The department addressed all of OPPAGA's recommendations and potential policy options.

• The department is implementing a formal health care consolidation plan to contain inmate health care costs. Consolidation efforts will be completed January 1, 2000. Initial consolidation efforts have resulted in a cost avoidance of $4 million.
• The department and the Correctional Medical Authority disagree as to whether their inmate health care reviews are duplicative. OPPAGA agrees that there is some duplication, but this is necessary to ensure the department continues to delivery adequate inmate health care.
• The department delivered a report to the Legislature outlining several options to recover the cost of medications from inmates. OPPAGA does not recommend pursuing these options.