10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY August 1-7, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com The County of Monterey and its health care contractor in the jail, Wellpath, continue to be “substantially” out of compliance with the terms of a 2015 settlement, according to a neutral third-party monitor’s report. In advance of an Aug. 1 court date where Wellpath could face fines, its attorney is questioning the validity of the monitor’s data. Incarcerated people in the jail filed a class-action lawsuit over health care conditions in 2013. Two years later, the plaintiffs settled with the County of Monterey and Wellpath. The terms of the settlement include ongoing third-party monitoring; monitors’ reports were filed under seal until last year, when a federal judge ruled they could be made public. A total of 27 inmates have died in custody since the settlement, including six in 2023. There have been no deaths so far this year. In 2023, a federal judge ruled that issues in the jail remained unresolved and the County and Wellpath were violating the settlement by not being in “substantial compliance” with most of the 44 requirements spelled out in the settlement agreement, and gave them until March 2024 to meet them or face fines. The most recent medical monitor report, filed by Bruce Barnett in June, covered visits in February and March to the jail. Among the findings, Barnett wrote that those incarcerated were not timely screened for sexually transmitted diseases—estimating that half of the people booked into jail during those two months were screened—and chronic medical conditions were not consistently addressed. In addition, staffing was inadequate to meet the demand for services. Barnett added that he found the care “inadequate” for 22 out of the 30 patients he reviewed. As an example, one inmate complaining of “10/10 pain” from a dental infection was given Tylenol, which “did not comport with nursing protocols that require immediate contact with medical or dental provider,” according to Barnett. Another man who was admitted to jail intoxicated did not receive immediate care, Barnett wrote, which reportedly led him to later be admitted to the hospital for delirium “that might have been avoided by earlier, timely medical attention.” Of the eight inmates who Barnett considered received “adequate care,” a man with diabetes received “appropriate treatments” for chronic kidney disease, and a woman who “complained of fluid retention and other somatic symptoms” was examined “frequently.” Barnett concluded that while medical care in the jail improved compared to previous audits, medical services were still out of compliance in 11 of the 12 categories. In a joint report filed on July 26 by all parties, Wellpath’s attorney Allison J. Becker wrote the health care contractor “has made significant strides towards compliance, specifically in staffing, intake and training.” However, Becker wrote that the compliance reports, which also include separate filings for mental health and dental reviews, were not based on the level of compliance at the end of March 2024, the deadline given by the court to resolve the issues. Two of the reports were released within the last week, not giving all parties a chance to review them, she wrote. “This tactic is unfair to the court, monitors, and defendants, because it ignores the monitor’s authority to make changes to their draft reports after consideration of input from the parties,” Becker wrote. Becker argued that the patients included in the report were “identified by plaintiffs’ counsel rather than choosing sample charts in an unbiased manner. “By reviewing charts in this way, it is difficult to know whether such cases are anomalies in an otherwise well-functioning system, or whether such cases represent larger systemic problems with compliance,” Becker wrote. Wellpath did not respond to a request for comment. All parties are due in court on Aug. 1, at which time the court could decide to impose fines on Wellpath for noncompliance. This year, the County of Monterey and Wellpath settled lawsuits brought forward by the families of four men who died while in custody at the jail. The County agreed to settle with the families of Antonio Billante for $2 million, Juan Carlos Chavez for $1.2 million, Matthew Medina for $875,000 and Carlos Patino Regalado for $500,000. The terms of the settlement with Wellpath are private, says Jamie Goldstein, an attorney with Arias Sanguinetti who represented the families. In a statement, County officials said providing health care to those incarcerated is complex not only in Monterey County Jail, but across the country. “Many individuals present with intricate medical and mental health conditions, often compounded by society’s ever-growing substance abuse issues; lack of veracity from patients; and patients who have not regularly seen a medical provider,” the statement reads. “We continue to actively collaborate with medical and mental health monitors and our contracted correctional health care provider to implement improvements, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to continually enhance our services.” Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said she continues to work with the Board of Supervisors “to address the high number of mental health and substance addictions associated with our incarcerated population. “Together our goal is to bring positive change,” she said. Rocky Path County jail’s health care provider could face fines for noncompliance. By Erik Chalhoub news Rent Control The City of Salinas hosts a meeting to discuss its draft rent stabilization ordinance. The public can provide input before the ordinance goes to City Council later in August. 6-7:30pm Thursday, Aug. 1. PAL Center, 100 Howard St., Salinas. Free. 758-7334, housingwebmail@ci.salinas. ca.us. Ag Work Join a discussion about what changes are needed to improve farm jobs. Agriculture worker José Anzaldo, consultant James Nakahara, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas Executive Director Mily Treviño-Sauceda and retired attorney Juan Uranga speak. 6pm Monday, Aug. 5. Sherwood Elementary School, 110 South Wood St., Salinas; online at zps.la/youtube. Free. zps.la/agriculture. Milk It The 17th annual Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair provides resources for nursing mothers. 11am-3pm Tuesday, Aug. 6. Women, Infants and Children, 632 East Alisal St., Salinas. Free. 796-2888. community cops National Night Out provides a friendly forum for community members and public safety officers to interact, complete with vehicle tours, drone demos, live music and free tacos. 4-7:30pm Tuesday, Aug. 6. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 758-7019, jessicac@ ci.salinas.ca.us, cityofsalinas.org. Traffic Flow Monterey County’s Department of Public Works hosts a workshop to discuss a proposed roundabout at the intersection of San Miguel Canyon Road and Castroville Boulevard in Prunedale. 6:30-8pm Tuesday, Aug. 6. Prunedale Grange, 17890 Moro Road, Prunedale. Free. 755-4972, ramos-perediam@ countyofmonterey.gov. bus way MST envisions a 4.3-mile dedicated bus lane adjacent to Highway 1 between Marina and Sand City. The project, called SURF!, heads to the California Coastal Commission for a vote. Staff to the commission recommend denying the project. 9am Wednesday, Aug. 7. In-person meeting in Calabasas; virtually at coastal.ca.gov. Free. Submit speaker requests at coastal.ca.gov/meetings/ request-testimony/wednesday. Job Hunt Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to give employers a chance to meet job seekers. 1-4pm Wednesday, Aug. 7. America’s Job Center, 344 Salinas St., Salinas. Free; RSVP required. 796-3335, montereycountyworks.com. A common area is shown in Monterey County Jail. A third-party monitor found the jail’s health care provider continues to be out of compliance with a 2015 settlement. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX Medical services were out of compliance in 11 of the 12 categories. Daniel Dreifuss
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==