Requires state and county incarcerated individuals to make medical co-payments

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Gallahan

Requires state and county incarcerated individuals to pay medical co-pays for certain services.

REFERRED TO CORRECTION

Overview

Bill A 4529, introduced on February 4, 2025, and sponsored by Assembly member Jeff Gallahan (primary), would require state and county incarcerated individuals to make medical co-payments. The bill is currently “REFERRED TO CORRECTION,” indicating it has been sent to the Assembly Committee on Correction for consideration. A companion and related bills exist in prior sessions (e.g., S 3447).

Purpose and intent

The stated intent, based on the title, is to require incarcerated individuals in state and county facilities to pay medical co-payments for medical services received.

The underlying policy rationale (as commonly framed in similar measures) is to offset the cost of medical care, encourage prudent use of medical services, and introduce a cost-sharing mechanism in correctional health programs. The bill’s text would provide the authoritative description of aims, exemptions, and implementation details.

Key provisions (as available)

Establishment of a medical co-payment requirement for incarcerated individuals in state and county correctional settings.

Provisions in the bill would specify:

The amount of the co-pay (if set in the bill)
Which medical services are subject to co-pays (e.g., routine visits, non-emergency services, tests)
Any exemptions (e.g., emergency care, pregnancy-related care, minors, disabilities, or indigence)
How collected funds are processed (e.g., deposited into a state or local fund)
Operational enforcement/collection mechanisms and administrative responsibilities

The exact definitions, eligibility criteria, fees, and exceptions would be contained in the bill’s text.

Note: The specific dollar amounts, service categories, exemptions, and administration details are not provided in the information available here. The full bill language will define these elements.

Affected parties

Incarcerated individuals in state and county correctional facilities.

State Department of Corrections and local (county) correctional systems responsible for medical services.

Facility administrators and correctional health program managers.

Taxpayers and local governments that bear correctional health costs, potentially offset by collected co-pays.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 4, 2025.

Status: Referred to Correction (Committee).

Referred to Corrections again on the same date in the provided record, indicating standard committee referral practice.

Next steps: If advanced, the bill would undergo committee hearings, possible amendments, and votes in the Assembly; if passed, it would move to the Senate or be reconciled with companion/Senate measures. A companion bill exists (S 3447) for parallel consideration.

Potential impact and considerations

Fiscal impact: Potential reduction in state/county healthcare costs offset by revenue from co-pays; implementation costs for monitoring and collection.

Access to care: Co-pays could affect utilization of medical services by incarcerated individuals, with potential equity and access considerations.

Administration: Requires program design, tracking, and clear exemption rules to minimize disparities and ensure compliance.

For a complete understanding, review the bill’s full text and any fiscal notes released by the sponsor or the committee.

Bill