The difference between life-in-prison and a death sentence is pretty minimal, given the length of time it takes in the US to get through the death row process. Decades, typically. Many are never actually executed. In either case, you are expected to die in a jail cell after many, many years of incarceration.

The difference between those two and a non-imprisoned life is... significant.

But not as bad of a sentence, since you're not in prison.

In prison the state pays for his health care.