30, 2002. BIPA also provided some relief from scheduled
reductions to the annual inflation adjustments to the Resource Utilization
Grouping payment rates through September 2001.

In addition, BIPA slightly increased payments for inpatient services and
TEFRA incentive payments for long-term acute care hospitals. Allowable costs
for bad debts also will be increased by 15%. Both of these provisions are
effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after September 1, 2001.

Despite the recent legislation and regulatory actions discussed above,
Medicare revenues recorded under PPS in our health services division are less
than the cost-based reimbursement we received before the enactment of the
Balanced Budget Act. In addition, the recent legislation did not impact
materially the reductions in Medicare revenues received by our hospitals as a
result of the Balanced Budget Act.

There continue to be legislative and regulatory proposals that would impose
more limitations on government and private payments to providers of healthcare
services. Congress has directed the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services to develop a prospective payment system applicable
specifically to long-term acute care hospitals by October 1, 2001. The new
prospective payment system would be effective for cost report periods beginning
on or after October 1, 2002. This payment system would not impact us until
September 1, 2003. To date, the Secretary has not proposed such a prospective
payment system. Congress has further directed that if the Secretary is unable
to implement a prospective payment system specific to long-term acute care
hospitals by October 1, 2002, the Secretary shall instead implement, as of such
date, a prospective payment system for long-term acute care hospitals based upon
existing hospital diagnosis-related groups modified where feasible to account
for resource use of long-term acute care hospital patients. We cannot predict
the content or timing of such regulations. We cannot assure you that such
regulations will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition
and results of operations.

By repealing the Boren Amendment, the Balanced Budget Act eased existing
impediments on the ability of states to reduce their Medicaid reimbursement
levels. Many states are considering or have enacted measures that are designed
to reduce their Medicaid expenditures and to make certain changes to private
healthcare insurance. Some states also are considering regulatory changes that
include a moratorium on the designation of additional long-term care hospitals.
Additionally, regulatory changes in the Medicaid reimbursement system applicable
to the hospital division also are being considered. There also are legislative
proposals including cost caps and the establishment of Medicaid prospective
payment systems for nursing centers.

We could be adversely affected by the continuing efforts of governmental
and private third-party payors to contain healthcare costs. We cannot assure
you that payments under governmental and private third-party payor programs will
remain at levels comparable to present levels or will be sufficient to cover the
costs allocable to patients eligible for reimbursement pursuant to such
programs. In addition, we cannot assure you that the facilities we operate, or
the provision of services and supplies by us, will meet the requirements for
participation in such programs.

We cannot assure you that future healthcare legislation or other changes in
the administration or interpretation of governmental healthcare programs will
not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or
financial position.

Information Systems

Our information systems strategy is focused on utilizing industry-leading
technology to allow us to operate efficiently and effectively under fixed
reimbursement levels and increased regulatory compliance requirements. Our
information systems activities are determined by the operational strategies and
priorities of each of our operating divisions.

Our integrated financial system allows for timely monthly reporting of
financial results on a company-wide basis. In addition, extensive data
warehouse capabilities across each operating division allows us to access
sophisticated clinical and financial management information at a local, regional
and corporate level, enhancing our ability to manage operational performance.
In 2000, we installed a new integrated human resources and payroll system in all
of our hospitals and the corporate office. We are currently implementing this
system in our nursing centers.

In 2000, we developed new education tracking and event reporting systems to
support the Corporate Integrity Agreement. We also implemented in 2000 an
internet-based distance learning tool which provides a cost-effective method to
deliver timely training to employees. Company-wide access to various data
through internet-based solutions has improved operating efficiencies and reduced
administrative costs.

The information systems for the health services division provide support
for product line management and third-party reimbursement. The resident care
system is an internally developed business application that captures patient
assessment data to ensure that minimum data set assessment forms are filed
accurately and timely with reimbursement sources in each state. Our clinical
care management system blends clinical and financial results within our data
warehouse to provide a decision support platform for delivering high quality
care in an economical manner. Our quality reporting system, based on the
industry-standard quality indicators used by CMS, allows each facility to
monitor and manage the quality of care being delivered. A new internet-based
patient referral system is enhancing the health services division's
relationships with hospital discharge planners by facilitating the search to
locate appropriate nursing centers for patients and automating the communication
of critical patient data between the discharging and admitting facilities.

Our hospitals utilize ProTouch(TM), formerly named VenTouch(TM), an
internally developed electronic patient medical record system that was designed
specifically for the long-term acute care environment. ProTouch(TM) is a
software application that allows nurses, physicians and other clinicians to
enter clinical information during the patient care delivery process and view an
electronic patient chart. In order to achieve compliance with the new HIPAA
regulations regarding electronically transmitted health data, we are enhancing
ProTouch(TM) to meet the government mandated patient data privacy and security
requirements. A new internally developed system, CustomCare, classifies patients
based on a combination of acuity and required nursing interventions, which

allows us to monitor employee skill mix and manage labor costs. Our information
systems also assist us in managing staffing levels and monitoring quality
indicators at the facility, regional and corporate levels.

Our information systems architecture provides a reliable, scalable
infrastructure that is based on personal computers in the facilities connected
by a wide-area network to our centralized data center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Our information system network allows us to operate over 8,000 distributed
personal computers and 600 centrally located servers on a continuous basis.

Employees

At September 30, 2001, we employed approximately 39,600 full-time employees
and 13,400 part-time and per diem employees. Approximately 3,600 of our
employees are union members. We believe that our employee relations are
satisfactory.

Legal Proceedings

Our subsidiary, formerly named TheraTx, Incorporated, is a plaintiff in a
declaratory judgment action entitled TheraTx, Incorporated v. James W. Duncan,
Jr., et al., No. 1:95-CV-3193, filed in the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Georgia and currently pending in the United States Court of
Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, No. 99-11451-FF. The defendants asserted
counterclaims against TheraTx under breach of contract, securities fraud,
negligent misrepresentation and other fraud theories for allegedly not
performing as promised under a merger agreement related to TheraTx's purchase of
a company called PersonaCare, Inc. and for allegedly failing to inform the
defendants/counterclaimants prior to the merger that TheraTx's possible
acquisition of Southern Management Services, Inc. might cause the suspension of
TheraTx's shelf registration under relevant rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The court granted summary judgment for the
defendants/counterclaimants and ruled that TheraTx breached the shelf
registration provision in the merger agreement, but dismissed the defendants'
remaining counterclaims. Additionally, the court ruled after trial that
defendants/counterclaimants were entitled to damages and prejudgment interest in
the amount of approximately $1.3 million and attorneys' fees and other
litigation expenses of approximately $700,000. We and the
defendants/counterclaimants both appealed the court's rulings. The United
States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the trial court's
rulings in TheraTx's favor, with the exception of the damages award, and
certified the question of the proper calculation of damages under Delaware law
to the Delaware Supreme Court. The Delaware Supreme Court issued an opinion on
June 1, 2001, which sets forth a rule for determining such damages but did not
calculate any actual damages. On June 25, 2001, the Eleventh Circuit remanded
the action to the trial court to render a decision consistent with the Delaware
Supreme Court's ruling. On July 24, 2001, the defendants filed a Notice of
Bankruptcy Stay in the trial court. We are defending the action vigorously.

On August 13, 2001, we and TheraTx, Incorporated filed an Objection and
Complaint in an action entitled Vencor, Inc. and TheraTx Inc. v. James W.
Duncan, et al., Adversary Proceeding No. 01-6117 (MFW), in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint seeks to
subordinate and disallow the defendants' bankruptcy claim or, alternatively, to
reduce the claim by and recover from the defendants a preferential payment made
by the debtors to the defendants. The complaint also seeks an injunction
against any efforts by the defendants to enforce the judgment ultimately granted
in the above litigation pending in the Northern District of Georgia.

We are pursuing various claims against private insurance companies who
issued Medicare supplement insurance policies to individuals who became patients
of our hospitals. After the patients' Medicare benefits are exhausted, the
insurance companies become liable to pay the insureds' bills pursuant to the
terms of these policies. We have filed numerous collection actions against
various of these insurers to collect the difference between what Medicare would
have paid and the hospitals' usual and customary charges. These disputes arise
from differences in interpretation of the policy provisions and federal and
state laws governing such policies. Various courts have issued various rulings
on the different issues, some of which have been adverse to us and most of which
have been appealed. We intend to continue to pursue these claims vigorously.

A class action lawsuit entitled A. Carl Helwig v. Vencor, Inc., et al., was
filed on December 24, 1997 in the United States District Court for the Western
District of Kentucky (Civil Action No. 3-97CV-8354). The class action

claims were brought by an alleged stockholder of our predecessor against us and
Ventas and certain of our and Ventas' current and former executive officers and
directors and those of Ventas. The complaint alleges that we, Ventas and certain
of our and Ventas' current and former executive officers during a specified time
frame violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
by, among other things, issuing to the investing public a series of false and
misleading statements concerning Ventas' then current operations and the
inherent value of its common stock. The complaint further alleges that as a
result of these purported false and misleading statements concerning Ventas'
revenues and successful acquisitions, the price of the common stock was
artificially inflated. In particular, the complaint alleges that the defendants
issued false and misleading financial statements during the first, second and
third calendar quarters of 1997 which misrepresented and understated the impact
that changes in Medicare reimbursement policies would have on Ventas' core
services and profitability. The complaint further alleges that the defendants
issued a series of materially false statements concerning the purportedly
successful integration of Ventas' acquisitions and prospective earnings per
share for 1997 and 1998 which the defendants knew lacked any reasonable basis
and were not being achieved. The suit seeks damages in an amount to be proven at
trial, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, reasonable attorneys' fees,
expert witness fees and other costs, and any extraordinary equitable and/or
injunctive relief permitted by law or equity to assure that the plaintiff has an
effective remedy. In December 1998, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the
case. The court converted the defendants' motion to dismiss into a motion for
summary judgment and granted summary judgment as to all defendants. The
plaintiff appealed the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the
Sixth Circuit. On April 24, 2000, the Sixth Circuit affirmed the district
court's dismissal of the action on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to
state a claim upon which relief could be granted. On July 14, 2000, the Sixth
Circuit granted the plaintiff's petition for a rehearing en banc. On May 31,
2001, the Sixth Circuit issued its en banc decision reversing the trial court's
dismissal of the complaint. The defendants filed a Petition for Certiorari
seeking review of the Sixth Circuit's decision in the United States Supreme
Court on September 27, 2001. We are defending this action vigorously.

A shareholder derivative suit entitled Thomas G. White on behalf of Vencor,
Inc. and Ventas, Inc. v. W. Bruce Lunsford, et al., Case No. 98CI03669, was
filed in June 1998 in the Jefferson County, Kentucky, Circuit Court. The suit
was brought on behalf of us and Ventas against certain current and former
executive officers and directors of ours and Ventas. The complaint alleges that
the defendants damaged us and Ventas by engaging in violations of the securities
laws, engaging in insider trading, fraud and securities fraud and damaging our
reputation and that of Ventas. The plaintiff asserts that such actions were
taken deliberately, in bad faith and constitute breaches of the defendants'
duties of loyalty and due care. The complaint is based on substantially similar
assertions to those made in the class action lawsuit entitled A. Carl Helwig v.
Vencor, Inc., et al., discussed above. The suit seeks unspecified damages,
interest, punitive damages, reasonable attorneys' fees, expert witness fees and
other costs, and any extraordinary equitable and/or injunctive relief permitted
by law or equity to assure that we and Ventas have an effective remedy. We
believe that the allegations in the complaint are without merit and intend to
defend this action vigorously.

A class action lawsuit entitled Jules Brody v. Transitional Hospitals
Corporation, et al., Case No. CV-S-97-00747-PMP, was filed on June 19, 1997 in
the United States District Court for the District of Nevada on behalf of a class
consisting of all persons who sold shares of Transitional Hospitals Corporation
common stock during the period from February 26, 1997 through May 4, 1997,
inclusive. The complaint alleges that Transitional purchased shares of its
common stock from members of the investing public after it had received a
written offer to acquire all of the Transitional common stock and without making
the required disclosure that such an offer had been made. The complaint further
alleges that defendants disclosed that there were "expressions of interest" in
acquiring Transitional when, in fact, at that time, the negotiations had reached
an advanced stage with actual firm offers at substantial premiums to the trading
price of Transitional's stock having been made which were actively being
considered by Transitional's Board of Directors. The complaint asserts claims
pursuant to Sections 10(b), 14(e) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and common law principles of negligent misrepresentation, and names as
defendants Transitional as well as certain former senior executives and
directors of Transitional. The plaintiff seeks class certification, unspecified
damages, attorneys' fees and costs. In June 1998, the court granted our motion
to dismiss with leave to amend the Section 10(b) claim and the state law claims
for misrepresentation. The court denied our motion to dismiss the Section 14(e)
and Section 20(a) claims, after which we filed a motion for reconsideration. On
March 23, 1999, the court granted our motion to dismiss all remaining claims and
the case was dismissed. The plaintiff has appealed this ruling to the United
States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. We are defending this action
vigorously.

In connection with our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, we,
Ventas and the Department of Justice, acting on behalf of itself, the Department
of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General and CMS, entered into
a government settlement, which resolved all known claims arising out of all
known investigations being made by the Department of Justice and the Office of
Inspector General including certain pending qui tam, or whistleblower, actions.
Under the government settlement, the government was required to move to dismiss
with prejudice to the United States and the relators (except for certain claims
which will be dismissed without prejudice to the United States in certain of the
cases) the pending qui tam actions as against any or all of us and our
subsidiaries, Ventas and any current or former officers, directors and employees
of either entity.

Except for the qui tam action described in this paragraph, all other known
pending qui tam actions against us have been resolved by the government
settlement. The only remaining case is entitled United States, et al., ex rel.
Phillips-Minks, et al. v. Transitional Corp., et al., filed in the United States
District Court for Southern District of California on July 23, 1998. In this
action, the defendants, including Transitional Hospitals Corporation and Ventas,
are alleged to have submitted and conspired to submit false claims and
statements to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal and state funded programs
during a period commencing in 1993. The conduct complained of allegedly
violates the Federal Civil False Claims Act, the California False Claims Act,
the Florida False Claims Act, the Tennessee Health Care False Claims Act, and
the Illinois Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act. The defendants allegedly
submitted improper and erroneous claims to Medicare, Medicaid and other
programs, for improper or unnecessary services and services not performed,
inadequate collections efforts associated with billing and collecting bad debts,
inflated and nonexistent laboratory charges, false and inadequate documentation
of claims, splitting charges, shifting revenues and expenses, transferring
patients to hospitals that are reimbursed by Medicare at a higher level, failing
to return duplicate reimbursement payments, and improperly allocating hospital
insurance expenses. In addition, the complaint alleges that the defendants were
inconsistent in their reporting of cost report data, paid kickbacks to increase
patient referrals to hospitals, and incorrectly reported employee compensation
resulting in inflated employee 401(k) contributions. The complaint seeks
unspecified damages. We dispute the allegations in the complaint and intend to
defend this action vigorously. On July 27, 2001, the court ordered that the
Department of Justice be allowed to intervene in the action to effectuate the
government settlement contained in our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization. There can be no assurance that the court will dismiss this case
upon the motion by the Department of Justice.

In connection with our spin-off from Ventas in 1998, liabilities arising
from various legal proceedings and other actions were assumed by us and we
agreed to indemnify Ventas against any losses, including any costs or expenses,
it may incur arising out of or in connection with such legal proceedings and
other actions. The indemnification provided by us also covers losses, including
costs and expenses, which may arise from any future claims asserted against
Ventas based on the former healthcare operations of Ventas. In connection with
our indemnification obligation, we assumed the defense of various legal
proceedings and other actions. Under our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization, we agreed to continue to fulfill our indemnification obligations
arising from the 1998 spin-off.

We are a party to certain legal actions and regulatory investigations
arising in the normal course of our business. We are unable to predict the
ultimate outcome of pending litigation and regulatory investigations. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the Department of Justice, CMS or other
regulatory agencies will not initiate additional investigations related to our
businesses in the future, nor can there be any assurance that the resolution of
any litigation or investigations, either individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or
financial position. In addition, the above litigation and investigations (as
well as future litigation and investigations) are expected to consume the time
and attention of our management and may have a disruptive effect upon our
operations.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations
governing the use, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials, including
medical waste products. Compliance with these laws and regulations is not
expected to have a material adverse effect on us. It is possible, however, that
environmental issues may arise in the future which we cannot now predict.

MANAGEMENT

The following sets forth information regarding our executive officers and
directors as of June 30, 2001.

Name Age Position

Edward L. Kuntz ................. 56 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

Richard A. Schweinhart .......... 51 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Frank J. Battafarano ............ 50 President, Hospital Division

Donald D. Finney ................ 54 President, Health Services Division

Richard E. Chapman .............. 53 Chief Administrative and Information Officer and Senior Vice President

James H. Gillenwater, Jr. ....... 44 Senior Vice President, Planning and Development

M. Suzanne Riedman .............. 50 Senior Vice President and General Counsel

William M. Altman ............... 42 Vice President of Compliance and Government Programs

Richard A. Lechleiter ........... 43 Vice President, Finance, Corporate Controller and Treasurer

James Bolin ..................... 42 Director

Michael J. Embler ............... 37 Director

Garry N. Garrison ............... 54 Director

Isaac Kaufman ................... 54 Director

John H. Klein ................... 55 Director

David A. Tepper ................. 43 Director

Edward L. Kuntz has served as our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President since January 1999. He served as our President, Chief
Operating Officer and director from November 1998 to January 1999. Mr. Kuntz
was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Living Centers of America, Inc., a
leading provider of long-term healthcare, from 1992 to 1997. After leaving
Living Centers of America, Inc., he served as an advisor and consultant to a
number of healthcare services and investment companies and was affiliated with
Austin Ventures, a venture capital firm. In addition, Mr. Kuntz served as
Associate General Counsel and later as Executive Vice President of ARA Living
Centers until the formation of Living Centers of America, Inc. in 1992.

Richard A. Schweinhart, a certified public accountant, has served as our
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 1998. Mr.
Schweinhart was Senior Vice President--Columbia Sponsored Networks for
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. from March 1996 through September 1998. From
April 1995 until March 1996, he served as Senior Vice President--Nonhospital
Operations and from September 1993 until April 1995 as Senior Vice President--
Finance of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. Mr. Schweinhart served as Senior Vice
President--Finance for both Galen Health Care, Inc. and Humana, Inc. from
November 1991 to September 1993.

Frank J. Battafarano has served as our President, Hospital Division since
November 1998. He served as our Vice President of Operations from April 1998 to
November 1998. He held the same position with our predecessor from February
1998 to April 1998. From May 1996 to January 1998, Mr. Battafarano served as
Senior Vice President of the central regional office of our predecessor. From
January 1992 to April 1996, he served as an executive director and hospital
administrator for our predecessor.

Donald D. Finney has served as our President, Health Services Division
since January 1999. During 1998, Mr. Finney was Chief Executive Officer of HCMF
Corporation, a privately held post-acute and assisted living provider. From
January 1997 to December 1997, he served as Chief Operating Officer of
Summerville Healthcare Group, Inc., an operator of assisted living facilities.
He served as President of the Facilities Division of GranCare, Inc. from July
1995 to January 1997. From October 1990 to July 1995, Mr. Finney served as
Chief Operating Officer of Evergreen Healthcare, Inc., an operator of long-term
care and assisted living facilities.

Richard E. Chapman has served as our Chief Administrative and Information
Officer and Senior Vice President since January 2001. From April 1998 to
January 2001, he served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Information
Officer. Mr. Chapman served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information
Officer of our predecessor from October 1997 to April 1998. From March 1993 to
October 1997, he was Senior Vice President of Information Systems of
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., Vice President of Galen Health Care, Inc. from
March 1993 to August 1993, and Vice President of Humana, Inc. from September
1988 to February 1993.

James H. Gillenwater, Jr. has served as our Senior Vice President, Planning
and Development since April 1998. Mr. Gillenwater served as Senior Vice
President, Planning and Development of our predecessor from December 1996 to
April 1998. From November 1995 through December 1996, he served as Vice
President, Planning and Development of our predecessor and was Director of
Planning and Development from 1989 to November 1995.

M. Suzanne Riedman, an attorney, has served as our Senior Vice President
and General Counsel since August 1999. She served as our Vice President and
Associate General Counsel from April 1998 to August 1999. Ms. Riedman held the
same position with our predecessor from January 1997 to April 1998. She joined
our predecessor as counsel in September 1995 and became Associate General
Counsel in January 1996. Ms. Riedman served as counsel to another large long-
term healthcare provider in various capacities from 1990 to 1995. Prior to that
time, Ms. Riedman was in the private practice of law for 11 years.

William M. Altman, an attorney, has served as our Vice President of
Compliance and Government Programs since October 1999. He served as Operations
Counsel in our law department from May 1998 to September 1999. He held the same
position with our predecessor from June 1996 through April 1998. Prior to
joining our predecessor, Mr. Altman was in the private practice of law for ten
years and held other consulting and government positions in healthcare.

Richard A. Lechleiter, a certified public accountant, has served as our
Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller since April 1998 and also has
served as Treasurer since July 1998. Mr. Lechleiter served as Vice President,
Finance and Corporate Controller of our predecessor from November 1995 to April
1998. From June 1995 to November 1995, he was Director of Finance for our
predecessor. Mr. Lechleiter was Vice President and Controller of Columbia/HCA
Healthcare Corp. from September 1993 to May 1995, of Galen Health Care, Inc.
from March 1993 to August 1993, and of Humana, Inc. from September 1990 to
February 1993.

James Bolin has served as a director of our company since April 2001.
Since 1995, Mr. Bolin has been Vice President and Secretary of Appaloosa
Management L.P. Mr. Bolin serves as a director of Inamed Corporation, a global
surgical and medical device company, and Bio-Plexus, Inc., a designer and
manufacturer of safety medical products.

Michael J. Embler has served as a director of our company since July 2001.
Since July 2001, Mr. Embler has been Vice President of Franklin Mutual Advisers,
LLC. From October 1992 to May 2001, he served in various positions with Nomura
Holding America, most recently as Managing Director.

Garry N. Garrison has served as a director of our company since April 2001.
From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Garrison served as Senior Vice President of Dynamic
Healthcare Solutions, Inc., a venture capital firm specializing in high-growth,
health related businesses. From 1996 to 1997, he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer, Specialty Services Division of the Foundation Health Systems,
Inc., overseeing operations for various specialty services companies. Mr.
Garrison also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Integrated
Pharmaceutical Services from 1994 to 1996.

Isaac Kaufman, a certified public accountant, has served as a director of
our company since April 2001. Since September 1998, Mr. Kaufman has served as
the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Medical
Management Inc., a manager of medical practices and an outpatient surgical
center. From February 1998 to September 1998, he served as the Chief Financial
Officer of Bio Science Contract Production Corp., a contract manufacturer of
bulk pharmaceuticals and biologics. Mr. Kaufman also served as Chief Financial
Officer of VSI Group, Inc. From October 1996 to February 1998. Mr. Kaufman
serves as a director of TransWorld Entertainment Corporation, a leading
specialty retailer of music and video products.

John H. Klein has served as a director of our company since April 2001.
Mr. Klein has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic
Business and Technology Solutions, LLC, a strategy business and technology
advisory firm, since June 1998. Mr. Klein also has served as the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of BI Logix, Inc., a business intelligence software
solutions company, since May 1998. In addition, he has served as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of DentalLine.com, a group benefit and internet company,
since July 1999. From March 1998 to August 2000, he served as Director and Vice
Chairman of Image Vision, a developer and marketer of imaging systems and
products. Mr. Klein also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
MIM Corporation, a provider of pharmacy benefit services, from 1996 to May 1998.
Mr. Klein is a director of U.S. Interactive, Inc. and Sunbeam Corporation.

David A. Tepper has served as a director of our company since April 2001.
Mr. Tepper has been President of Appaloosa Management, L.P. since 1993. Mr.
Tepper also serves as a director of Inamed Corporation, a global surgical and
medical device company.

Each of the executive officers serves at the pleasure of the board of
directors.

In addition to the executive officers listed above, we are currently
searching for an individual to serve as President of our company. This
individual will be responsible for various management duties, including
management of our day-to-day operations, and would report directly to Mr. Kuntz,
who will continue to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We expect
to fill this position by the end of 2001.

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2001, certain information
regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock and Series A
and Series B warrants by:

. each of our directors and executive officers,

. all of our directors and executive officers as a group, and

. each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our
common stock and/or warrants.

Unless otherwise stated, the address for each of our directors and executive
officers is 680 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2412.

Information with respect to the common stock and the Series A and Series B
warrants held by each selling security holder has been furnished to us by the
selling security holders and other sources that we have not verified.

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial
Name and Address of Ownership Prior to Percent of Class Owned Prior
Beneficial Owner the Offering (1) to the Offering (10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Series A Series B Common Series A Series B
Stock Warrants Warrants Stock Warrants Warrants
--------- --------- --------- ------- -------- --------

Directors and Executive Officers
Edward L. Kuntz ............................... 135,000 (2) - - * - -
James Bolin ................................... 5,496,822 (3) 720,398 1,800,996 30.3 36.0 36.0
Michael J. Embler ............................. - - - - - -
Garry N. Garrison ............................. - - - - - -
Isaac Kaufman ................................. - - - - - -
John H. Klein ................................. - - - - - -
David A. Tepper ............................... 5,496,822 (3) 720,398 1,800,996 30.3 36.0 36.0
William M. Altman ............................. 23,700 (2) - - * - -
Frank J. Battafarano .......................... 33,900 (2) - - * - -
Richard E. Chapman ............................ 38,500 (2) - - * - -
Donald D. Finney .............................. 38,500 (2) - - * - -
James H. Gillenwater, Jr. ..................... 22,300 (2) - - * - -
Richard A. Lechleiter ......................... 23,700 (2) - - * - -
M. Suzanne Riedman ............................ 28,000 (2) - - * - -
Richard A. Schweinhart ........................ 38,500 (2) - - * - -

All Directors and Executive Officers as a
Group (15 persons) ......................... 5,878,992 (4) 720,398 1,800,996 32.4 36.0 36.0

Other Stockholders with More than 5% Ownership
Appaloosa Management L.P., Appaloosa Partners,
Inc. and David A. Tepper (3) ............... 5,496,822 720,398 1,800,996 30.3 36.0 36.0
Stephen Feinberg (5) .......................... 1,181,451 - - 7.6 - -
Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (6) ............. 5,423,181 560,242 1,400,603 30.9 28.0 28.0
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and The Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc. (7) ............................... 2,013,490 170,594 426,484 12.4 8.5 8.5
Van Kampen Prime Rate Income Trust (8) ......... 1,064,604 - - 6.8 - -
Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership (9) ......... 1,498,500 - - 9.6 - -

_______________

* Denotes less than 1%.

(1) Such information assumes that (a) options or warrants that are held by such
person (but not those held by any other person) and which are exercisable
within 60 days from the date of this prospectus have been exercised and (b)
to the extent publicly available information does not specify which portion
of certain shares of common stock is in the form of warrants, such shares
are held in the form of common stock. Unless otherwise noted, we believe
that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares of common stock and/or warrants beneficially
owned by them.
(2) These shares represent restricted shares awarded under our restricted share
plan. One-third of these shares vested on May 21, 2001 and the remaining
two-thirds will vest as follows: 15% on each of the first and second
anniversary of the date of grant; 20% on the third anniversary of the date
of grant and 50% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. In the
underwritten offering completed on November 14, 2001, certain of our
directors and executive officers sold part of their shares of common stock
as follows: Edward L. Kuntz - 10,000 shares; William M. Altman - 3,900
shares; Frank J. Battafarano - 3,000 shares; Richard E. Chapman - 7,500
shares; Donald D. Finney - 10,000 shares; James H. Gillenwater, Jr. - 2,500
shares; Richard A. Lechleiter - 6,500 shares; M. Suzanne Riedman - 2,300
shares; Richard A Schwienhart - 7,500 shares.

(3) Based on a Schedule 13D jointly filed by Appaloosa Management L.P.,
Appaloosa Partners, Inc. and David A. Tepper on April 26, 2001 with the SEC
and a Form 3 jointly filed with the SEC by Appaloosa Management L.P.,
Appaloosa Partners, Inc., David A. Tepper and James Bolin. According to
these filings, Mr. Tepper is the sole stockholder and President of
Appaloosa Partners, Inc. Mr. Bolin is a Vice President and Secretary of
Appaloosa Partners, Inc. Appaloosa Partners, Inc. is the general partner of
Appaloosa Management L.P. Appaloosa Management L.P. is the general partner
of Appaloosa Investment Limited Partnership I and acts as an investment
advisor to Palomino Fund Ltd. Under our Fourth Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization, Appaloosa Investment Limited Partnership I and Palomino
Fund Ltd. received (a) 2,975,428 shares of common stock, (b) 720,398 Series
A warrants and (c) 1,800,996 Series B warrants. According to the Schedule
13D, Appaloosa Management L.P., Appaloosa Partners, Inc. and Mr. Tepper may
be deemed to have the sole voting and dispositive power with respect to
5,496,822 shares of common stock, of which 2,521,394 represent shares
issuable upon exercise of the Series A and Series B warrants. In an
underwritten offering completed on November 14, 2001, Appaloosa Management
L.P. and its affiliates sold 500,000 shares. The address of Appaloosa
Management L.P., Appaloosa Partners, Inc., David A. Tepper and James Bolin
is 26 Main Street, 1st Floor, Chatham, New Jersey 07928.

(4) The number of shares of common stock shown in the table includes shares
issuable upon the exercise of 720,398 Series A warrants and 1,800,996
Series B warrants. See note 3.

(5) Based on a Schedule 13D filed by Stephen Feinberg on May 8, 2001 with the
SEC. Cerberus Institutional Partners, L.P. is the holder of 244,530 shares
of common stock, Cerberus International, Ltd. is the holder of 630,157
shares of common stock and various other private investment funds own in
the aggregate 306,764 shares of common stock. Based on the Schedule 13D,
Stephen Feinberg possesses sole power to vote and direct the disposition of
all securities described in the immediately preceding sentence. The address
of Mr. Feinberg is 450 Park Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

(6) Based on a Schedule 13D filed by Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC on April 20,
2001 with the SEC and other information available to us. According to the
Schedule 13D, the common stock reported in the Schedule 13D is beneficially
owned by one or more open-end investment companies or other management
accounts of Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC. Under its advisory contracts,
Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC has sole voting and investment discretion
over these securities. The number of shares of common stock shown in the
table includes shares issuable upon the exercise of 560,242 Series A
warrants and 1,400,603 Series B warrants. Michael J. Embler is a Vice
President of Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC and disclaims beneficial
ownership of shares held by Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC. In an
underwritten offering completed on November 14, 2001, Franklin Mutual
Advisors, LLC and its affiliates sold 400,000 shares. The address of
Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC is 51 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills,
New Jersey 07078.

(7) Based on a Schedule 13G jointly filed by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and The
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. on May 10, 2001 with the SEC and a Form 3 jointly
filed with the SEC by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and The Goldman Sachs Group,
Inc. According to the Schedule 13G, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and The Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. share voting and dispositive power with respect to these
securities. The number of shares of common stock shown in the table
includes shares issuable upon the exercise of 170,594 Series A warrants and
426,484 Series B warrants. In an underwritten offering completed on
November 14, 2001, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
sold 250,000 shares. The address of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and The Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. is 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004.

(8) Based on information provided to us by Van Kampen Prime Rate Income Trust.
The address of Van Kampen Prime Rate Income Trust is 1 Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.

(9) Based on a Schedule 13G jointly filed by Ventas, Inc. and Ventas Realty,
Limited Partnership on October 10, 2001 with the SEC. According to the
Schedule 13G, each of Ventas, Inc. and Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership
has shared ownership and voting dispositive power with respect to these
securities. Ventas, Inc. is the sole general partner of Ventas Realty,
Limited Partnership, and Ventas LP Realty, LLC is the sole limited partner
of Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership. In an underwritten offering
completed on November 14, 2001, Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership sold
83,300 shares. The address of each of Ventas, Inc. and Ventas Realty,
Limited Partnership is 4360 Brownsboro Road, Suite 115, Louisville,
Kentucky 40207-1642.

(10) Certain of the holders identified in this table offered some of their
shares of our common stock in the underwritten offering completed on
November 14, 2001. Accordingly, the number of shares and warrants owned
have decreased. In addition, we issued 1,750,000 shares and may issue
487,035 additional shares of our common stock pursuant to the underwritten
offering, thus the percentages shown in this table have decreased and may
decrease further.

Because the selling security holders may, pursuant to this prospectus,
offer all or some portion of the common stock or warrants they presently hold,
no estimate can be given as to the amount of the shares of common stock or
warrants that will be held by the selling security holders upon termination of
any such sales. In addition, since the date on which they provided the
information regarding their common stock or warrants, some or all of the selling
security holders identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise
disposed of all or a portion of their common stock or warrants in transactions
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Only selling security holders identified below who beneficially own the
common stock or warrants set forth opposite each such selling security holder's
name in the following table on the date of this prospectus, which gives effect
to the underwritten offering that was completed on November 14, 2001, may sell
such common stock or warrants pursuant to this prospectus. We may from time to
time include additional selling security holders in supplements to this
prospectus.

Name of Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Owner Securities Offered Percent of Class Offered (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Series A Series B Common Series A Series B
Stock(1) Warrants Warrants Stock(2) Warrants Warrants
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Appaloosa Management L.P.,
Appaloosa Partners,
Inc. and David A. Tepper (4) ....... 2,475,428 720,398 1,800,996 25.1 36.0 36.0

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (5) .. 3,062,336 560,242 1,400,603 26.0 28.0 28.0

Goldman, Sachs & Co. and
The Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc. (6) .................... 1,166,412 170,594 426,484 9.8 8.5 8.5

Ventas, Inc. and Ventas Realty,
Limited Partnership (7) ............ 1,415,200 - - 8.2 - -

__________________

(1) Not including the common stock underlying any warrants offered.
(2) Includes the number of shares of common stock offered by this prospectus
that, on the date of this prospectus, are issuable upon exercise of the
warrants held by such selling security holder. The number of shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise, and the exercise price, of the Series A
and Series B warrants are subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.
Accordingly, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
the Series A and Series B warrants may increase or decrease from time to
time.

(3) We may issue up to 487,035 additional shares of our common stock, to cover
overallotments for the underwritten offering, in which case the percentages
shown in this table would decrease.

(4) See footnote (3) to the table on page 46 of this prospectus.

(5) See footnote (6) to the table on page 46 of this prospectus.

(6) See footnote (7) to the table on page 46 of this prospectus.

(7) See footnote (9) to the table on page 46 of this prospectus.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary description of our capital stock is qualified in its
entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and our Amended and Restated By-laws.

General

Authorized, Issued and Outstanding Capital Stock

We are authorized to issue a total of 40,000,000 shares of capital stock,
consisting of 39,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock. As of September 30, 2001, there were 15,605,882 shares of
common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Fully Paid

The issued and outstanding shares of common stock, and any shares of common
stock issuable under the stock option plans or upon the exercise of warrants for
common stock, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable.

Common Stock

Listing

Our common stock is quoted on the The Nasdaq National Market under the
trading symbol "KIND."

Dividends

Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as
may be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available
therefor. We are subject to certain limitations on the declaration and payment
of dividends, other than stock dividends, pursuant to the terms of our new
senior secured notes and the terms of our revolving credit facility. We do not
expect to pay cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future.

Rights Upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company,
holders of common stock would have the right to a ratable portion of assets
remaining after payment of liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any
holders of preferred stock then outstanding. Holders of common stock will have
no preemptive rights.

Voting

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share for each share
held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

The registrar and transfer agent for the common stock is National City
Bank, 629 Euclid Avenue, Room 635, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, (800) 622-8100.

Preferred Stock

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the board
of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to establish the
designations, powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications, limitations
and restrictions of any series with respect to the number of shares included in
such series, the rate and nature of dividends, the price and terms and
conditions on which shares may be redeemed, the terms and conditions

for conversion or exchange into any other class or series of stock, voting
rights and other terms. We may issue, without the approval of the holders of the
common stock, preferred stock which has voting, dividend or liquidation rights
superior to the common stock and which may adversely affect the rights of
holders of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could, among other
things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and
could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of the company.

Certain Restrictions

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation states that we may
not issue nonvoting equity securities to the extent prohibited by Section
1123(6)(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, in order to help ensure that
Ventas continues to meet the requirements for treatment as a real estate
investment trust, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
prohibits a particular shareholder, Tenet Healthcare Corporation and its
successors, from beneficially owning, directly or indirectly (including by
application of certain attribution rules under the Internal Revenue Code),
shares of our common stock in excess of the existing holder limit set forth in
the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation for so long as Tenet
Healthcare Corporation and its successors remain a significant shareholder in
Ventas. Any shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Tenet Healthcare
Corporation and its successors in excess of such existing holder limit,
including shares beneficially owned by persons that are or become related to
Tenet Healthcare Corporation and its successors under the attribution rules,
will be designated as "excess stock" and treated as described in the Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The certificates evidencing our common
stock contain a legend referencing the above restriction. In addition, if we
engage in an "Accretive Transaction" (as defined in the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation), we will purchase from Ventas such number of
shares as are necessary to prevent Ventas from beneficially owning in excess of
9.9% of our company after giving effect to such Accretive Transaction.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a Delaware
corporation to indemnify any person who is or was a party to any actual or
threatened legal action, whether criminal, civil, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was an officer,
director or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer or agent of another corporation, partnership
or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments,
fines and settlement payments reasonably and actually incurred by him or her in
connection with such proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe was unlawful, except that, with
respect to any legal action by or in the right of the corporation itself, an
officer, director or agent of the corporation is entitled to indemnification
only for expenses (including attorney's fees) reasonably and actually incurred,
and is not entitled to indemnification in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which he or she is found liable to the corporation, unless the court
determines otherwise.

Section 6.4 of our Amended and Restated By-laws requires us to indemnify,
to the full extent permitted from time to time under the Delaware General
Corporation Law, each person who is made or threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of our company.

However, the indemnification provisions of Section 6.4 are limited to:

. officers, directors, agents and employees who as of or after September
13, 1999, were or are employed by, or serving as directors of, our company,
and

. agents and employees who were no longer employed by us as of September 13,
1999, other than such agents and employees who were our officers and
directors prior to September 13, 1999.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

In our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, we have elected
not to be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a
"business combination" with an "interested stockholder" (as such terms are used
in Section 203) for a period of three years after the time of the transaction in
which the person became an interested stockholder, unless (1) prior to such time
of the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder
becoming an interested stockholder, the transaction is approved by the board of
directors of the corporation, (2) upon consummation of the transaction which
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owns at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock, or (3) at or
subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of
directors and by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding
voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. For purposes of
Section 203, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset sale or other
transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and
an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and
associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or more of the
corporation's voting stock.

SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

An aggregate of 15,000,000 shares of common stock, 2,000,000 Series A
warrants and 5,000,000 Series B warrants were issued on April 20, 2001 under our
Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization. All these warrants, which are
currently exercisable, and shares of common stock and the shares of common stock
issued in the offering are freely tradeable without registration under the
Securities Act, except for shares that are issued to an "underwriter" (as
defined in Section 1145(b) of the Bankruptcy Code) or that are acquired by an
"affiliate" of ours.

We have entered into a registration rights agreement with Appaloosa
Management L.P., Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Ventas
Realty, Limited Partnership, which collectively hold 8,119,376 shares of our
common stock and warrants to purchase 5,079,317 shares of common stock. The
registration rights agreement requires us to use our reasonable best efforts to
file, cause to be declared effective and keep effective for at least two years
or until all their shares of common stock or warrants are sold, a "shelf"
registration statement covering sales of their shares of common stock and
warrants or, in the case of Ventas, the distribution of some or all of the
shares of our common stock that it owns to the Ventas stockholders. This
prospectus is part of the registration statement that is the shelf registration
statement.

However, under the terms of the registration rights agreement, these
security holders may not sell common stock or warrants pursuant to the shelf
registration statement, and we are not obligated to register any shares or
warrants held by these security holders upon their request, in each case for the
period from seven days prior to, through and including the 90th day after the
effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such
offering in which such security holders were permitted to participate. We
completed such an offering on November 14, 2001, and the date of the prospectus
for that offering was November 7, 2001. After the expiration of this period,
these security holders may sell their shares or warrants pursuant to this shelf
registration statement or may demand that we register all or any portion of
their shares or warrants at any time. As an exception to this restriction on
sales for purposes of the underwritten offering, Ventas may (but is not
obligated to) distribute up to 350,000 shares of our common stock to Ventas
stockholders on or after December 24, 2001, and such stockholders may resell
such shares.

The registration rights agreement provides that, subject to certain
limitations, each security holder party thereto has the right to demand that we
register all or a part of the common stock and warrants acquired by that
security holder pursuant to the Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization,
provided that the estimated market value of the common stock and warrants to be
registered is at least $10 million in the aggregate or not less than 5% of the
common stock and warrants. We are required to use our reasonable best efforts
to effect any such registration. Such registrations will be at our expense,
subject to certain exceptions.

In addition, under the registration rights agreement, the security holders
party thereto have certain rights to require us to include in any registration
statement we file with respect to any offering of equity securities (whether for
our own account or for the account of any holders of our securities) such amount
of common stock and warrants as are requested by the security holder to be
included in the registration statement, subject to certain exceptions. Such
registrations will be at our expense, subject to certain exceptions.

Furthermore, since April 20, 2001, 600,000 shares were issued under our
restricted share plan and an additional 1,600,000 shares may be issued in the
future upon exercise of options granted and to be granted under our stock option
plans. We issued 1,750,000 shares and may issue up to 487,035 additional shares
in the underwritten offering to cover overallotments. These shares have been
registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will be freely

tradeable when issued (subject to the volume limitations and other conditions of
Rule 144, in the case of shares to be sold by our affiliates).

Future sales of common stock, including common stock underlying the Series
A and Series B warrants, by our stockholders could adversely affect the market
price of the common stock, and future sales of Series A and Series B warrants by
the warrant holders could adversely affect the market price of the Series A or
Series B warrants, as the case may be. These sales also might make it more
difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and a price
that we deem appropriate.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are registering the common stock and the Series A and Series B warrants
on behalf of the selling security holders. The common stock and warrants may be
sold from time to time to purchasers directly by any of the selling security
holders, in one or more transactions at a fixed offering price, which may be
changed, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated
prices. Such prices will be determined by the selling security holders or by
agreement between the selling security holders and underwriters or dealers.
Alternatively, any of the selling security holders may from time to time offer
the common stock and/or warrants through underwriters, dealers or agents, who
may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or
commissions from the selling security holders and/or the purchasers of common
stock and/or warrants for whom they may act as agent. The selling security
holders and any underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the
distribution of common stock and/or warrants may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on the sale of common
stock and/or warrants by them and any discounts, commissions or concessions
received by any such underwriters, dealers or agents might be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. In addition,
shares held by Ventas may be distributed to the Ventas stockholders as a stock
dividend or other distribution of assets.

The sale of common stock and/or warrants may be effected in transactions
(which may involve block transactions) (1) on any national securities exchange
or quotation service on which the offered securities may be listed or quoted at
the time of sale, (2) in the over-the-counter market, (3) otherwise than on such
exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, (4) in privately negotiated
transactions, (5) through the writing of options or other derivative contracts,
(6) by a distribution by a selling security holder to its or its affiliates'
beneficial owners or (7) through pledge, mortgage or hypothecation. At the time
a particular offering of the common stock and/or warrants is made, if required,
a prospectus supplement will be distributed which will set forth the names of
the selling security holders, the aggregate amount and type of securities being
offered, and, to the extent required, the terms of the offering, including the
name or names of any underwriters, broker/dealers or agents, any discounts,
commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling security
holders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or
paid to broker/dealers.

To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable,
the offered securities will be offered or sold in such jurisdictions only
through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain
jurisdictions the offered securities may not be offered or sold unless they have
been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or any exemption
from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in a distribution of common stock and/or warrants may not simultaneously
engage in market-making activities with respect to such common stock and/or
warrants for a period of five business days prior to the commencement of such
distribution and ending upon the completion of such distribution. In addition
to and without limiting the foregoing, each selling security holder will be
subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, including without limitation Regulation M, which
provisions may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the common
stock and/or warrants by the selling security holders. All of the foregoing may
affect the marketability of the common stock and/or warrants and the ability of
any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the
common stock and/or warrants.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreement described above, we will pay
substantially all of the expenses incident to the registration, offering and
sale of the common stock and warrants of the selling security holders to the

public other than commissions and discounts of underwriters, dealers or agents,
including, without limitation, SEC filing fees and expenses of compliance with
state securities or "blue sky" laws. The selling security holders, and any
underwriter they may utilize, and their respective controlling persons are
entitled to be indemnified by us against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, or will be entitled to contribution in
connection therewith. We will be indemnified by the selling security holders
severally against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under
the Securities Act, or will be entitled to contribution in connection therewith.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we are required to use our
best efforts to keep the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a
part, continuously effective for a period of two years from its effective date
or such shorter period that will terminate upon the earlier of the date on which
the common stock and warrants shall have been sold pursuant to the registration
statement or the date on which the common stock and warrants are permitted to be
freely sold or distributed to the public pursuant to any exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act (including in reliance on Rule
144(k) but excluding in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act).
Notwithstanding these obligations, we may, under certain circumstances, postpone
or suspend the filing or the effectiveness of the registration statement (or any
amendments or supplements thereto) or the sale of common stock and warrants
under the registration statement.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock and the Series A and Series B
warrants offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Cleary,
Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of
the company as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 and for the years then ended
incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report (which includes an explanatory paragraph regarding
circumstances alleviating substantial doubt about the company's ability to
continue as a going concern) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting. The consolidated balance sheet of the company as of April 1, 2001
incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on August 21, 2001 has also been so incorporated in reliance on the report
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

The consolidated financial statements of Kindred Healthcare, Inc., formerly
Vencor, Inc., for the year ended December 31, 1998 incorporated by reference in
this prospectus have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as
set forth in their report thereon (which contain an explanatory paragraph
describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the company's ability
to continue as a going concern as described in Note 3 to the consolidated
financial statements), and are included in reliance upon such report given on
the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act.

You may also obtain copies of this information in person or by mail from
the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. Please call the SEC
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our
filings with the SEC are also available to the public on the SEC's Internet web
site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect reports, proxy statements and
------------------
other information about us at the office of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to
the shares of common stock and the warrants covered by this prospectus. This
prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of
the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in
this prospectus to a contract or other document of ours, please be aware that
the reference is only a summary and that you should refer to the exhibits that
are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other
document. You may review a copy of the registration statement at the SEC's
public reference room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the SEC's Internet
site.

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file with the
SEC later will automatically update and supersede this information. The
following documents filed by us and any future filings made by us with the SEC
under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the
termination of the offering are incorporated by reference in this prospectus:

. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000,

. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2000,

. Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31,
2001, June 30, 2001 and September 30, 2001,

. Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A for the fiscal quarters ended March
31, 2001 and June 30, 2001,

. Our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April 20, 2001, and

. Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2001, March 19, 2001,
May 2, 2001 and August 21, 2001.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning
us at:

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
680 South Fourth Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2412
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (502) 596-7300

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