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Commission votes to increase jail medical and MAT funding amid rising population and costs
Summary
The board approved budget increases to cover medical services and a medication‑assisted treatment program at the Metropolitan Detention Center after county and UNMH staff said inmate population growth and reliance on travel staffing raised contract costs; the measures passed 5‑0.
Bernalillo County commissioners on May 27 approved a financial resolution to increase the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) medical contract budget and to fund a medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) program, citing rising inmate population and higher service costs.
The commission voted to increase the MDC medical contract by $1,551,191.99 and to allocate $1,865,807.02 to the Medical Health Care Authority fund for MAT services. Warden and county staff said population growth and higher‑cost staffing — including significant use of traveling nurses — drove the need for additional funding.
County staff said the original contract assumed an average daily population of about 1,550 inmates; the facility’s population was higher in late May and has ranged around 1,850–1,934, creating higher utilization of medical services. The county manager said officials are working with the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) to “true up” costs each quarter and to identify steps to stabilize spending while maintaining services.
Commissioners said they supported the funding to ensure continuity of on‑site medical care and to expand MAT services for people in custody. Vice Chair Barboa and others praised staff for coordination with UNMH and noted the MAT expansion aligns with public‑health goals to treat opioid and substance‑use disorders while people are in custody.
The county manager and warden said they will continue efforts to control costs, including hiring and retention strategies to reduce reliance on travel nurses and examining Medicaid and other revenue options where appropriate. The commission approved the funding by roll call vote.
