Alameda May Reject All Bids For Contested Contract For Inmates’ Health Services
The county's auditor has recommended the panel choosing the company start over again, saying his office's investigation found flaws in cost proposals and the omission of a preference for hiring local companies.
Oakland Tribune:
Alameda County: Auditor Recommends Restarting Bid For Jail Health Care Contract
Alameda County is poised to restart the process of selecting a company to provide health care services for its inmates. ... Currently, Corizon provides health care for approximately 2,800 prisoners at the Dublin jail, but in recent years the company has come under scrutiny for inmate deaths and poor mental health treatment. The company, along with the county, settled a landmark lawsuit last year over an in-custody death, agreeing to pay $8.3 million and have only registered nurses -- not licensed vocational nurses -- conduct assessment screenings. Corizon also was sharply criticized by nurses working at the jail after it fired 49 licensed vocational nurses in January and 16 more in February. (DeBolt, 7/27)
In other news from across the state —
Orange County Register:
Terminally Ill Child, 8, At CHOC To Be Named Honorary Marine At Camp Pendleton
A terminally ill 8-year-old’s fighting spirit earned him an honorary place in the United States Marine Corp along with his father. Wyatt Gillette was leaving Children’s Hospital of Orange County today to go home with his parents to Camp Pendleton. He’ll be under hospice care, spending what are expected to be his last days with family. (Winslow, 7/27)