By Erin Tiesman, Muscatine Journal
MUSCATINE, Iowa – In a recession, medical costs can hurt just as bad as anything else. The Muscatine County Jail knows it firsthand.
In an effort to curb medical costs for inmates, the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a contract Monday with Advanced Correctional Healthcare. The contract will begin Jan. 1, 2010.
Advanced Correctional Healthcare, based in Peoria, Ill., delivers health care and pharmaceutical needs to detention centers. It was founded in 2002 by Dr. Norman R. Johnson, CEO of the company.
Muscatine County Sheriff Dave White said an estimated $151,000 is budgeted for jail medical costs every year. The Advanced Correctional Healthcare contract is estimated at $131,700.
"I spoke to different sheriffs and I couldn't find anyone to speak in favor of any company other than Advanced [Correctional Healthcare]," White said, referring to a recent trip to Des Moines for a sheriff and deputy conference.
"Advanced will offer services we've never had before."
White said Jefferson, Dubuque, Cedar and Louisa counties in Iowa have also used the company.
Jim Wiser, a company representative, said $50,000 is put aside for pharmaceuticals. Also included in the contract cost is a licensed clinical social worker for 10 hours per week and the county nurse, who will be provided 24-hour on-call assistance with a licensed physician.
The $40,000 allotted for medicines in the current budget has already been used by inmates, White said, partially because of expensive medications. One such medication, Seroquel, a drug used to treat bipolar disorder, is used by three inmates, costing an estimated $3,000 a month. The drug, also known as "baby heroin" has been outlawed in 10 states and Advanced Correctional Healthcare does not provide Seroquel, White said.
Wiser said it is "unlikely" the county will use the allotted $50,000 in a year due to the ability to return unused medications and remove "comfort meds," like sleeping pills, from the budget.
Wiser said lawsuit and civil rights protection is also included. Of the 17,000 inmates served by Advanced Correctional Healthcare, the average rate for lawsuits is 0.25 percent for every 1,000 inmates, or 2.5 suits per 1,000 inmates. Wiser said none of the suits have been successful.
Supervisor Esther Dean, who was absent from a meeting two weeks ago when Wiser and White first introduced the contract possibilities, asked questions and requested clarification for work-release inmates.
Wiser said work-release inmates would be covered for medical care when in custody of the jail, but not if they are injured out of custody.
Supervisor Dave Watkins advised White and Wiser to contact Dr. Calvin Atwell of Muscatine, who has been serving as the primary physician for the jail, of the switch to Advanced Correctional Healthcare. Director of administrative services Eric Furnas said he could not find any official written contract with Atwell.
"We should let him know out of common courtesy," Watkins said.
Watkins also suggested opening bids to local pharmacies before agreeing to use Advanced Correctional Healthcare's pharmaceutical company, Diamond Pharmaceuticals.
"I want to operate within the county. Give them the opportunity [and the chance to bid,]" Watkins said.
Wiser said that option is available and his company often works with county businesses.
The contract will initially be for six months, followed by a 12-month contract if the county is pleased with service. Wiser said the contract can be severed with a 30-day notice at no cost to the county.
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