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Cowlitz County to Seek New Jail Medical Provider After Current Contractor Signals Exit or Price Increase
Summary
The county will issue a request for proposals for medical services at the jail after current contractor Nafcare indicated intent to withdraw from Washington or bid with a significant price increase; county expects at least two firms to bid but predicts higher costs.
Marin Fox, director of corrections, told the board the county will issue a request for proposals for the jail’s medical contract; the item is scheduled on the agenda for the next meeting.
“As you know, Nafcare, our current medical company, has indicated they would like to withdraw from, essentially, the state of Washington or with a very significant price increase,” Fox said. “They may still bid on it, but we'll see.”
When asked about timing, Fox said the current contract end date is in September. She said she has spoken with at least two companies that are entering the Washington market and that she is “cautiously optimistic” about receiving bids, but she also said she expects proposals will not be lower than current costs.
A commissioner asked whether the landscape suggested competitive bids; Fox said multiple vendors are expanding in the state and that bids likely will be higher. County staff did not take formal action during the meeting; the RFP and any subsequent contract award will be considered at future board meetings and are expected to include higher pricing than the current contract.
Fox asked whether commissioners had questions; none altered the plan to post the RFP and evaluate responses.
