VT Hospital Closes Rehab Unit to Save Money

Officials at the Rutland Regional Medical Center have narrowly voted to close the hospital's inpatient rehabilitation unit, one of only three in Vermont.  WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports…

Hospital President Tom Huebner said the vote was 8-to-7 on Wednesday. The board had to choose between closing the hospital's unit or finding another way to cut $3.5 million out of next year's budget.

Vermont Public Radio reports the rehab unit is expected to shut down by October 1. Huebner said the 40 full- and part-time employees on staff will be given first choice of any hospital openings they are qualified for.

Rutland's 12-patient inpatient rehab unit helps patients recover from strokes, head or spinal injuries, joint replacements and some long-term ailments.

I’m Pat Bradley, WAMC News.

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