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Sacrificing Care?

For the past 16 years, the medical needs of Texas' 160,000 prison inmates have been outsourced to the University of Texas Medical Branch and Texas Tech University, which have worked hard to provide care at the lowest possible cost. But with steep budget cuts and anticipated layoffs, critics contend the state could soon sacrifice the quality of that care — and could even face a legal challenge. Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports.

By Nathan Bernier, KUT News
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Inmates Roberto Bisco and Robbie Robinson undergo dialysis in the medical center of the Estelle Unit in Huntsville, Texas.
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller
For the past 16 years, the medical needs of Texas' 160,000 prison inmates have been outsourced to the University of Texas Medical Branch and Texas Tech University, which have worked hard to provide care at the lowest possible cost. But with steep budget cuts and anticipated layoffs, critics contend the state could soon sacrifice the quality of that care — and could even face a legal challenge. Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports.

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Nathan Bernier

KUT NEWS

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