Lawmaker calls for hearing on New York jail heath care, reevaluation of contracted provider

A New York City councilman says he'll hold an oversight hearing this year to examine the care provided by a contracted company in city jails, where documents show timeliness and quality of care were issues in more than a dozen inmate deaths since 2009.

Council health committee chairman Corey Johnson on Monday called last week's report by The Associated Press detailing 15 inmate deaths "disturbing but not surprising."

Johnson says an AP story based on hundreds of documents confirmed a "serious reevaluation" of health care provider Corizon Health Inc. is necessary.

Corizon has a three-year, $127 million contract to provide medical and mental health care in city jails. A spokeswoman says the Brentwood, Tennessee-based company works hard to deliver quality care in a challenging environment.