GARNETT — Anderson County inmates who need medical treatment with prescription or over-the-counter drugs could soon have to reimburse the county for the cost of those medications. The Anderson County Review reported that Sheriff Vern Valentine recently asked county commissioners for the authority to charge the costs of medications against jail inmates. He said many other jails have similar policies, and it would help the jail recoup some of the considerable health care expenses of inmates. The new policy might deter some inmates from using the county as a source of free health care, he said. The jail submits health care claims to the inmates’ health insurance companies, if the inmates have coverage. But many inmates do not have health insurance and the county is stuck with the bill.
Monday, Sept. 9, 3 p.m.
