The plan, still being refined, could include the purchase or construction of a central hospital near several prison infirmaries for housing and treatment of the chronically sick. That would reduce the state’s current — and expensive — practice of paying correctional officers overtime to transport and guard inmates at community hospitals around the state. Eventually, the program would mean a sharp reduction in the number of employees providing care. The proposal would require approval from lawmakers and from federal judges presiding over inmate lawsuits on inadequate healthcare. It could meet with opposition from unions for state workers whose jobs might change or be eliminated.

Read full article [here].
by Michael Rothfeld, The Los Angeles Times.

Posted: March 19th, 2010, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.