Judge Turns Downs Challenge To Prison Health Contract

April 13, 2016

An administrative law judge has rejected a challenge to a Florida Department of Corrections decision to award a $268 million contract for health services at the majority of the state’s prisons.

The department in January awarded the contract to Centurion of Florida LLC after another firm, Corizon Health, decided to end its contract to provide services to about three-fourths of the state’s inmates.

The award of the contract drew a challenge from Wexford Health Sources, Inc., which provides services to inmates in the rest of the state. Wexford questioned, at least in part, whether the department acted properly in awarding a no-bid contract to Centurion. The department, however, argued that state law allowed it to award such a contract and that Administrative Law Judge R. Bruce McKibben should “relinquish jurisdiction” of the dispute.

McKibben issued an order last week siding with the department and closing the case at the Division of Administrative Hearings.

“Wexford’s argument, though not without merit, is a matter for resolution by the Legislature,” McKibben wrote.

by The News Service of Florida

Pictured: The medical unit inside Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

2 Responses to “Judge Turns Downs Challenge To Prison Health Contract”

  1. Dennis HE Wiggins on April 13th, 2016 3:10 pm

    This is the cowards’ way out. I read a similar opinion some years ago by the Supreme Court of the United States. It said that “federally recognized tribes” were actually violating the US Constitution by openly discriminating by given preference to Tribal members for jobs, BUT that it was an issue that should be addressed by the Legislature, not the Courts. They are ALL cowards . . . and once appointed, there is little we can do about it. At least on the State level we have a little say every four years.

  2. chillywilly on April 13th, 2016 8:18 am

    Once again Rick Scott and his minions in the legislature win. The people of Florida lose. No Bid Contracts . Rick just keeps funneling tax payer dollars to his corporate buddies. Rick Scott spends 2 million tax payer dollars for a sea wall around a golf course in south Florida. Spends 1.3 million tax payer dollars to settle law suits against him for violating Florida Sunshine Laws for open government. Such a disgrace, incompetent politician.

    Wexford’s argument, though not without merit, is a matter for resolution by the Legislature,” McKibben wrote.

  NEfb