An Illinois state lawmaker is demanding oversight of health care for prison inmates.
The State of Illinois failed to audit Wexford Health Sources before awarding the company a one point four billion dollar dollar contract last year. A House Resolution by democratic Representative Greg Harris would require the state's Auditor General to figure out why. A recent report by the John Howard Association found there's little oversight to show what Illinois is getting for the hundred and fifteen million dollars it pays every year to Wexford, the private health care provider. Harris says when he asked the department of corrections for proof of accountability he says he got a one-page response saying everything is fine. Harris says he wants more accountability. He says the legislature needs to do its job and monitor such contracts. Harris says Wexford may, in fact, be providing great care to Illinois inmates but he wants an independent agency to make sure that's the case.
