No more healthcare co-pay for Michigan prisoners? Don’t hold your breath!

Bridge Michigan recently published a fine report on Michigan’s shameful practice of charging state prisoners for visiting the health clinic. At first glance one might think there’s still hope of eliminating that dumb co-pay idea. But as you read on it becomes apparent that hope for any change is grim. It ain’t gonna happen, and that’s an outrage! 

FYI, Michigan prisoners pay a $5 copay for most medical visits. 

5 bucks doesn’t seem like much. Keep in mind, however, that these men and women can earn as little as 74 cents per day in their prison jobs (wages haven’t gone up in decades!). Michigan is one of only 16 states where the co-pay for health care costs is more than the average weekly wage for inmates. 

One of the arguments in favor of co-pay is that it not only discourages frivolous visits to the doctor’s office, but that it makes money for the state. I can’t prove this, but I insist that, to the contrary, this stupid practice costs the state money. Because many incarcerated men and women are so poor, they avoid going to healthcare until their situation is critical. You don’t have to be a professional budget analyst to figure out that the cost of treating a seriously ill prisoner is higher. Besides that, who knows how much of this ailment has been spread to others due to lack of treatment? Again, more expense. 

State Senator Rosemary Bayer, who co-sponsored the legislation, agrees. Removing the co-pay, she contends, could be the difference between the state covering costs for a quick dental appointment or a major emergency tooth extraction and follow-up repair work. Once it becomes an emergency, says Senator Bayer, “It’s really, really expensive!” 

HFP is not alone in opposing this co-pay business. I think it’s fair to say that we join with most if not all other major prisoner advocacy agencies in the state seeking elimination of the co-pay. And that just shows to go-yah how little clout we have. 

Politics reigns, boys and girls…just plain politics! 

Bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this year in the state senate, which has a Democratic-majority, would do away with the co-pays. It’s not hard to predict what’s going to happen, though. Never mind that, as Michigan prison population ages, inmates’ health care needs are projected to increase. Never mind that these men and women, 90% of whom will get out someday, deserve humane treatment regardless of their financial status. It’s Republican vs. Democrat here in Pure Michigan. You can bet that a deadlock between the Senate and Republican-led House over budget negotiations will complicate any proposed reforms. 

Contrary to the prevailing notion that good governance is bad politics, in reality good governance is good politics. A government should work keeping in mind the welfare of future generations, not the next election. Narendra Modi

 

 

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