Texas prisoner health care going local?

AUSTIN (AP) - State prison officials are exploring operating a convict health care program that would not involve the
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston for the first time in 18 years.

In a surprise move Friday, officials said they are creating a network that would rely on regional hospitals across the state to provide the care.

The development came after UTMB officials said talks to extend their managed care contract for prisons had reached an impasse.

They proposed no longer providing care at prisons but continuing to operate the prison hospital in Galveston.

But Brad Livingston, prison system executive director, said if the regional network is created, "we believe we could provide care at a regional level, including the specialty care, at less cost."