A nonprofit hospital in Vermont says it is adding 16 inpatient psychiatric beds over the next year.
The Brattleboro Retreat says it has received $5.5 million from the state for the expansion project.
WCAX-TV reports the state Agency of Human Services has contracted for 12 of the "level one" beds, meaning the Retreat will accept patients that have high clinical needs.
Brattleboro Retreat CEO Louis Josephson says the goal is to help move people out of the emergency room, which drives up health care costs.
He says they will not have to reduce bed capacity in the process.
Josephson estimates the new beds will be ready by next February or March.
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