Dauphin County Avoids Jail Medical Services Crisis
Dauphin County officials secured a last-minute agreement this month to avoid a healthcare crisis within the county’s prison system. the deal, reached just before the existing medical provider, PrimeCare, was set to end its contract, ensures continued medical services for the approximately 800 inmates. With this agreement,the county averted a potential disastrous scenario that could have had serious implications.
HARRISBURG – May 16, 2024 –
The agreement addresses the 5 W’s: *Who* – Dauphin County, *What* – averted a medical services crisis, *Were* – Dauphin County Prison, *When* – May 2024, and *Why* – due to PrimeCare’s contract termination. This advancement underscores the county’s commitment to the health and well-being of those incarcerated; the county had to ensure access to care. Officials, relying on credible details, will now consider the healthcare provider for the jail’s next healthcare contract.
Dauphin County Averts Jail Medical Services Crisis with Last-Minute Agreement
dauphin County officials narrowly avoided a potential healthcare catastrophe at the Dauphin county Prison this month. A looming gap in medical services for the approximately 800 inmates was averted just days before the existing provider, PrimeCare, was set to terminate its contract.
The Impending “Medical Cliff”
PrimeCare, which has provided medical services at the prison since 1988, initially planned to end its contract on May 31, invoking an early-termination clause. This left the county scrambling to secure continued medical care, including daily medication and emergency services, while in the process of selecting a new provider slated to take over this summer.
Did You Know?
Incarcerated individuals have a constitutional right to adequate medical care. Failure to provide this can lead to legal challenges and meaningful financial liabilities for the county.
The situation was described as a potential “disastrous medical cliff” had PrimeCare withdrawn its employees as scheduled.
A Tentative agreement reached
In a last-minute effort, Dauphin County officials reached a tentative agreement with PrimeCare to maintain services while the county finalizes its review of proposals for a long-term contract. However, the agreement almost didn’t materialize.
The Sticking Point: Communication and Compensation
Tom Weber, CEO of PrimeCare, expressed his frustration in a May 7 email to the county prison board, stating that not a single county official has reached out to us
to discuss extending PrimeCareS services beyond the May 31 deadline. This prompted discussions that resulted in an agreement to pay PrimeCare an additional $80,000 for June, supplementing the current monthly fee of approximately $300,000.
Background: Controversy and Scrutiny
PrimeCare’s decision to terminate its contract early followed increased scrutiny and controversy. This included the uncovering of questionable payments from PrimeCare’s founder and former owner, Carl Hoffman, to former County Commissioner Jeff Haste. Reports indicated that Haste received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Hoffman, which he allegedly used as a down payment on a house in 2017 without disclosing the payments.
Pro Tip
Transparency in government contracts is crucial. Regular audits and disclosures can definitely help prevent conflicts of interest and ensure public trust.
Additionally, the county approved an audit of PrimeCare last year, the first such audit in the nearly 40 years of their contract.
PrimeCare’s Viewpoint: Financial Losses
Mr.Weber stated that PrimeCare ended its contract early because they were losing money,
approximately $325,000 last year. He declined to clarify whether this meant PrimeCare operated at a deficit in Dauphin county or simply made less profit compared to other locations.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Jail Medical Services
Dauphin County is currently evaluating proposals from PrimeCare and five other companies to determine the provider for the jail’s next healthcare contract, set to begin in June.County commissioners are scheduled to vote on Wednesday to approve the extension with PrimeCare. If PrimeCare’s services are needed in July and August, the county will pay an additional $15,000 and $30,000, respectively.
Weber’s Concerns: Employee Retention and Public Scrutiny
Mr. Weber’s May 7 email also addressed potential upcharges,citing the need to pay bonuses to PrimeCare employees to incentivize them to remain if the company does not secure the new contract.
It is somewhat unbelievable to assume we would just gratuitously continue to loose money, face ridicule and risk without even an ask,
Tom Weber, CEO of PrimeCare
In the same email, Mr. Weber characterized the increased public scrutiny of Dauphin County Prison, following the deaths of nine people as 2019, as hysteria
that was premised on, and fueled by misinformation.
Winnie Okello, founder of the Harassment and Assault Reporting Platform, emphasized the need for changes at the jail during a May 6 prison town hall, citing ongoing deaths.
As the beginning of 2019, twenty-two people have died while incarcerated at Dauphin County Prison or after becoming ill inside.
Unfortunately it is true people die everywhere. Only when it happens in jail must it be someone else’s fault,
Tom Weber, CEO of PrimeCare
Weber’s Response to Media Inquiries
When asked about his emailed statements regarding hysteria
and misinformation,
Mr. Weber shared a series of concerns based on inaccurate information.
- Mr. Weber incorrectly believed that the media was including deaths at state prisons or on county work release in the total of 22 deaths.
- Mr. Weber also claimed that the media implicated PrimeCare in the death of 21-year-old Ty’Rique Riley in 2019 but failed to report when PrimeCare was dismissed from the civil lawsuit.
Mr. Weber also questioned the use of the word self-reliant
to describe the pathologist hired by Riley’s family, suggesting bias against PrimeCare.
We have had other individuals die of natural causes without prior complaints. We have had individuals overdose, and we have had suicides without any warning signs. Although we are blamed in the media for these deaths, we were not responsible,
Tom Weber, CEO of PrimeCare
Mr.Weber acknowledged that PrimeCare took responsibility for the death of Jimmy king, who died in 2020 from an untreated brain bleed after complaining of severe headaches following a fight with his cellmate.
However, his understanding of the case contained several inaccuracies.
Initially, Mr. Weber stated that PrimeCare staff were unaware that King had been struck in the head. Though, records from PrimeCare indicated that king was seen by providers after the fight, and notations were made that he had been hit in the head.
Mr.Weber then clarified that he misspoke
and that PrimeCare staff knew King had been in a fight and struck in the head but were unaware that he was struck in the head with a tablet a few days later.
medical records revealed that a PrimeCare staffer had documented that King was experiencing headaches after being struck in the head with a tablet.
Mr. Weber later acknowledged that his original statements were incorrect.
It must be noted the individual was seen and the incident occurred at a time where numerous incarcerated individuals and staff were complaining of headaches because certain incarcerated individuals were smoking paper soaked in insecticide,
Tom Weber, CEO of PrimeCare
PrimeCare settled a federal lawsuit with King’s family in 2024 for an undisclosed amount.
