Idaho Keeps Same Health Care Provider for Prison

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Board of Correction has awarded Corizon another contract to provide medical care to the state's prison inmates. The Department of Correction and Corizon have had a rocky relationship in the past.

The state has been under pressure from a decades-old lawsuit to improve medical care for prisoners, and a court-appointed expert concluded more than a year ago that Corizon's medical care at one prison was exceedingly poor.

Corizon countered that it was meeting national prison standards. Four companies submitted bids, and the proposals were scored based on technical details and overall cost.

Corizon had the highest overall score, though it was also the most expensive proposal at nearly $41 million a year. The other companies — Centurion, CHC, Corizon and Naphcare — have about a week to appeal.