Brunswick Co. commissioners to consider new contract with controversial inmate health care provider [Video]

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Commissioners in Brunswick County are scheduled to discuss the future of health care for inmates at the county detention center during a meeting Monday night.

County Manager Steve Stone is recommending that commissioners approve an agreement with Wellpath LLC to provide inmate health care services at the Brunswick County Detention Center for one year at a value of $2.1 million.

According to agenda documents for Monday’s meeting, five companies responded to the county’s request for proposals for a health care provider for inmates. The document says annual contract values of those proposals ranged from $1.49 million to $2.65 million.

“Sheriff [Brian] Chism is recommending Wellpath due to its proposed staffing plan and types of positions, services provided to both inmates and the Sheriff’s Office, and how they plan to pay and take care of their staff who work in our Detention Center. Their salaries set …