Illinois Awards Controversial $4 Billion Prison Health Contract
In the latest news from the source at Reader Wall, the Illinois Department of Corrections has decided to award a prison medical care contract, estimated at over $4 billion, to a company known as Wexford Health Sources. The decision has sparked discussions given the company’s background involving multimillion-dollar legal cases and wide-spread reports about substandard care levels. Interestingly, Wexford topped the bid, outperforming another contender, VitalCore, even though their proposal was costlier by approximately $673 million.
Unsettling Past of Wexford Health Sources
Having a long-standing relationship with the state of Illinois, Wexford has been providing medical care in prisons for many years. However, accusations of inadequate or delayed healthcare have marred the company’s reputation. With a high number of vacancies for health professionals and the company’s tendency towards off-site doctors for treatment decisions, their performance has been under scrutiny. In addition, they have faced several lawsuits in the realm of millions of dollars, allegedly for providing sub-par healthcare.
Scrutiny and Concerns Surrounding the Decision
In response to the contract being awarded to Wexford, many experts and advocacy groups like the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois have expressed their criticism and concerns. The primary call has been for accountability and improvement in prison healthcare. However, despite the critiques, the state of Illinois continues to retain its association with Wexford, leading to questions about the measures taken when deciding the contract.
Performance of Wexford in Other States
Issues with Wexford’s performance are not limited to Illinois alone. The company has been offering prison medical services in several other states such as Arizona, Florida, and Mississippi. Reports handed over to the federal court have highlighted Wexford’s inability to provide sufficient healthcare and staff in these states as well. At present, a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections is ongoing, calling for a system overhaul, thereby stressing the immediate need for improvements. In spite of these criticisms, Wexford’s previous 10-year contract that ended in 2021, got extended.
Steps Taken for Improvement
In an attempt to address these lapses in the prison healthcare system, the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine initiated a pilot program in 2020. Although this program was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its continuation under an interagency agreement with the Corrections Department indicates the possibility of impending improvements.
