On December 16, Spokane County is poised to end its relationship with the controversial medical provider NaphCare, which has been under scrutiny for its handling of inmate healthcare within the Spokane County Jail for nearly a decade. The county commissioners are scheduled to vote on a proposed one-month contract extension worth $685,000 to NaphCare before transitioning to a new vendor. Ken Mohr, a project manager for Spokane County, indicated during a recent meeting that the short-term extension is necessary to finalize negotiations with the incoming medical care provider. This marks a significant shift for the county, which started outsourcing medical services in 2016 due to persistent staffing issues in its internal medical team. Initially, the county entered into a six-month, $2.6 million agreement with NaphCare amidst these ongoing challenges.
Concerns regarding NaphCare’s performance and ethical conduct have plagued the company since its inception in Spokane. In 2017, inmates began to voice their dissatisfaction, claiming that the company frequently delayed crucial medical care such as surgeries and prescription refills. NaphCare’s reputation has suffered due to numerous lawsuits filed against it across various jurisdictions. One of the most notable cases was the death of Cindy Lou Hill, who passed away due to a bacterial infection in 2018 while in custody at the Spokane County Jail. Deteriorating health following reported symptoms went untreated, culminating in a federal jury awarding $27 million in damages to Hill’s estate after establishing that her death was preventable had she received adequate medical attention.
The case of Cindy Lou Hill is one of several high-profile legal challenges faced by NaphCare, which continues to invoke skepticism regarding the company’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services in correctional facilities. The family’s attorney, Ed Budge, praised the jury’s verdict in 2022, saying it sent a strong message about the need for accountability regarding inmate welfare. Despite the substantial judgment against NaphCare, the company has sought to contest the ruling, appealing to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year. Such actions reflect NaphCare’s ongoing legal battles and the broader implications for inmate healthcare practices in jails across the country.
In addition to the Hill case, NaphCare faced another significant lawsuit related to the treatment of Jamycheal Mitchell, a 24-year-old inmate who died in 2015 while housed at a Virginia jail. This case shed light on the deficiencies in mental healthcare for inmates, as Mitchell lost a considerable amount of weight and exhibited alarming physical symptoms without receiving proper treatment from NaphCare personnel. The incident prompted further investigation by the Virginia Office of the Inspector General, which concluded that Mitchell was a victim of substandard care. The fallout from this lawsuit culminated in a $3 million settlement for Mitchell’s family in 2019, underscoring the recurring problems associated with NaphCare’s healthcare practices in detention facilities.
As Spokane County prepares to transition to a new contractor for inmate medical services, the pending decision reflects a growing awareness of the need for ethical, timely, and effective healthcare delivery in jails. The issues surrounding NaphCare’s inadequate responses to medical emergencies have cast a spotlight on the challenges of outsourcing prison healthcare and how such arrangements can adversely affect inmate well-being. With the recent jury award and the accumulation of lawsuits against NaphCare, it has become increasingly clear that accountability in providing healthcare to incarcerated populations is paramount for protecting their rights and dignity.
County officials, including CEO Scott Simmons, have committed to keeping the public informed about developments regarding the new medical service provider. As discussions continue, the Spokane County commissioners are faced with the critical task of ensuring that the incoming vendor will implement practices that adhere to healthcare standards and provide timely medical care for inmates. The commission’s vote on the contract extension will ultimately shape the future of healthcare in Spokane’s detention facilities, signaling a potentially pivotal change in policies that govern care for one of society’s most vulnerable populations.