Latest News On Prison Health Care

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Nurse’s Faith Led Her To Care For Prisoners At A New Jersey Jail

KFF Health News Original

Daisy Doronila had a different perspective than most who worked at the Hudson County Correctional Facility, a New Jersey lockup 11 miles from Manhattan. It was a place where the veteran nurse could put her Catholic faith into action, showing kindness to marginalized people.

Inspectores pintan color de rosa a los centros de detención, pero no las auditorías

KFF Health News Original

Una revisión realizada por Kaiser Health News de miles de páginas de informes de inspecciones realizadas entre 2007 y 2019 revela patrones inquietantes en las auditorías de Nakamoto Group.

Inspector Paints A Rosy Picture Of Migrant Detention Centers — In Contrast To Audits

KFF Health News Original

A KHN review of dozens of inspection reports filed over the past year by the Nakamoto Group reveals disturbing patterns about the company’s audits, including a general willingness to accept accounts of the facilities that the company is paid to scrutinize, and to discount detainees’ complaints.

Use Of Psychiatric Drugs Soars In California Jails

KFF Health News Original

A combination of factors has led to an “astronomical” increase in mentally ill inmates, followed by increased efforts to identify those who need prescriptions. Some say the meds are underprescribed; others, that they are given inappropriately, without the benefit of comprehensive treatment.

Health Care Revamped At L.A. County Jails

KFF Health News Original

The effort, overseen by the county’s health services department, aims to improve care for a population with high rates of chronic disease, mental illness and drug addiction.

Helping Ex-Inmates Stay Out Of The ER Brings Multiple Benefits

KFF Health News Original

Each year, millions of Americans leave jail and prison. When they do, they’re likely to have a hard time managing their health. Some clinics are trying to provide ex-inmates with better, cheaper care.

‘A Huge Improvement’: Study Finds Inmates Benefit From Much Shorter TB Treatment

KFF Health News Original

A three-month drug regimen to treat latent TB in a California jail system was just as effective as the standard nine-month approach — and the patients were far more likely to finish treatment.

Health Law Expanded Coverage For Ex-Inmates, But Gaps Remain

KFF Health News Original

The health law’s Medicaid expansion and its requirement that employer medical plans cover dependents up to age 26 had a significant impact on coverage for this population. The portion of young adult ex-inmates without insurance fell from 40 percent to 32 percent.

Thousands Leave Maryland Prisons With Risky Health Problems But No Coverage

KFF Health News Original

Maryland’s prisons and jails release thousands of inmates each year without helping them enroll in Medicaid, jeopardizing their health and putting communities at greater risk.

Are States Obligated To Provide Expensive Hepatitis C Drugs?

KFF Health News Original

New hepatitis C drugs boast cure rates of at least 95 percent. But states are restricting their use for Medicaid patients and prisoners because the cost is so high.

Mental Health Courts Are Popular But Effectiveness Is Still Unproven

KFF Health News Original

The courts are designed as an alternative for people with mental health issues facing legal charges as a way to get help through community services outside of jail.