THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 17, 1994                    TAG: 9406150177 
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER                     PAGE: 07    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940617                                 LENGTH: Short 

LAW ALLOWS JAILS TO CHARGE INMATES FOR MEDICAL CARE

``I realized that for many years we had assumed all inmates were indigent and thus unable to help with their medical costs,'' Chesapeake Sheriff John Newhart said. ``Well, not all of them are poor, and many can help reimburse the taxpayer for some of their medical care.''

{REST} Newhart found out about the co-payment requirement while attending a national jail conference last year and asked local lawmakers to introduce similar legislation into the Virginia General Assembly, said Maj. David C. Newby of the sheriff's department.

The legislation was passed in the spring and will go into effect July 1. This city's jail will take advantage of the new law soon after that date.

Officials say the law is needed to reduce the number of inmates' frivolous trips to the doctor.

``If inmates know the money comes out of their pockets, they will think twice before faking illnesses,'' Newhart said.

It was unclear how much money the Chesapeake jail has lost to false claims by inmates. But Newby said medical claims dropped 70 percent in other states that have required a co-payment.

Inmates who can't afford a co-payment will still get treatment, Newby said. Their ability to pay will be decided by an administrative committee at the jail.

``We don't deny coverage, and we don't deny service,'' he said. ``But if you can pay, you will pay that co-payment. If he has money to buy candies . . . he can help pay for his medical care.''

by CNB