Prison clinics need more oversight

I find it ironic that Gov. Matt Bevin takes exception to an “abortion clinic” being overseen by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure in its oversight of the license of the physician who performs procedures there. Yet he sees no problem with the Department of Corrections operating what are essentially primary-care clinics at its correctional facilities without meeting the requisite licensing requirements and the oversight of the Office of the Inspector General.

I can assure you that the physician at the abortion facility has more control and responsibility for the health care being practiced there than any physician employed by the Department of Corrections has at the facilities where he or she may work.

Please do not ask me to accept that accreditation of a correctional facility by the American Correctional Association is a substitute for the requirements of licensure as a primary care facility.

At any facility where medical care is provided, the assignment of licensure responsibility to either the Board of Medical Licensure or the OIG should entail whether the practicing physician there has control of the provision of services such that he can be held responsible for their proper provision.

If not, facility oversight should belong to the OIG. It is time to hold the care of inmates to the same standards as women’s health care.

This story was originally published March 12, 2016 at 2:47 PM with the headline "Prison clinics need more oversight."