Somerset County authorizes three‑year contract for inmate medical services with Alternative Correctional Health Care

County staff presented resolution 25‑1‑94 to authorize a three‑year contract with Alternative Correctional Health Care (ACH) to provide medical and mental health services to inmates at the Somerset County Jail. Staff said the contract was agreed in principle earlier and that the county had been performing under it with an effective date of July 1.

A county representative described the contract as an all‑inclusive agreement that covers onsite medical care, mental‑health services and hospital care for inmates. "It's about $1,800,000" for inmate medical care overall, staff said when asked how that compares to the food budget; they characterized medical as the county’s second largest jail expense outside personnel. The contract includes a 3% increase over the prior contract each year, staff explained.

Deputy and jail representatives described how hospital choice and Medicaid reimbursement rules affect county costs; staff noted the state’s pending 1115 waiver (Medicaid change) is awaiting federal approval and any benefit from that change would not likely arrive before 2027–2028. Commissioners asked about comparisons with other counties and the jail standards council; staff said the council will study contracts across counties to provide recommendations.

The motion to authorize the ACH contract was moved and seconded and recorded in the transcript as approved; no roll‑call vote counts appear in the public record of the meeting transcript. The contract will be managed by the county corrections and finance staff per usual procurement and reporting processes.