Mississippi Lawmakers Hold Prison Health Hearing Without MDOC
Lawmakers said the hearing follows reports of untreated hepatitis C, delayed cancer care and other gaps, while MDOC will not attend.
- On Thursday, Mississippi lawmakers held a joint hearing on prison healthcare while the Mississippi Department of Corrections failed to attend despite receiving a letter urging participation.
- Kansas-Based VitalCore Health Strategies, holding a three-year contract worth over $357 million, faced intense questioning from lawmakers about systemic healthcare failures documented by Mississippi Today's investigation.
- Testimony revealed alarming delays: Dr. Jacob Graham described a prostate cancer patient who waited nearly a year for treatment, while Pearly White reported paying over $1,000 to inmates for pain medication her son was denied.
- House Corrections Chairwoman Becky Currie condemned the Department's absence as "totally disrespectful," signaling lawmakers' intent to propose further reforms next year addressing the state's troubled prison healthcare system.
- With MDOC funding set to receive over $430 million in the next fiscal year, Currie aims to open the prison health contract to competitive bidding after Gov. Tate Reeves leaves office in 2027.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Amputations, ‘extortion’ and cancer treatment delays: Lawmakers hear testimony on Mississippi prison healthcare
From prisoners suffering amputations due to diabetes to a mother taking desperate measures to help her incarcerated son treat his debilitating pain, Mississippi lawmakers on Thursday heard stunning testimony in a more than three-hour hearing about inadequate healthcare in state…
Amputations and cancer treatment delays: Lawmakers hear testimony on Mississippi prison healthcare – WTOP News
From prisoners suffering amputations due to diabetes to a mother taking desperate measures to help her incarcerated son treat his debilitating pain, Mississippi
Associated Press News
Amputations and cancer treatment delays: Lawmakers hear testimony on Mississippi prison healthcare
Mississippi lawmakers have heard shocking testimony about inadequate healthcare in state prisons. During a joint hearing, they questioned the CEO of the prison medical contractor, VitalCore Health Strategies, about preventable deaths and illnesses.
Mississippi Today
DeSoto County NewsLawmakers concerned corrections agency may skip hearing on prison healthcare
Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain listens during the Prison Oversight Committee meeting at the Carroll Gartin Justice Building in Jackson on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.
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