04/29/1995 02:30 PM Senate JUD

           HB 219 PAROLE OF TERMINALLY ILL PRISONERS                          
                                                                              
 Denny Dewitt, legislative aide to Representative Mulder, sponsor of           
 HB 219, gave the following testimony.  HB 219 allows a special                
 medical parole for inmates who are either quadripalegics or                   
 bedridden with a terminal condition.  It also allows the Department           
 of Corrections to establish a billing mechanism for medical                   
 services within prisons to help control medical services, similar             
 to a deductible in a traditional health insurance policy.  It will            
 allow the department to place itself secondary to other kinds of              
 coverages that might be available for prisoners.  This provision is           
 particularly important in "soft bed" situations where an individual           
 might be working and have access to health insurance, or are                  
 incarcerated for misdemeanors and maintain their health insurance             
 during that time period.                                                      
                                                                               
 Number 469                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR noted that during testimony in a House committee, it           
 was disclosed that over $340,000 was spent on a prisoner who was              
 terminally ill with AIDS in the last few months of that prisoner's            
 life.  MR. DEWITT replied the amount was $540,000.                            
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR asked if HB 219 would help alleviate the state from            
 the liability of providing for medical treatment for terminally ill           
 prisoners.  MR. DEWITT explained the bill will put prisoners on               
 special medical parole, which will enable them to become eligible             
 for medicaid.  The quality of care will improve for these                     
 individuals in settings other than prisons, since prisons are not             
 designed to provide that type of care.                                        
                                                                               
 Number 489                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR noted there is a zero fiscal note.  MR. DEWITT                 
 predicted the bill will save money over the long term.