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Panel hears about privatization of medical services

May 05, 2016 6:45 am

Katie Kocijanski is reporting in The Daily Mail providing medical services to the incarcerated was the topic of discussion at the Greene County Legislature’s latest jail project committee meeting, Wed., May 4. The group heard from retired Ulster County Jail Administrator Brad Ebel. Ebel spoke about his experience opening a new county jail and privatizing medical services at that facility. He is now the vice president of business development for Correctional Medical Care, a private health care company for prisons. Ebel said the cost of medical services at the Ulster County Jail total approximately $2.7 million. Private companies can provide staffing, medical billing, pharmacy and medical supply services. Under its current system, Greene County employs one nurse who works eight hours a day, five days a week. If an individual is seriously ill or injured they are sent to the hospital. Ebel said after the Ulster jail contracted privately for medical services, the number of emergency room visits decreased dramatically. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.