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.