RehabCare Group Establishes Emergency Relief Fund for Employees Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Business Wire, Sept 12, 2005

ST. LOUIS -- To aid its employees impacted by Hurricane Katrina and its devastation of the Gulf Coast region, RehabCare Group, Inc. (NYSE:RHB) has announced the establishment of the RehabCare Emergency Relief Fund. The St. Louis, MO-based company is a leading provider of physical rehabilitation management services with 10,000 employees in more than 900 programs across the country. RehabCare operates 17 programs in the Louisiana and Mississippi hurricane-damaged areas. Over 200 full and part-time employees were working within the most badly damaged areas from the storm. Three of the company's Contract Therapy programs, located in the immediate New Orleans area, have closed indefinitely.

Donations to the fund will be accepted from RehabCare employees and distributed to employees who apply for the funds in the affected areas as needed. The company will match all contributions to the fund up to $100,000.

"From the outset of this disaster, our employees have come forward with offers to assist their colleagues dealing with unfathomable loss, from money, food, clothing and temporary housing to donating their paid time off," said John Short, Ph.D., RehabCare President and CEO. "Their outpouring of concern and generosity has been overwhelming. This fund provides a means to channel these gracious offers to those in desperate need of help. It is now time for us to provide the same quality of care and support to our employees in need that they provide everyday for our patients."

"With a network of programs nationwide and the current shortage of therapy professionals in the industry, finding work assignments in other cities for employees who wish to relocate is not a problem. But we want to be sure we're doing all we can to support their efforts to rebuild their personal lives, as well." RehabCare has offered to coordinate provisional job assignments and to cover all relocation costs, including transportation and temporary housing. A complete listing of all RehabCare job openings throughout the U.S. can be found at www.rehabcare.com.

Dr. Short said impacted employees who apply for relief from the fund will receive tax-free assistance with necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses incurred as a result of Katrina, including the reparation or rebuilding of a personal residence.

To find out more about the RehabCare Emergency Relief Fund, you may call the RehabCare Human Resources Assistance Center at 866-314-3944.

RehabCare Group, Inc. provides physical therapy management services for hospital inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing units, outpatient programs and contract therapy services in conjunction with more than 900 hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.