Pima County Eyeing $2M Boost for Jail Health Contract Amid Legal Turmoil and Penalties

The Pima County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a proposal to allocate an additional $2 million to NaphCare, Inc., the healthcare provider for the Pima County Jail, amidst ongoing concerns regarding its performance. This decision follows a troubling track record, including over a dozen lawsuits filed against NaphCare in the past two years.

If the funds are approved, they will augment NaphCare’s existing $62.8 million contract, aimed at bolstering staffing levels with more registered nurses, mental health professionals, and support staff for opioid treatment programs, according to reports. Linda Everett, the Pima County Correctional Health Manager, emphasized the importance of extending the contract, stating that it reflects significant progress in mental health, addiction treatment, and overall healthcare services.

Pima County first contracted NaphCare in 2021 after the abrupt withdrawal of the previous provider, Centurion. This transition occurred under challenging circumstances, as noted by County Administrator Jan Lesher in a memo from November 2021. Subsequently, NaphCare faced legal and financial repercussions, including a $700,000 settlement for alleged overcharges to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Recent reports reveal ongoing issues, with the Arizona Department of Corrections finding serious deficiencies in NaphCare’s delivery of medical care, which contributed to preventable deaths among inmates. The contractor has accrued approximately $3.1 million in penalties for failing to meet its obligations. Currently, NaphCare is embroiled in 13 lawsuits in Pima County, many initiated by families of inmates who died in custody.

Among those affected, Frances Ochoa is pursuing legal action against NaphCare and Sheriff Chris Nanos following the death of her son, Cruz Patiño, Jr. Ochoa’s poignant statement underscores her devastation: “I want my son. And they can’t give that.”

The jail’s per-capita death rate soared to four times the national average in 2022. However, a shift has been noted, with only one death reported since September 2023, attributed to the efforts of county officials and improved healthcare services. The recent interventions, including medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, have been key in this decline.

Moreover, suicide rates within the jail have seen a significant reduction this year, attributed to enhanced monitoring and intervention protocols, with no reported in-custody suicides so far. Overdoses, which previously accounted for a significant portion of jail fatalities, have also decreased, thanks to the implementation of the new medically-assisted treatment program that engages a substantial percentage of the inmate population.

If approved, the new contract with NaphCare will extend through September 30, 2025, marking a decisive moment for healthcare services within the Pima County Jail.