OLYMPIA – Most Washington residents are able to shop around for health insurance that fits their family’s circumstances and wallets. This is not the case incarcerated individuals, and the communities charged with providing their care.
Sponsored by Representative Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, House Bill 1743 will improve access to quality healthcare for those in jail and bring down costs for cities and counties.
This bill creates opportunities for community-based health care providers to provide healthcare inside jails, instead of relying solely on large third-party providers. It will do this by providing a state funded medical malpractice claim reimbursement program for these organizations, making them more attractive options as contractors for correctional facilities.
“Not only will this help cities and counties all over the state save money by providing more health care options for our justice-involved community members, allowing community-based health care providers to provide these services will help reduce recidivism,” Simmons said. “Providing community-based quality health care inside jails will help establish a continuum of care for those who will need this support when they leave the system.”
More than 90 percent of incarcerated folks will eventually return home to their communities. Access to readily available and quality healthcare is critical to support successful reintegration.
Public testimony is being heard on HB 1743 by the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee at 8 a.m. on Feb. 12 and can be viewed here on TVW.