COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ‘THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING 1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004 Davin Grosso Committee Member Councilmember At-Large Finance and Revenue Chair, Committee on Education Health and Human Services March 9, 205 The Honorable Muriel Bowser Executive Office of the Mayor 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 306 Washington, D.C. 20004 Re: D.C. Jail Healthcare Delivery Contract Mayor Bowser: | am writing to express serious concerns | have with the contracting process for healthcare services at the Department of Corrections (D.C. Jail) facilities. As you know, last year the Gray ‘administration conducted:an RFP process to contract with a vendor to supply healthcare services at the D.C. Jail. That contract was awarded to Corizon, a Tennessee based for-profit company, and the contract submission to the D.C. Council was withdrawn before we could vote on it, It was recently brought to my attention that you are considering resubmitting this contract to the D.C. Council. if this is your plan then | strongly urge you to reconsider and instead reopen the RFP process for this contract. | have consistently heard from experts in this field that contracting with Corizon represents a step backward in the progress we have made in delivering quality healthcare to D.C. Jail inmates. Many groups have contacted my office over the past year opposing this contract including: Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, Children’s Defense Fund, American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Defense Center, University Legal Services and the D.C. FOP Corrections Union. in addition, there is clear evidence of Corizon’s ineffectual delivery of healthcare in jails and prisons throughout the country. Over the past five years there have been at least 660 lawsuits filed against Corizon with half of the cases remaining open and a quarter of the closed cases ending with a confidential settlement. Lawsuits and government audits have alleged serious deficiencies in Corizon's practices in Minnesota, Virginia, Florida, New York, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, California, Maine, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Minnesota have already ended their contracts with Corizon and in other states, like Virginia, Corizon left the state rather than reform their practices leaving the state with enormous liabilities for poorly delivered healthcare services at Virginia prisons.According to a story in the New York Times on January 22, 2015, the New York State Commission of Correction found there was gross incompetence by Corizon medical personnel and correction officers at Rikers Island that led to the death of a mentally ill inmate. The Commission is asking the U.S. Justice Department to launch a federal investigation into possible civil rights violations at the prison where Corizon is the healthcare contractor. Just last week, members of the New York City Council publicly challenged Corizon and questioned whether it was time to end the Corizon contract. Interestingly, when | met with the company’s representatives last year, their leadership highlighted Corizon’s contract with the New York City Department of Correction system as an exemplar of the company's work. In a press release last year regarding the contract award here in D.C., Corizon quoted the ‘Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner, Gregory Ahern, as stating, "With Corizon staff handling our inmate medical care program, my staff and | are able to run a smooth and efficient operation at both jails.” That statement is hard to believe given that on February 9, 2035 Corizon settled the largest wrongful death suit in California history; agreeing to pay $8.3 million and change its staffing practices after being sued by the family of an inmate who died in an Alameda County jail, Corizon’s poor performance has not only been demonstrated in other jurisdictions, but right here at home. PHS Correctional Healthcare, which in 2011 merged with another company to create Corizon, had the contract at the D.C. Jail prior to being forced out due to numerous lawsuits for ineffective care. We should learn from past mistakes when it comes to contracting with for-profit correctional health entities. In the long run, this contract will not only cost the city more but it will prove to be more costly for our inmates, who rely on these critical healthcare services. Again, | strongly urge you to reconsider and instead restart the RFP process for this contract. | ook forward to working with you and your team to ensure that inmates at the D.C. Jail are provided the best possible healthcare. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me. You can also contact my Legislative Assistant, Darby Hickey, at (202) 724-8015 or at dhickey@decouncilus. Sincerely, David Grosso Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson, Committee on Education CC: All Councilmembers Thomas N. Faust, Director of the Department of Corrections Kevin Donahue, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Maia Estes, Director of the Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs