Arkansas lawmakers debate process behind $1.5 billion Department of Corrections medical contract

LITTLE ROCK, Ark – A legislative committee meeting Tuesday heated up over a $1.5 billion medical contract for the Arkansas Department of Corrections and the process used to settle on it.

The contract with Wellpath LLC. is for medical, dental, pharmacy and mental health services for inmates and offenders in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

Debate started with Senate President Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs) questioning the process, saying he’d gotten a letter from the CEO of a company that was denied a contract with the Department of Corrections despite claims by the company it offered a lower price than winning bid.

Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace and other DOC staff members testified about the process they chose, saying it was legal and followed the legislature’s rules.

“We were most familiar with the traditional RFP process,” Wallace told the committee. “We have never used the map process, and this was a huge process, and we didn’t know enough about it.”

Sen. Ben Gilmore (R-Crossett) told the DOC staff he feels the legislature is between a rock and a hard place because they have to provide this care and have a Sept. 30 deadline to do it, but now lawmakers are being presented with a contract with possibly a much higher price tag than what they could’ve gotten with another company.

“Anytime you’re dealing with this amount of money, or any money related to the taxpayers of Arkansas, it’s very important that we have accountability,” Gilmore said after the meeting.

The committee ultimately decided not to vote on this contract Tuesday and instead hold it until Friday when more members are present at the Arkansas Legislative Council meeting.

Gilmore said he talked with DOC staff after the meeting and said they did come to more of an understanding in that conversation, adding that he is prepared to vote in favor of the contract if they can reassure him they followed the procurement process.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.