New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Mar. 27 a settlement with correctional health care provider NaphCare, LLC and its affiliate Proactive Health Care Medicine, PLLC following an investigation into three deaths at the Onondaga County Justice Center in Syracuse. The agreement requires NaphCare to pay $875,000 to the state and bars it from providing health services in any New York correctional facility for five years.
The case highlights concerns about the quality of medical care provided to individuals in custody and the enforcement of regulations that protect vulnerable populations. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that NaphCare practiced medicine illegally in New York by controlling medical decisions without being licensed, putting people at risk.
“Every New Yorker deserves safe and competent medical care,” said Attorney General James. “Our investigation found that NaphCare illegally practiced medicine in New York and failed to adequately protect individuals in custody who relied on their care. These failures put vulnerable individuals at serious risk and had devastating consequences. Today, we are holding NaphCare accountable and ensuring it cannot return to New York without strict oversight.”
The OAG determined that although Proactive was established as a nominal provider for incarcerated individuals, NaphCare employees based in Alabama made key treatment decisions remotely through electronic systems, issued orders, prescribed medications, and directed patient care despite lacking a license to practice medicine in New York. The investigation revealed serious lapses: one pregnant woman received no prenatal care before giving birth alone in her cell; another person died by suicide after not receiving mental health support; a third individual died from cardiovascular disease following inadequate treatment for high blood pressure.
According to the official website, the New York Attorney General promotes social justice through civil rights enforcement and consumer advocacy while operating as a public law enforcement agency with regional offices across the state. Letitia James heads this office which also provides services such as consumer fraud investigations, charities oversight, tenant dispute mediation, environmental protection efforts, and upholds public safety.
Under terms of the settlement announced by Assistant Attorney General Susan Lambiase under Health Care Bureau Chief Darsana Srinivasan’s supervision, if NaphCare seeks future contracts after five years it must first notify OAG for approval; any providers must be properly licensed entities within New York State. Each violation could result in a $50,000 penalty or further action.
