Inmate health neglect to be investigated

Cases allege mistreatment by the state Department of Correction’s contracted medical provider UConn Health

“The gross negligence of UConn Health’s correctional health care unit is inexcusable.”

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano

Senate Republicans want answers about a series of cases alleging medical neglect of inmates by the state Department of Correction’s contracted health care provider UConn Health.

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, called on the Department of Correction this week to hand over all reports related to the cases and face public questioning from legislators.

“The gross negligence of UConn Health’s correctional health care unit is inexcusable,” he said in a news conference at the Capitol.

The state is reviewing more than two dozen cases, including eight deaths, that have have resulted — or may result in — lawsuits over medical care from UConn Health. A 2017 state auditor report found what it described as systematic failures to provide proper medical care.

In February, state officials announced responsibility for inmate medical care will shift in July from UConn Health to the state Department of Correction.

“Ensuring the delivery of high-quality health care in a cost-effective and efficient manner is the precise reason the Department of Correction is already undertaking a review of our inmate medical care system, and why we are currently on a path to delivering services

in new ways,” said Karen Martucci, director of external affairs for the Department of Correction, in a statement Wednesday. “We welcome Sen. Fasano and others to this discussion and will gladly consider input they may offer.”

Joined by Sens. Heather Somers, R-Groton, and George Logan, R-Ansonia, Fasano asked the Department of Correction to turn over all reports investigating UConn Health inmate treatment, regardless of attorney-client privilege and whether it exposes the state to liability. He called it “appalling” that even state auditors cannot access some of the reports.

“We should know what’s happening with the people we are incarcerating,” he said. “That information should be disclosed.”

The Department of Correction said the reports in question are subject to attorney-client privilege and could not comment on any specific person’s health records.

The DOC had contracted with UConn Health since 1987. It had not sought other bids for the $100 milliona-year contract, a decision criticized by legislators.

UConn Health would lose $1 million with the switch this fiscal year and $8 million next year, DOC said.

Speaking to reporters, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Wednesday he had faith the commissioner of the Department of Correction could fix any health care concerns. He said cuts to funding were due to a shrinking prison population.