LANSING (WKZO) -- The State of Michigan is accepting bids from private organizations for the healthcare of state inmates.

The plan would cover all physical and mental care for the inmate population in the state which stands at 43-thousand prisoners.  If the idea is approved, some 13-hundred state workers will be affected by the change.

The state currently spends over two-billion dollars annually to run the prison system.  The bids are due by August 29th.