ALCOHOL, DRUG PROGRAMS MAY END Meriter Cites Lack Of Fiscal Viability Meriter Hospital management has recommended closing all of its NewStart alcohol- and drug-abuse treatment programs, except detoxification services, next year. The proposal would close the adult and adolescent NewStart programs at 309 W. Washington Ave., as well as outpatient counseling at offices on Gammon Lane and in Mount Horeb, a hospital spokeswoman confirmed Thursday. The inpatient program is the only one of its kind in Dane County. "Implementing this recommendation would end a 30-year history of commitment to AODA (alcohol and other drug abuse) patients," said the Sept. 27 letter, signed by Meriter Vice President Tim Sio and NewStart Medical Director Michael Miller. "For a variety of reasons," they wrote, "we face a situation in which the NewStart Program is not financially viable." The disclosure comes days after Chief Executive Officer Terri Potter confirmed he has decided not to renew the lease of the Madison Abortion Clinic, also housed at 309 W. Washington Ave., when it runs out in 2003. It also follows a July decision by St. Clare Hospital and Health Services in Baraboo to close its inpatient 24-hour alcohol and drug abuse program, the only other hospital-based inpatient treatment center in the area. While spokeswoman Mae Knowles said the NewStart plan might not be final, the recommendation was disclosed to about 200 physicians in a letter Sept. 27. The letter invited the doctors to a dinner meeting to discuss how the proposal would affect their practices. The recommendation, which will be presented to the Meriter Hospital board in December, needs board approval, Potter said Wednesday. The letter said the number of patients in some of the NewStart programs has dropped significantly over the last two years. "The financial pressures on community hospitals like Meriter continue to force management to make difficult decisions about its service portfolio." The letter said the "senior cabinet concluded and recommended that Meriter exit the NewStart service line in 2001 except for detoxification services." Knowles said the 20 employees who would be affected by the proposed NewStart changes have been told they would be eligible for other jobs at Meriter.
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