Temporarily resolving a deadlock over the University of Texas Medical Branch continuing to provide prison health care, officials announced Thursday that a deal has been reached to extend the Galveston medical school's involvement. For that, the university will get an additional $45 million to cover expected losses over the next year. UTMB and prison officials said that as part of the deal, negotiations will begin to possibly transition UTMB out of its nearly 18-year role as the primary medical provider for about two-thirds of Texas' 156,000 prisoners.
