Wood County reduces inmate medical costs

1/2/2009

BOWLING GREEN A new three-year contract for inmate medical care at the Wood County jail will save the county about $28,000 a year, Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn has announced.

County commissioners this week approved the contract with Health Professionals of Peoria, Ill., at a cost of $534,000 a year.

Sheriff Wasylyshyn said the contract cost $562,373.52 last year with the same provider.

With a higher daily average population number [at the jail], we re actually getting better coverage for $28,373.52 less, he said.

Health Professionals provides a nurse in the jail 24 hours, seven days a week, as well as a once-a-week physician visit, and mental health care overseen by a psychiatrist.

The plan also pays for the first $7,500 of inmates hospitalization or out-of-jail treatment.