AOCOPM 2024 Midyear Educational Conference-346719

346719 - Article 17

Pdf Summary

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the correctional healthcare system managed by the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). It highlights the constitutional obligation to provide healthcare to inmates, as established by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Estelle v. Gamble, which emphasizes the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.<br /><br />UTMB operates a comprehensive network of healthcare services for offenders, including onsite and offsite care, mental and dental healthcare, and telemedicine. A significant portion of the care involves managing chronic conditions like Hepatitis C, HIV, and mental health disorders. The UTMB Correctional Managed Care (CMC) employs multiple strategies to deliver efficient healthcare, such as the use of telehealth, centralized pharmacy services, and participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program to leverage cost-effective drug purchasing.<br /><br />The strategic partnership between TDCJ, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center aims to provide quality healthcare while controlling costs, all under the oversight of the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee.<br /><br />Challenges highlighted include an aging inmate population, high incidences of chronic diseases, and the financial and operational impacts of these demographic shifts. The document outlines how the costs and complexity of healthcare delivery in correctional settings have increased, necessitating strategic responses to manage these challenges effectively.<br /><br />The presentation promotes ethical principles in decision-making, addressing dilemmas such as end-of-life care and treatment of chronic infectious diseases. It also underscores the importance of maintaining patient dignity and rights within the correctional healthcare framework. <br /><br />In conclusion, the document provides insights into managing a complex correctional healthcare system, balancing cost, quality, and access, while addressing ethical and operational challenges.

Keywords

correctional healthcare

University of Texas Medical Branch

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Estelle v. Gamble

Eighth Amendment

telemedicine

chronic conditions

340B Drug Pricing Program

aging inmate population

ethical principles