Supervisor wants to forge a new path for medical services at Santa Rita Jail

Chances medical provider's $250 million contract is renewed in two years is becoming increasing unlikely; San Lorenzo's past history of restrictive covenants is revisited; Mahan endorses Taylor

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—The five-year, $250 million contract with Santa Rita Jail’s beleaguered medical services provider may not be extended past 2027, based on comments from Alameda County supervisors at Thursday’s Public Protection Committee meeting.

Wellpath’s care and efficiency has been repeatedly questioned in recent years, highlighted by the death of Maurice Monk, an inmate who was poorly cared for and later found dead in his cell.

“I’m not mincing my words. I’ve not been pleased with Wellpath,” said Supervisor Nate Miley.

“I don’t want to see an extension. I really don’t,” he said, adding the county should begin formulating a timeline for a Request For Proposal (RPF) soon.

Miley acknowledged seeking to determine if Wellpath was in breach of its contract with the county, but he has not yet received any assurances from county counsel.

Alameda Health System, which operates Highland Hospital and other safety net facilities in the county, could potentially take over medical services at the jail, Miley believes.

Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez, who took over the department in January 2023, was hesitant about suggestions to drop Wellpath.

“I want to make sure we’re not bashing our Wellpath partner,” Sanchez told the board.

Sanchez wants to give Wellpath time to correct errors pointed out by her office. “There’s an opportunity for improvement,” she said, adding. “I want to be clear that we’re holding Wellpath responsible.”

Adding to Wellpath’s issues is dilapidated records management software that is more 20 years old. Supervisors suggested seeking a path toward collaborating with Alameda Health System to use Epic, its existing records management system.

The Alameda County Healthcare Services Agency is already in the process of purchasing Epic for the jail, Miley said. “We recognize the need for Epic. We don’t have to be convinced of that. That needs to take place for quality care at the jail.”

A joint Health Committee and Public Protection Committee meeting will be scheduled within the next month to address Wellpath’s contract and Epic.

—More inside:

• Alameda County is set to add two San Lorenzo homes to its historical registry, but some want its dark history of racially restricted covenants to be transparent.

• Oakland special election: Loren Taylor knows the way to San Jose.

• Barbara Lee’s campaign is in a Code Blue situation, and nurses and healthcare workers are rushing to her aid.

• Heading toward the April 15 special election, Alameda County Registrar’s #2 is steering the ship.

• Campaign finance data for Thursday.

—411 ON THE 510—Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get FULL ACCESS to the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m. It’s what the insiders read.

—The story of the East Bay’s public corruption scandal will be told here. SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

—New episode of the East Bay Insiders Podcast coming later today!