Jail Medical Proposal Reviewed in Blackford County
From the Blackford County Commissioners meeting on November 2, 2026
Southern Health Partners presented a Blackford County jail medical-care proposal Nov. 2 that includes a nurse for 30 hours each week and two hours of weekly mental-health coverage.
The private provider also proposed a medical director available on call 24/7, with weekly site visits, and electronic medical records. Its proposal includes an $18,000 annual cost pool for outside medical bills and related expenses. That pool is not the total contract price, which was not announced at the meeting.
The presentation follows Sheriff Heflin's Oct. 19 report that the current provider and competing jail-health companies would begin presenting in November.
Commissioners did not vote on a Southern Health Partners contract Nov. 2. A decision was expected within about two weeks, following discussion comparing the proposal with the county's current arrangement.
The proposed staffing and outside-care pool remain terms under consideration, rather than services approved through a new county contract.
Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County - County Commissioners Meeting - November 2, 2026
Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.
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