Governor Robert Bentley joined state health care officials Thursday to announce major changes to Alabama's Medicaid program. Bentley says several private organizations have been certified to provide health care services to Medicaid beneficiaries. Regional Care Organizations will transition out of a volume-based fee-for-service model to a payment system that awards the delivery of quality services. State Health Officer, Dr. Don Williamson, says the transition will offer more patient flexibility. Dr. Williamson says he expects the Medicaid transformation process to be completed next year.
Corrections Officer Arrested
A state corrections officer was arrested Tuesday morning after officers discovered him passed out in his car with half a pound of Marijuana. Authorities in Wetumpka believe 28-year-old Michael Anderson of Prattville had planned to distribute the illegal drugs inside the prison where he worked. Officers found Anderson passed out in his car outside a fast food restaurant. He had worked at the Staton Prison in Elmore County since March 2010.
No Release
Former Alabama Governor Don Siegleman has lost his bid to be released from prison while he appeals his 2006 bribery conviction. Federal Judge Clay Land of Georgia said the ex-governor raised significant issues that deserve serious consideration, but the judge believes an appeals court in Atlanta is unlikely to grant Siegelman a new trial or reduce his sentence. The 68-year-old Siegelman has been serving a six and half year prison term at a prison camp at Louisiana. Attorneys representing Siegelman have argued that his 2006 trial was tainted by involvement of a prosecutor with ties to GOP politics.