WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS REVISE INTERIM JAIL MEDICAL DIRECTOR CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FOR MALPRACTICE INSURANCE

  

Washington County Commissioners moved to amend the county’s contract with Dr. Stuart Yoffe for interim medical services at the county jail at their meeting today (Tuesday).

Commissioners approved allowing County Judge John Durrenberger and the county attorney’s office to renegotiate and rewrite the contract with Dr. Yoffe, which was initially approved last month, to allow the county to obtain medical malpractice insurance.  This would protect the county in case it is named in a civil lawsuit accompanying a malpractice suit against Dr. Yoffe.

Durrenberger was also given authority to increase the pay of Dr. Yoffe by the amount of the insurance, which will cost roughly $850 a month, lasting for his term as interim medical director for the county jail.

The decision was made after Durrenberger explained during a workshop at today’s meeting that Dr. Yoffe, who is not a county employee, is self-insuring himself for $1 million against malpractice claims.  The county was initially looking to become co-owner of that funding to use for insurance, but Durrenberger said Dr. Yoffe would not accept that agreement.  County Treasurer Peggy Kramer said not being named co-owner could be problematic, saying Dr. Yoffe simply pledging the money does not “hold much weight”.  She added if the county were to be named in a suit along with Dr. Yoffe, his money would go toward his defense first and not the county’s.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said having this separate insurance will protect not just the county, but its taxpayers.

 

According to County Attorney Renee Mueller, Dr. Yoffe also wanted the county to defend him in any potential malpractice suit, but she said the county could not agree to that because there is no way of knowing what side the county would be on in a suit.  Durrenberger said that request from Dr. Yoffe has been withdrawn.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:

• Approved the purchase of two smart TVs for the Washington County Engineering and Development Services Department, for its new facility on Highway 36 North. Information Technology Director T.J. Harris said these TVs cost about $700 to $750 per unit.  Hanath said two other TVs were repurposed for use in the facility, cutting down on the county’s cost.
• Approved a professional services agreement between the county and Justice Benefits, Inc. for a federal reimbursement program for Child Protective Services work.
• Approved a 60 day extension of 40 excess vacation hours for Isarel Garcia with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
• Heard monthly reports from several county departments.