BWC Rehab Center closes this spring

The Bureau of Workers' Compensation Rehab Center in Columbus, formerly the J. Leonard Camera Center, is scheduled to close April 28, 2001.

"It has been a difficult decision, but one which must be made," said James Conrad, BWC Administrator and CEO.

Historically, the Center treated injured workers with long-term rehabilitation cases who had no alternative for treatment in the private sector. Clients were older and had been off work much longer than the average injured worker seeking rehabilitation. Private sector rehabilitation did not meet the needs of this segment of Ohio's injured workers.

During the past five years BWC employees have worked to operate the Center more efficiently and effectively to help Ohio's injured workers' return to work. The closing of the BWC Rehab Center is not a direct failure of the employees who have worked hard servicing the tough rehab cases that, until recently, had nowhere else to turn.

"Today, statistics show the private sector is now effectively treating these injured workers and, over the coming months, we will work with our business partners to ensure the services are continued," said John Romig, BWC Rehab Center interim director.

The Center is a unique BWC entity that, by law, must operate as a fee for service organization, and does not receive General Revenue Funds. In 2000, the Center operated at a loss in excess of $33,000 per week. Debts continued to rise, and despite many marketing efforts, the number of clients serviced declined to 22 percent.

In early 2000, the Center streamlined operations and improved some operational efficiencies. However, even the most optimistic projections showed continued operational losses for the current fiscal year of more than $430,000, with a more realistic projection of losses exceeding $815,000.

When the Center was first opened, along with the W.O. Walker Center in Cleveland, the goal was to provide rehab services to injured workers not available in the private sector. Since then, the private-sector rehab business has grown significantly and as a result the Walker Center was closed in 1995. However, the Camera Center remained open in a concern for the care of an injured worker population that BWC did not see receiving effective treatment in private rehabilitation centers.

In the days leading up to April 28, BWC is focused on ensuring that injured workers currently serviced by the Center find comparable rehabilitation services in the private sector. The last day for injured workers to enter into a rehab treatment program at the center is March 2.

The Rehab Center closing was recommended to Governor Bob Taft by the Management Improvement Commission.