Alva Review-Courier -

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Despite a recent settlement of a Medicaid lawsuit involving people with hepatitis C, hundreds of the state's prison inmates will wait another year for the expensive treatment.

Kansas News Service reports state prison officials say more than 700 inmates currently have hepatitis C, which is contagious, damages the liver and in some cases can be fatal. About half will receive treatment this year, starting with those who have liver cirrhosis from the virus.

Civil rights advocates say the delay in treatment could constitute cruel and unusual punishment because inmates have the r...