There's nothing like a captive audience to show that high quality and cost containment can go together. A "managed care" program at two county jails in Texas has slashed costs up to 60 percent while keeping prisoners just as healthy. The physician in charge of the program has ended the practice of sending patients to the ER for every little thing, and he's instituted competitive bidding for things like medications and dental care. The county EMS screens the patients and calls a physician when necessary, but the ER is only for actual emergencies.
For more details on the program
- visit this article in the Brenham Banner-Press