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Clay County renews jail medical contract amid rising inmate health costs
Summary
The Clay County Board approved renewing its contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare despite a 5.66% rate increase and projections that inmate medical spending will exceed the 2026 budgeted amount of $930,000, now expected to top $1.2 million.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners approved a renewal of the county's contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH), even as staff warned that inmate medical spending has surged above budgeted levels.
Sheriff Chief Deputy Martin told commissioners the ACH contract includes a 5.66% price increase compared with last year and that the county had budgeted for the change. He said the county originally budgeted $930,000 for inmate medical care in 2026 but has already spent $590,000 and now projects total 2026 medical costs will exceed $1.2 million because of increased hospital fees and medication expenses. “We are here to get the approval to renew and sign a contract with ACH, who is our correctional care folks over at our correctional center,” Martin said.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the rising bills — for inside care, transports to hospitals and prescription medications — have strained the county's budget and merit attention from both county and state policymakers. Board members discussed options including rebidding the contract, legislative outreach and the recent state law change that could permit prescribing generics for inmates as of Aug. 1.
Board discussion focused on alternatives and cost drivers. Commissioners pressed staff on whether other providers could offer savings; the sheriff's office said ACH provides continuity of nursing staff and an on-call doctor and that past providers had caused operational problems. The sheriff's office and county staff also discussed exploring legislative changes to allow incarcerated people to remain on their private or state-sponsored insurance where lawful, which commissioners suggested might reduce county costs.
Formal action: Commissioner Bear moved to approve the contract renewal effective July 1, 2026; Commissioner Ebinger seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote.
What happens next: Staff will implement the contract renewal and continue to monitor medical spending and medication costs, while commissioners signaled intent to pursue legislative and administrative options aimed at lowering county exposure to outside hospital and prescription fees.
