More than $581 million was spent on health care for Texas’ 152,841 prisoners in 2011. Texas is trying to lower that cost by subcontracting prison health care to the University of Texas Medical Branch and Texas Tech University. The partnership reduces medication costs through a federal program and uses cost-saving technology such as telemedicine.This high-tech medical consultation uses technology to connect prisoners, who are often housed in remote areas, with medical experts throughout the state. “What we’re doing collectively between UTMB, Texas Tech and the Texas Department of Correctional Justice, no one in the country is doing that,” said Dr. Owen Murray, vice president of offender health services at UTMB. The news is also shown in The Houston Chronicle, The Fairfield Citizen, Corrections One and The Daily Journal.