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County reduces jail physician cost by negotiating with bidder

By Robert Sorrell

Carter County will save more than $56,000 on the anticipated cost of a jail physician after negotiations with Southern Health Partners.

County Attorney Keith Bowers told members of the Law Enforcement Committee that negotiations with Southern Health Partners, low bidder at $478,800 for medical care at the Carter County Jail, had reduced the cost to $422,100 annually.

The full commission approved the bid at its last meeting and created a negotiating committee to finalize a contract.

Southern Health Partners, which is hiring local staff, replaces Dr. Daniel Paul, whose contract ended on Oct. 1. Southern Health Partners is based in Chattanooga.