Maine Recovery Center to Close as Overdose Deaths Rise

Mercy Hospital is closing its substance abuse recovery center in Westbrook, as overdose deaths in Maine soar.

Hospital officials say the Mercy Recovery Center has been losing money for years and is closing in part because of low reimbursement rates for addiction services.

The closure will affect about 250 patients, most of whom are being treated for opioid addiction, and restrict treatment options for others. Some of the center's services will be moved to Mercy's State Street location in Portland.

About half of the recovery center's 90 employees will lose their jobs.

Officials say patients are steadily paying more out-of-pocket costs as reimbursement rates for health care providers decreases.

Some advocates are worried that patients will relapse.