Action Center
There is a Better Way, Stop the Waste, Stop the Closure of Manhattan Addiction Treatment Center

The Governor has proposed closing the Manhattan Addiction Treatment Center (ATC) a 52 bed inpatient rehabilitation facility operated by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and certified by OASAS and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: There's a Better Way, Stop the Waste, Stop the Closure of Manhattan Addiction Treatment Center

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

The Governor has proposed closing the Manhattan Addiction Treatment Center (ATC) a 52 bed inpatient rehabilitation facility operated by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

The Manhattan ATC provides 24/7 inpatient rehabilitation for alcohol and substance abusers, providing both Individual, Group, and Family Therapy treatment, as well as a full range of services as part of the recovery.

Manhattan ATC has been recognized for their programs that cater to monolingual Hispanic individuals, women, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities; and for providing a safe and secure atmosphere for patients to address their needs.

Manhattan ATC accepts all patients regardless of income or insurance status and is often the provider of last resort. It even helps clients obtain Medicaid and other services they are entitled to.

The Governor's proposal promises to try to redistribute the roughly 800 clients served annually by Manhattan ATC to the four other ATCs in New York City or not-for-profit provider programs. However, seven New York hospitals, three in New York City, were recently accused of stealing more than $50 million in Medicaid payments for detox services that were never provided. Now is not the time to be pushing these services toward providers that have their bottom line in mind more than what is best for the State or for the patients they serve.

Maintaining these services as public services is not only good for the patients, but a long-term cost-effective decision for the State.

I urge you to restore funding for the Manhattan Addiction Treatment Center and to stop the governor from closing the facility.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 07, 2009


Background Information

Hundreds of patients fighting addiction, workers, their families, and the communities in which they live and work will be negatively impacted by the governor's proposal.  The closure of Manhattan Addiction Treatment Center will force hundreds of patients to try and seek treatment out of their communities, making it less likely that they will receive treatment.