Former University of Texas Medical Branch president John Stobo has been peddling his inmate health care credentials in California and, until just recently, was making headway in his bid to have the University of California take over state prison health care just as UTMB has done in Texas. The Union of American Physicians and Dentists put up a stiff resistance and at least slowed UC's dash for the state's cash, but I don't think anyone has heard the fat lady singing yet. UC has formed a committee--yes, a committee!--to "study" the issue now. Oh yeah. UC's inmate initiative is as likely to rise again as Jack the Ripper's knife slashing a victim.
I have to wonder just how UC thinks any plan based on the Stobo model will work if UTMB has already declared inmate care a losing proposition. In a previously posted article titled "UTMB Back in the Black," UTMB's CFO declares that inmate care is a money-loser:
The medical branch, which is bringing in actuaries to help make cost projections for the next two years, is working to resolve funding issues for correctional care, he said.
“It’s not working for us, and it’s not working for the state,” Elger said.
The medical branch long has been expected to cover correctional care costs until lawmakers appropriate supplemental funding.
While the inmate patient population is important to the academic mission at the hospital by providing a variety of cases for medical students, it is becoming increasingly costly, Elger said.
In essence, UTMB claims that the state isn't giving it enough to cover the cost of inmate care in Texas. Well, now, what state do we know about, boys and girls, that has more money trouble than just about any state in the union? That's right, kids: California!
I think UC would do well to steer clear of inmate care. I'm pretty sure the inmates would do better, too.
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