Centurion has a record of similar problems in states that crossed the country. Centurion of Arizona by Centene is a medical organization that provides correctional health care, Medicaid, Medicare, and health coverage. The parent group and its subsidiaries have encountered various lawsuits claiming wrongful deaths in prisons, allowing an inmate to give birth alone, and lack of providing mental health care. Centurion also has been scrutinized for donating large amounts of money to local politicians’ campaigns after being granted contracts in other states.
In 2018, The Arizona Department of Corrections accepted the company after earning five bid proposals during a solicitation process. According to the organization, Centurion offered a bid of more than $204.7 million, or $16.60 per inmate per day. Centene did not respond to The Arizona Republic when questioned whether current medical staff would require to reapply for jobs or if there would be layoffs.
An inmate who gave birth inside a cell at the Tennessee Prison for Women has filed suit, alleging nurses and a doctor “alternately ignored and only occasionally checked on” the pregnant woman during four hours of labor. A girl inmate gave birth inside a cell in the prison’s medical formation outwardly a qualified OB-GYN, in non-sterile situations and without pain medication, according to the lawsuit filed against Centurion. This private company negotiates with the state to provide prisoner health care. The lawsuit also names Dr. Donald Bruce, a doctor employed by the company.
Lawsuits were filed in New Mexico after two prisoners died by suicide in December. The cases commanded the New Mexico Department of Corrections and Centurion did not provide proper mental health care. Just like in Arizona, Centurion took over providing health care in New Mexico prisons from Corizon.
A mother fighting with her mental health problems never had a chance to ask for help inside Arizona Prisons. “He had always been full of energy in a way that was different from other kids, she said. But Schwickrath hadn’t considered the possibility that his behaviors were indicators of mental-health issues until he was an adult. Later, she said it was clear he started doing things she couldn’t understand.
He filled notebooks with formulas and symbols and sent letters to the president because he believed he knew how to build a spaceship.” A mother stated. Centurion’ Parent company Centene also has a history of bestowing politicians’ campaigns in the states where it works. In Florida, Centurion replaced Corizon as the state’s prison healthcare contractor in 2016.
Centene gave former Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the state’s Republican Party several donations over the years, including $175,000 to a political action representative that helped re-elect Scott. Reported Centene gave ten politicians in Mississippi money over the years. Centene Management Co., a subsidiary insurance company, became “the biggest donor of the highest fundraising Mississippi official in 2017” after a $50,000 contribution to Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. Centurion provides correctional healthcare and staffing services to government agencies in 17 states. By combining proper financial discipline with the delivery of appropriate care, Centurion is gaining appreciation among states as a top correctional healthcare provider.
