The main contractor responsible for providing Health care services in San Diego County jails has failed to pay outside hospitals and specialty providers, resulting in a lack of medical treatment options for sick and needy individuals in custody, according to newly revealed records. NaphCare, the large correctional medical company brought in to manage care within the county jail system, has been found to utilize unlicensed staff, neglect requests for equipment repairs, and leave hundreds of shifts unfilled, as detailed in documents.
A confidential corrective action notice from the Sheriff’s Department to NaphCare highlights that as of April 17, 2023, there are $9.3 million in unpaid bills owed to hospitals, with $4.6 million overdue past the 30-day threshold. This failure to pay has caused some community providers to refuse to see or treat patients from the jails.
The 23-page report, produced as part of a lawsuit filed by civil rights lawyers against San Diego County, exposes numerous deficiencies in NaphCare’s performance since being awarded the primary contract for health services in the jails two years ago. Despite a previous notice of deficiencies in April 2023, the corrective action notice from December 2023 reveals that many issues persisted and were not fully addressed by NaphCare.
The lawsuit has expanded into a class-action suit affecting all individuals in San Diego County jails, a system with one of the highest mortality rates in California. The Sheriff’s Department has made efforts to improve conditions in the jails, including increasing staff and budgets for healthcare providers, upgrading facilities, and investing in new equipment.
NaphCare released a statement expressing confidence in the direction they are moving in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Department to ensure that every patient in the San Diego County jails receives the standard of care needed for a healthy return to the community. However, the company has faced legal challenges in other states for inadequate care provided in prison systems.
The lawsuit against San Diego County, known as Dunsmore v. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, highlights instances of neglect and mistreatment towards incarcerated individuals, particularly those with disabilities. The lead plaintiff in the case, Darryl Dunsmore, suffered from a debilitating condition and was subjected to inhumane conditions during his incarceration.
Efforts to improve conditions for disabled individuals in custody have been made, but the lawsuit remains active and scheduled for trial next year. The ongoing legal battles and deficiencies in care provided by NaphCare underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the health services delivery within the county jails.
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