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Health Services At County Jails Could Get Big Boost Under Proposed Bill

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Unlike state and federal prisons, local and county jails don’t qualify as a National Health Service Corps site. NHSC sites are eligible for funding that allows them to attract top health care talent with loan forgiveness programs — typically $50,000 for a two-year commitment.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced a bill Wednesday that would expand NHSC to include county and municipal jails.

“Even if someone is incarcerated, they are still entitled to necessary medical care,” Durbin said in a statement. “Improving local jails’ ability to recruit skilled, committed health care professionals and expand their inmates’ access to behavioral health services and other health care will help reduce recidivism and improve public safety. State and federal prisons are already included in this program for these very reasons. It is only logical to include county and municipal correctional facilities as well.”

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