Prison Health Functions Could Be Consolidated
The court-appointed receiver for California's prison health care system is seeking to oversee core programs affecting four separate class-action lawsuits involving inmates' health and welfare, the Oakland Tribune reports. Courts also have appointed receivers to administer dental, mental health and disability access in California prisons.
In his fourth bimonthly report to the court, Robert Sillen, the receiver for prison health care, is seeking to administer projects involving:
- Information technology;
- Medical records;
- Accommodations for clinical and treatment functions;
- Trained personnel to escort inmates with health-related needs; and
- Pharmacy services (Richman, Oakland Tribune, 3/21).
Bill Branch, a spokesperson for DGS, said the agency has not decided whether it would oppose Sillen's effort to take over drug purchasing, but Branch added that DGS has "obtained extremely competitive prices" for medications (Furillo, Sacramento Bee, 3/21).
Sillen said that it would take five to 10 years to elevate the level of care provided in California prisons to a constitutional level of care and that it likely would take the same amount of time to return the system to state control (Oakland Tribune, 3/21). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.