6/11/03 Managed Care Company's Actions Are Imposing Death Sentences On Jail Inmates

Media Alert
For Immediate Release
Information contacts:
Kim Sailer, Ricci*Leopold, 561-684-6500 or
Kyle Zimmer, WPO/PR, 561-626-0026, ext. 17

EMBARGOED DRAFT

Managed Care Company’s Actions Are Imposing Death Sentences On Jail Inmates

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – If someone breaks the law, they in some way or form pay a debt to society.  However, inmates in the Manatee County jail system are paying not only with time served, but with their health as well.

Over 100 inmates in the Manatee County jail and prison system are filing a lawsuit against Prison Health Services, Inc. a subsidiary of America Service Group.  Prison Health Services was contracted by Manatee County and the State of Florida, to manage health care needs of jailed individuals in Manatee area facilities.  Many of the men and women are in jail for short periods, serving sentences for minor crimes.

Attorney Theodore (Ted) Leopold, a partner in the West Palm Beach, FL based firm of Ricci*Leopold is lead counsel on the case.  “Imagine if you will going to jail and suffering from AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis, or an infected wound, and then being denied treatment by the company contracted to provide it,” said Leopold.  “These men and women are in jail, however, our laws protect their rights, which includes humane treatment.  A diabetic needs insulin, an AIDS patient needs a battery of medications and treatment.  An infected wound needs dressings and antibiotics.  Summarily this company has put their economic gains ahead of assisting those individuals that they promised to provide healthcare to,” he added.

Prison Health Services employs more than 6,900 “healthcare professionals and support staff across the country.”  The firm proclaims that it “leads the correctional healthcare field in the application of proven managed care principals to ensure the high quality, cost-effective healthcare at each of our client facilities.”  In all of its documents posted on the website prisonhealth.com, the company continually addresses its cost effectiveness for clients.  Additionally, Prison Health touts itself as offering vast resources, unmatched expertise and the best value in healthcare.

“The way this company has managed its cost is to basically avoid or deny treatment.  One of our clients requested treatment and medication for a severely infected finger/hand on five occasions.  His finger/hand was never examined by anyone from Prison Health, nor was his fiverequests addressed or reviewed.  His wound progressed to the point of a serious infection,” explained Leopold.  “This is one of dozens of other incidences where treatment has been delayed, ignored or denied.  AIDS patients loosing eye site, inmates arriving beaten and bloody from a fight and not being examined or treated, infected dog bites, the list is long, chilling and incredibly sad.  We are talking about human beings here, who have a right to healthcare treatment.”

Leopold expects to file the case on behalf of more than 125 plaintiffs within the next 30 days.

Theodore J. Leopold is a Senior Partner of the law firm of Ricci * Leopold, P.A.  The firm founded in 1982, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices located at 1645 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. Mr. Leopold can be contacted at 561-684-6500.  Additional information about Ricci * Leopold may be obtained from the firm’s website at www.riccilaw.com.