WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE REVISION TO JAIL MEDICAL DIRECTOR MALPRACTICE INSURANCE
Washington County Commissioners approved a revision to the county’s jail medical director malpractice insurance at their meeting today (Tuesday).
Commissioners voted to approve obtaining malpractice insurance from James River Insurance Company, to protect the county in case it is named in a civil lawsuit accompanying any malpractice suit against interim jail medical director Dr. Stuart Yoffe.
The insurance policy approved, which becomes effective July 1st, carries an annual premium of $16,800, averaging out to $1,400 per month. The policy initially proposed in April carried a $10,000 annual premium, averaging out to $850 a month. However, the county only intends for the approved policy to run through September, so instead of paying $5,100 over six months with the initial policy, the county will pay $4,200 over three months.
County Judge John Durrenberger said the net effect of choosing the policy with the reduced length is a decrease in total premium payout of $900. Commissioner Candice Bullock said if the county finds a new jail medical director within the next three months, it can cancel the policy and be refunded the remaining balance.
Durrenberger said the county had difficulty finding an insurance provider due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that several companies declined to provide insurance once they learned that Dr. Yoffe actually goes inside the jail to treat patients, unlike jail medical directors in other areas.
County Attorney Renee Mueller said the $1 million in self-insurance previously set aside by Dr. Yoffe was intended to cover the county in case he needed to indemnify the county.
The item was approved with commissioners’ understanding that Durrenberger will talk with Dr. Yoffe about the insurance policy. If changes to the contract with Dr. Yoffe are needed, it could come back before commissioners court.
Commissioners voted 3-1 on the measure, with Commissioner Kirk Hanath opposing. Hanath explained that he is not opposed to the county having medical malpractice insurance, but rather to the county potentially bringing the contract with Dr. Yoffe back before commissioners for a third time. He said it is not necessary to bring the contract back for discussion if he has already agreed to it, adding he hopes that Durrenberger will be able to sit down with Dr. Yoffe and resolve any remaining issues.
Previously, Sheriff Otto Hanak said he was forced to ban former jail medical director Dr. Robert Stark from the jail after commissioners took too long to investigate complaints against him presented as far back as November. According to Jail Captain Eric Hensley, investigation is still ongoing.
Also in court today, commissioners:
- Approved a resolution authorizing an application for a coronavirus emergency supplemental fund grant.
- Approved the selling of surplus county property through GovDeals, the county’s online auction service. The Sheriff’s Office is selling an automotive lift from the evidence room.
- Approved the purchase of an access control system for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, using Sheriff’s forfeiture funds.
- Tabled the purchase of a water heater replacement and requests for proposals for commissary and resident banking software for the Washington County Jail.
- Approved an employee status form for the Engineering and Development Services Department.
- Approved the implementation of new Washington County Information Technologies policies.
- Approved a pay application to Collier Construction for the new Engineering and Development Services facility.
- Approved project modification proposals for the Engineering and Development Services facility, including building letter revision, labor for asphalt tank, and revised electrical for asphalt tank.
- Heard monthly reports from several county departments.