Overview

• Illinois has awarded a more than $4 billion prison medical care contract to Wexford Health Sources, the same company it's used for three decades, despite multimillion-dollar lawsuits against the firm and statewide complaints alleging substandard care.
• Wexford’s offer came in $673 million higher than one from VitalCore Health Strategies of Topeka, Kansas, according to a procurement announcement.
• Wexford has been criticized for its performance, facing numerous multimillion-dollar lawsuits that accuse the company of delayed or shoddy health care and backlash for relying on off-site doctors to determine whether and what treatment is necessary.
• Positions for medical professionals continue to suffer high vacancy rates, with roughly one-third of physicians' positions unfilled, while the vacancy rate for nurses and dental professionals is about 50%.
• A panel of experts appointed by a federal judge concluded in 2015 that the Corrections Department's health care system was 'unable to meet minimal constitutional standards.'