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Hudson County OKs 90‑day Wellpath contract as commissioners press for clearer correctional health terms
Summary
Hudson County commissioners approved a 90‑day, $3.6 million contract with Wellpath for medical and mental‑health management at the Hudson County Correctional Center while the county conducts a longer procurement. Commissioners raised questions about billing, mental health assessments and Wellpath's past bankruptcy issues; county counsel said the bankruptcy matters appear resolved.
Hudson County commissioners authorized a 90‑day professional services contract with Wellpath, LLC on March 25 to continue medical and mental‑health management at the Hudson County Correctional Center while staff complete a longer procurement.
The short contract runs April 1–June 30, 2025, and is for $3,600,000. County Counsel Donato J. Battista told commissioners the action is consistent with procurement rules that allow short renewals while a longer request for proposals is completed. Battista said Wellpath had bankruptcy issues in the past but that, after the county’s review, those matters “appear to have been resolved,” and there was no indication performance was affected.
Commissioners pushed for more detail. Commissioner William O'Dea asked whether the 90‑day award is effectively an extension of the prior contract and whether the county will pay more during the interim. County Administrator Abraham Antun and Battista said the county used contract language that allows vendors to maintain rates for up to 90 days while a new procurement is completed; the county’s practical result is an extension of existing terms for a short period.
O'Dea also pressed for clarity about what additional services—specifically mental‑health assessments—will be included under the interim agreement and how the provider bills for those services. Antun said the new RFP will require mental‑health assessments as part of core services and that the interim arrangement includes mental‑health assessment work; Battista said the 90‑day contract uses previously negotiated rates and that the county would confirm billing details for the next meeting.
The item drew procedural questions and a request for more reporting. Commissioners requested that staff provide precise billing mechanics and an inventory of services covered under the interim contract at the next meeting so the Board can compare short‑term costs and operational changes to the full RFP they will issue.
The Board did not record vote tallies in the transcript. The clerk recorded Kopacz as sponsor and Romano as second on the motion to authorize the 90‑day contract; county staff said a longer procurement should be in place by the end of the short extension.
