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Clallam County jail inmates in need of medical treatment while in custody will have to pay for part of their own medical bills after July 1.
County commissioners adopted new rules Tuesday requiring all inmates to pay a $10 co-payment for sick call, prescription medication and specialist fees costing less than $2,000.
The state Department of Social and Health Services pays for inmate medical emergencies that cost more than $2,000 to treat, but won’t pay for treatment costing less, a county health department official said Wednesday.
Sheriff’s and county Department of Health officials are hoping the move will reduce spending and curb frivolous medical calls.
This entire report appears in today’s Clallam County edition of the Peninsula Daily News, on sale throughout the county. Or click onto “Subscribe” to order your copy via U.S. mail.