Negotiations continue for new medical contract at Westmoreland jail

Westmoreland County commissioners this week approved a $238,700 extension of a multimillion-dollar contract with a private medical provider to continue work at the county jail while officials negotiate a new long-term deal.

Commissioners said they expect to have a new deal in place before the end of next month.

“We’re narrowing it down,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said.

The county’s previous five-year, $10.5 million deal with Wexford Health Care Services expired at the end of April. Two monthly extensions were authorized to ensure health care continued for jail inmates in May and June. The extension will cover July and August, if needed, commissioners said.

County officials are negotiating with three private companies, including Wexford, to provide medical care at the jail.

“We’re still looking at the health services and data. We know the rates are going to be substantially more expensive because of the rise of health care,” Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher said.

Commissioners also are exploring adding a program that will allow inmates who enter the jail with prescriptions for suboxone and methadone — drugs that assist heroin addicts to suppress or eliminate withdrawal symptoms — to continue receiving that medication.

Warden Bryan Kline said 108 inmates who entered the jail in May underwent detox for drugs and alcohol, including 87 who were addicted to opiates such as heroin. The detox process requires inmates to be monitored as they go through withdrawal.

Nine new incarcerated inmates last month had prescriptions for suboxone and methadone, but, under existing policy, they were not eligible to receive that medication in the jail.

“This is something that is needed, and it’s been one of my priorities,” Kline said. “There’s a continuity of care that needs to exist. I’m of an opinion they need to continue these medications in jail.”

The county will pay for the medical assistance program through a $350,000 grant received this year.

Solicitor Melissa Guiddy said commissioners are exploring options, including hiring two firms. One would run the jail’s infirmary and provide most medical services to inmates, and a separate company would administer the medical assistance service for addicted inmates.