John Graham stands in front of the Marion County Courthouse in this file photo.JASPER, Tenn. – Marion County commissioners want to stop any abuse by inmates of the free medical care they can get at the county jail.
The board has voted unanimously to require a $20 copayment for each visit to the jail physician.
Commission Chairman Les Price said last week that the idea was something the board has been considering as officials looked more closely at the jail’s medical expenses when hiring its new medical director.
The county paid more than $54,000 in medical expenses at the facility during the last fiscal year, Marion County Mayor John Graham said.
Rusty Adcock, who was awarded the contract as the jail’s medical director last week, said the fee is a way to keep inmates from abusing medical care.