UC Regents to Discuss Proposed Role in Prison Health Care

UAPD President to Present Flaws in Sweeping Plan

SAN FRANCISCO, May 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists:

What: The University of California Regents will discuss the possibility of UC assuming a role in state prison health care at their May 20 meeting.  A prison health care proposal made by Texas-based company NuPhysicia in March is being touted by Governor Schwarzenegger's administration as a "wholesale reform of the prison healthcare system" that promises to save the state $1.2 billion, largely by replacing a great deal of the current hands-on medical care in prisons with brief telemedicine consultations conducted by off-site practitioners employed by UC.

Based on evidence from a similar pilot program in Texas and a report by the State Legislative Analyst office, the cost savings would more likely be between $17 and $35 million per year – and neither of those estimates reflect the cost of the increased lawsuit settlements that would likely result from the degraded level of care.

Dr. Stuart A. Bussey, President of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, will speak during the open comment section of the meeting to present the serious concerns that doctors have about the NuPhysicia plan.

Dr. John D. Stobo, senior vice president for health sciences and services, University of California, will update the committee on conversations with the Governor's Office, the Department of Finance, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Committee on Health Care in California State Prisons.

Who: Dr. Stuart A. Bussey, president, Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD)

Dr. John D. Stobo, senior vice president, Health Sciences and Services, University of California

When: Thursday, May 20, 2010, 8:30 a.m.

Where: UCSF – Mission Bay Community Center

1675 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA

SOURCE Union of American Physicians and Dentists