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| New Ordinance Releases Parish From Paying Prisoners Medical Bills |
| By Tyana Williams, wafb.com |
| Published: 01/29/2010 |
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LIVINGSTON, LA (WAFB) - Some Livingston inmates could face new charges. That is if they want health care. The parish president signed a new ordinance that releases the parish from paying for prisoners medical bills. Inside the walls of Livingston's $20,000,000 detention center, there are more than 500 prisoners. Prisoners the parish pays for. "Feeding them three meals a day, they're sitting in heating and air. I mean, they got it better than some people in the parish do," says Livingston Parish President Mike Grimmer. He says the taxpayers pick up the tab for keeping the accused comfortable. That includes medical services. Last year prisoners racked up a $370,000 bill. Some of that, Grimmer says is from inmates who asked to see the doctor, but once it was exam time they said they were fine. Grimmer says inmates use the doctor excuse as a way to visit with other inmates. The parish polled the people. 92% said it's time to tighten the purse strings. "Ambulance rides $1,200. Get there do all these tests, send us a bill for $2,000 dollars. That's all on one inmate. This ordinance says you're going to pay it, as an inmate," says Grimmer. Livingston's new ordinance now states payments will come from an inmate's own account. That includes total costs for medical visits, dental, prescription medication, and ambulance calls. A visit to the nurse at the jail costs $10. Asking for over-the-counter medication is 50 cents per dose. The parish says they're already seeing the savings. On Tuesday, there were 43 inmates who wanted to see the doctor. But once they were told they have to pay, only 18 of them still wanted to go. As far as the officials are concerned, saving the taxpayers makes "cents". Officials say four other parishes have called asking for a copy of the inmate payment policy. Read More. |
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