Alabama Signs New Inmate Health Contract

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Alabama signs new inmate health care contract aimed at cutting costs.

Authorities say the Alabama Department of Corrections has agreed to a new health care contract for inmates with a Missouri-based company.

The contract is with Corizon Inc., formerly known as Correctional Medical Services.

Officials say the state will pay $224.7 million to Corizon over the next three years.

Sen. Arthur Orr's staff released a statement Thursday saying the contract would save $23.8 million over the next three years. Alabama lawmakers had sought significant reductions in the cost of health care costs for the state's 25,000 inmates.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.