Texas governor temporarily suspends state inmate healthcare fees for COVID-19
Inmate fees for health care services related to the COVID-19 virus will be temporarily suspended, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Friday.
Incarcerated Texans housed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities are never denied access to healthcare due to their inability to pay, but this waiver will encourage timely reporting of coronavirus symptoms so that offenders are given the treatment they need, Abbott said.
“As we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we are committed to protecting the health of individuals in state custody and the dedicated state employees working at TDCJ facilities,” Abbott said. “Waiving health care fees for offenders housed in TDCJ facilities will ensure that inmates experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 receive immediate medical attention. This suspension will protect the health of both inmates and TDCJ staff, and is a crucial tool in our efforts to mitigate any potential spread of COVID-19 in closely confined populations.”
Facilities under this temporary suspension include the Hutchins state jail in Dallas.
