Beyond the bottom line – protecting patients and professionals in corrections: op-ed
Reports indicate that YesCare’s dedicated employees went unpaid while continuing to report to work, and also lost substantial accrued time off – time that was earned as a result of their long and dedicated hours of work.
Ethan Parker 
This is a guest opinion column.
The recent collapse of YesCare, one of the nation's largest private correctional healthcare providers, has sent shockwaves through the industry and exposed severe institutional failures. As leaders in correctional healthcare, we believe it is time to address the fallout of this situation, which has left patients vulnerable and dedicated professionals in a state of financial uncertainty.
A Crisis of Accountability
The company's downfall followed a staggering $307.5 million malpractice verdict, which sent YesCare into a financial free fall. This collapse led to missed payrolls and the abrupt termination of contracts across nine states, impacting nearly 20,000 patients. Most alarming were reports of employees who continued to provide life-sustaining care despite going unpaid and losing substantial accrued time off that they had earned through their dedicated service.
Setting a New Industry Standard
To combat this lack of ethical leadership, we have established the Secure Healthcare Quality Alliance (SHQA). The SHQA serves as a platform for industry members committed to prioritizing quality care, ethical conduct, and the protection of both patients and the workforce.
The SHQA has taken direct action by filing an amicus brief in a Florida bankruptcy court, advocating for the prompt payment of YesCare’s front-line staff. We believe the failures of one entity should never dictate the quality of care or the treatment of the hardworking professionals who keep these vital facilities running.
Stabilizing Care Across the Country
In the wake of the YesCare failure, industry partners have stepped in to ensure continuity of care for thousands of patients. This includes significant work with the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) and various sites across California and Florida. Notably, Birmingham-based NaphCare executed one of the nation's fastest transitions to maintain patient safety.
To support the workforce, new leadership stepped up by assuming approximately $3.5 million in accrued paid time off and investing over $4 million in retention and transition payments. These measures were essential in offsetting the financial instability caused by the previous provider's collapse.
A Call for Integrity
We urge government partners and the public to demand higher standards of accountability. By enforcing policies that prioritize ethics, we can ensure that correctional healthcare remains stable and constitutionally appropriate. It is our mission to ensure that the service of dedicated professionals is never eclipsed by the failures of a single organization.
Deana Johnson is president of the Secure Healthcare Quality Alliance.
