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Your article on Oct. 23, "Rehab centers awash in fraud, abuse," was a first step, but more clear investigation is needed. This is a problem not only in Utah but nationally as well. Besides the fraudulent insurance billing, there are other ethical issues, such as treatment centers who own the drug screening companies, too.
Like any industry where there is big money at play, there are incentives for abuse and fraud. Rather than using blanket statements that lump good and bad rehab facilities together, I would ask The Salt Lake Tribune to investigate and name the treatment centers that are suspected of committing fraud.
Utah is one of many states that are having these problems with treatment centers. There is an opportunity for Utah to shine on a national level by exemplifying ethics and high quality treatment. I hope that your reporting can continue to hold this industry to a high standard.
The many good treatment programs have individualized treatment plans, use a variety of evidence-based treatments to address client's co-occurring disorders and involve the entire family system in the treatment process (where possible). When you quote what is going on at the state capitol and lump everyone together, you miss an opportunity to shine a light on the "good" rehabs" vs. the "bad" rehabs.
Jenney Wilder
Salt Lake City