Unions Get Setback In Prison Health Care Lawsuit

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A public employee union is rethinking its strategy following a judge's refusal to reopen a lawsuit challenging Florida's plan to privatize prison health care.

A spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said on Thursday it not yet decided what to do.

AFSME and the Florida Nurses Association had challenged a budget provision calling for the privatization. The nursing group did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll refused the rule last month because the budget provision expired July 1.

The Department of Corrections, meanwhile, is proceeding with the privatization, contending it has other legal authority to outsource health services.

Carroll on Monday rejected the plaintiffs' motion to rehear the case in response to the department's new plan.

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