Patients lament closing of Alle-Kiski Medical Center cardiac rehab unit (USA)

"John Framel is upset knowing that the program that he attributes to once saving his life will vanish in a few weeks. Framel, 75, of Allegheny Township, underwent a quintuple heart bypass surgery in 2000. As part of his recovery, he exercised in the cardiac rehabilitation unit at Alle-Kiski Medical Center's Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison, PA. At the end of January, that unit is closing as part of the cutbacks announced last week by the hospital's parent organization, the West Penn Allegheny Health System. "There is a national and local trend in closing cardiac rehabilitation units," said Linda Jaskolka, hospital spokeswoman. "Financially, they are unsustainable. The (insurance) reimbursements are very limited and for a short period of time." She said 46 patients are now being served by the program. The hospital did not release information on how much it costs to operate the cardiac unit and the pulmonary rehabilitation unit, which is also closing" - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review