JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
An agreement between Marion County’s Board of Mayor & Commissioners and Southern Health Partners (SHP) was approved during the Board’s annual public meeting on Monday, June 3o.
Mayor David Jackson explained how both the county government and Sheriff’s Department were in collaboration with SHP for several years, with the healthcare provider financially benefitting the county from avoiding major healthcare expenses for those incarcerated within the county jail. Particularly from at one point in which the county spent a near $1 million dollars in healthcare expenses for the county jail.
All fees under the agreement with SHP are set to begin August 1 of this year, with $262,900.44 in payments required to go towards SHP in healthcare services, with an additional and annual outside limited cost pool of $60,000 being also required under the given agreement.
SHP is a major healthcare provider based out of nearby Chattanooga who, since 1994, has provided various medical programs and services to the whole inmate population across over 250 correctional facilities in 16 different states. Encompassing both health and law enforcement personnel, SHP looks to further expand, through reputation and relationships, its outreach throughout the United States to ensure all county jails and correctional facilities are provided with the healthcare services needed for those incarcerated.
Motion for approval was entertained by Chairman of the Board Chris Morrison, with the motion officially approved of thereafter by all members of the County Commission following suit.
