Dear Senator Warren,
We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing medical neglect under VitalCore, the new medical provider contracted to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.
Despite the replacement of Wellpath—an organization already facing numerous national lawsuits for inadequate care—the situation has not improved. Instead, VitalCore has continued to fall short in addressing critical healthcare needs, resulting in significant harm to incarcerated individuals who rely on this system for their well-being.
Recent reports highlight severe issues such as:
Medication mismanagement: Several incarcerated people, including one who requires Tylenol to manage pain while waiting for her knee replacement, have missed simple medical refills due to administrative failures. This negligence has led to worsening health and heightened risk of serious complications, violating sections 4.3.5.13 and 4.3.5.15 of the Request for Responses (RFR).
Delayed surgeries: An incarcerated woman awaiting a thyroidectomy has faced repeated delays, causing unnecessary suffering and further deterioration of her condition. These delays are due to a lack of communication and logistical failures by VitalCore, failing to meet section 5.6 of the RFR.
Reduced in-person & specialist visits: Incarcerated people have reported not receiving as many in-person and specialist appointments at BMC and Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, particularly people who require regular specialist attention, which fails to meet points outlined in section 5.6 of the RFR.
Lack of VitalCore administration on staff: It has been reported that medical staff working under Wellpath have now shifted to working under VitalCore, but that there are no longer any administrative staff at the prisons. An absence of Staff Access directly impacts the grievance process. This also violates section 3.5.2 of the RFR.
Lack of communication: Specifics about the transition plan from WellPath to Vital Core have not been outlined publicly, nor has there been any level of communication to incarcerated people.
These cases reflect a troubling pattern that persists despite the change in providers, suggesting that the transition has not led to the promised improvements. The ongoing neglect underscores a systemic failure to address the fundamental healthcare needs of those in Massachusetts prisons and jails, and the urgent need for decarceration and community-based healthcare for this population.
DeeperThanWater urges you to take immediate action to investigate these serious concerns and hold the new provider accountable for meeting the required standards of care, as listed in the finalized RFR. Ensuring that all individuals receive timely and competent medical attention is not just a matter of policy, but a moral obligation that we must uphold.
As a representative entrusted with the well-being of our community, it is crucial that you investigate and address these issues. The health and safety of vulnerable individuals are at stake, and the continued inadequacy of the current medical provider cannot be overlooked. We look forward to your response, including the steps that will be taken to rectify the situation.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
DeeperThanWater
