Vt. hospital could close rehab unit to save money

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) - Officials at the Rutland Regional Medical Center are considering a plan to close the hospital's inpatient rehabilitation unit, one of only three in Vermont.

If the Rutland hospital decides to close its unit, the remaining inpatient units would be at Mount Ascutney Hospital in Windsor or Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

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

Vermont Public Radio reports a petition drive has started in Rutland to save the unit, but hospital officials say closing it will save $3.5 million a year, helping them close a $7 million budget shortfall.

Hospital President Tom Huebner says inpatient rehabilitation is available at Rutland area nursing homes and they are more cost effective.