State’s takeover of female inmates’ medical care blocked

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004 | 8:54 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, on Wednesday blocked a state takeover of the medical care of female inmates at the state's women's prison in North Las Vegas because, he said, he wanted to make sure the state didn't shortchange taxpayers.

Raggio convinced other members of the Legislative Interim Finance Committee to appoint a subcommittee to determine how much it will cost the state to assume responsibility for the health of the inmates.

The Corrections Corporation of America runs the prison under contract with the state and is paid $47 per day per inmate in the 550-bed prison. Under the proposal, CCA would reduce its per diem rate by $14 with the state taking over health care.

Raggio said the fiscal staff of the Legislature believes it is going to cost the state more than $14 per prisoner per day.

Dr. Ted D'Amico, medical director for the prison system, urged the committee to approve the contract revision. He said the medical care at the North Las Vegas prison was "not up to standard."

He said his state staff has "better capability" than CCA. "It is dangerous to wait," he said. The takeover was scheduled for March 1.

Raggio said he wanted more time to study the deal. He said CCA was getting rid of the troublesome program and keeping the easier one -- security at the prison. But John Tighe, vice president for health care of CCA, said security "is not easy."

Tighe said the switch will be a "wash" in costs. But Raggio said he wanted to see what CCA is paying in outside medical costs at the prison. CCA can pull out of its contract to run the prison in October or it can receive an automatic renewal under the contract.

Tony Grande, vice president of state customer relations for CCA, said it would be "exceedingly hard to continue" if there is not a change in the contract. He said "This remedy gives us hope of operating in a cost-efficient manner." Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, advocated taking over the whole operation in October.

Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, chairman of the Interim Finance Committee, named Raggio to head a subcommittee to look whether the state would be taking on added costs by assuming health care.

The issue will come up at the next meeting of the Interim Finance Committee that won't be until March or April.