Associated Press
AZTEC, N.M. — A San Juan County jail is doing away with its nearly 20-year-old practice of charging inmates co-pays for medical services, partially in an effort to avoid future lawsuits.
The Daily Times reports jail administrator Tom Havel told county commissioners before the unanimous vote Tuesday that co-pays were not cost effective and placed an undue burden on jail staff.
Families of three inmates who died at the county Adult Detention Center earlier this year filed lawsuits against the department and its insurers. Two of the inmates had filed formal grievances about the jail’s medical fees.
Commissioner Jack Fortner said the county did not want to discourage inmates from seeking medical services, nor did it want to invite further lawsuits.
Fees ranged from $5 to $20. About half went uncollected annually.