Commentary

Prison Health Care Privatization

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is apparently considering privatizing prison health care services. Naturally, the state employees are gearing up to fight the proposal. Among their concerns: “some of the health care workers said they fear they will lose their benefits and possibly their jobs.” Quality of care was also a concern…but it almost came as an afterthought. A spokesman for the governor added, “this is an idea that the governor has thrown out there, first in an effort to see if it is feasible, if there are potential cost savings and if services can continue to be delivered at the same level they are currently being provided.”