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| Budget Lacks Hepatitis C Funds for Inmates |
| By Lansing State Journal |
| Published: 10/03/2005 |
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Money to test and treat Michigan prisoners for hepatitis C has been eliminated in the state's new budget, effectively killing a plan to attack the potentially fatal and communicable disease festering inside the state's 42 prisons. The 2005-06 budget, which was approved by lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm last week and took effect Saturday, cut $1 million from the corrections department that was set aside for a new hepatitis C program. The program would have surveyed incoming inmates and tested those most at risk for harboring the blood-borne virus, as is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That would have meant more prisoners would have been treated, lowering the risk that they would leave prison unaware they carry the virus and infect others. Department officials don't know exactly how many prisoners are infected. A 2003 Lansing State Journal investigative report found that up to 18,000 of Michigan's 48,000 prisoners are believed to harbor the virus. About 55 were being treated. |
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