A Rude Awakening
THE ASKEW HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN AMERICA'S PRISONS
Prison healthcare in the United States is damaged. Habitual underfunding, low wages for doctors, outsourcing of care, and public disinterest combined are all contributing to a healthcare crisis in America's prison systems. However, this is sadly just skimming the surface of more underlying problems that remain unspoken.
State Prisons Fail To Offer Cure To 144,000 Inmates With Deadly Hepatitis C
JULY 9, 2018
Fourty-nine states reveal an estimated 144,000 inmates with Hepatitis C, a curable but fatal liver disease if left untreated, are unable to get the expensive drug they need to cure it because of high prices. The drugs needed for treatment can cost up to $90,000. However, many advocates are saying this inability violates a Supreme Court ruling from 1976 that determined an inmate’s medical care is a constitutional right.
Another Lawsuit Filed over Prison Health Care, More Coming, Lawyer Says
NOVEMBER 14, 2018
A lawsuit stating negligence and insufficient medical care in the state has been filed against the state Department of Correction. Lawyers Kenneth J. Krayeske and DeVaughn L. Ward, are representing former state inmate William Bennett. The lawsuit claims that a mis-diagnosis and lack of timely treatment greatly contributed to Bennett’s death back in November at the sheer age of 46.
Research Concludes Inmates Lack Adequate Access To Timely Health Care Behind Bars In South Florida
DECEMBER 5, 2018
Under federal law, prisons and jails are required to provide medical care to those incarcerated. However, a medical journal recently conducted a study held in South Florida and discovered that there are too many inmates suffering and dying because they are lacking "adequate access to timely care." This strips these people of their given human rights. So then why is it happening?
Hoo-sier Healthcare, Prisoner?
According to the Indiana Department of Correction, a myriad of services are provided on-site in both Adult and Juvenile facilities; basically anything you would ever need is offered - or so it seems. On their official website, they state they provide disease management for acute and chronic illnesses which follows USPTF national standards and Federal Bureau of Prisons Guidelines. However, care for these illnesses is outsourced through a medical vendor and is only measured on a quarterly basis by the Chief Medical Officer, the Director of Health Care Services, and four Quality Assurance Managers. This may seem like plenty of reviewers, but really the best person to ask to see if they're getting good healthcare is the prisoner themselves. Why aren't they doing this?
Each prison facility has access to nursing care and physician coverage, but only the level 2, 3, and 4 facilities have 24-hour nursing coverage. At theses institutions, medical, dental, mental health, and addiction recovery nurses are on-site. And if there is any sort of medical emergency there are five male hospitals and two women's hospitals in the entire state of Indiana for inmates. One of the two women's hospitals is the only location able to help expectant mothers.
Health services offered by the Indiana Department of Correction facilities are:
Medical Care,
Infirmary Care,
Hospice Care,
Optometry,
Dental,
Auditory,
Physical Therapy,
Laboratory Services,
Radiology Services,
Mental Health Care (Inpatient and Outpatient), and
Addiction Recovery Services.
Gipson, Monica, et al. “Health Services.” Indiana Department of Correction, www.in.gov/idoc/3501.htm.
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