Texas lawmakers consider changes to prison care

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July 9, 2012

Texas lawmakers consider changes to prison care

Anonymous Associated Press Mon Jul 09, 2012, 02:21 PM CDT

AUSTIN — Additional cuts to the health care system for Texas prison inmates could make it unconstitutional.

In testimony to the Senate Finance Committee Monday, doctors responsible for managing inmate care said they did not know how they could make further cuts.

Last month, Gov. Rick Perry asked state agencies to offer proposed budgets that cut present spending by 10 percent. Lawmakers already cut state spending by $15 billion last year.

Experts also told senators that there is little the state can do to tap federal Medicaid funds to cover the costs of caring for prisoners.

Some lawmakers have proposed allowing private companies to provide prisoner care.

Texas lawmakers are holding hearings on a variety of topics to be ready in January, when the Legislature will meet again and begin passing laws.

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