Alachua County moves to sever jail healthcare contract after public outcry
Commissioners directed the Sheriff to end a mobile provider agreement while sending formal inquiries to state regulators.
By Lina Lewis ·
Alachua County officials moved to end a healthcare contract at the local jail following a session of public comment filled with specific complaints about patient care.
During the October 27 meeting, the county board confirmed the hiring of Meredith McLean as the new Animal Resources & Care Director. The position carries a starting annual salary of $150,000 and becomes effective on November 2. McLean previously served as the Division Director of Collier County Domestic Animal Services and holds a graduate certificate from the University of Florida.
Eight members of the public raised concerns about Universal Comprehensive Healthcare Services, a mobile organization that provides testing and treatment for HIV and Hepatitis C to homeless residents and jail inmates. Karla Ganley, executive director of the UF Street Medicine team, stated that the care must be safe and coordinated. She noted that patients were offered gift cards to enroll in health insurance plans without fully understanding the consequences. In one instance, this process delayed a patient's surgery by five months.
Ganley reported that the company changed medications for some HIV-positive patients to a treatment she described as inappropriate for the condition. She also verified prescribing practices for Hepatitis B that deviated from clinical guidelines. Mark Bonner, CEO of GRACE Marketplace, said the provider's van began appearing on his campus and nearby properties to drop off prescriptions with gift cards attached. He added that the company had no established agreement or coordination with his organization.
Abigail Perret-Gentil characterized the provider as a predatory insurance broker. She argued that the company sells patients to subpar insurance agencies for profit while the patients lose access to legitimate care. Bobby Mermer, coordinator of the Alachua County Labor Coalition, said the provider established a base in the county through a relationship with the jail's contractor, Wellpath. He warned that the tactics could lead to a Hepatitis C or HIV outbreak by preventing residents from accessing public health insurance like the Ryan White program.
Dr. Laura Guyer, representing the Alachua County Safety Net Collaborative, noted that the nurse practitioner writing prescriptions works remotely from Plantation, Florida. She stated that the company automatically starts all patients on an antiviral called Descovy. Commissioner Anna Prizzia moved to have the Sheriff exercise a 30-day out option to find a new provider for the jail. The motion also called for a letter to state agencies including the State Attorney and the Medical Board.
Sheriff Chad Scott said he plans to work closely with the commission to find the best solution for the jail and the community. Chair Ken Cornell supported the motion, stating that the organization has lost the public's trust. County Attorney Sylvia Torres clarified that the county does not have a direct contract with the provider and does not regulate the company. The Mobile Outreach Clinic has offered to provide Hepatitis C and testing services at the jail free of charge while options are explored.
