Governor Signs Legislation To Move Medically Frail Inmates

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medfrailbill_griffin_0519

Legislation designed to allow for some medically frail inmates in Michigan to be moved out of prisons and into medical facilities has been signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan told WSJM News earlier this year the plan is intended to reduce prison costs by having Medicaid pay for the care of those who are severely ill.

“Right now, there’s isn’t a mechanism to take care of them outside the system,” Griffin said.

Griffin said her bill only applies to non-violent inmates. There are also penalties worked in for those who abuse the system. The plan was pushed in the previous legislature by former state Senator John Proos, but Griffin says it just didn’t have enough time to get approval. She tells us nearly one in four inmates is 50 or older with the average age continuing to rise, while healthcare takes up 15% of the prison system’s budget. She attended a bill signing ceremony with Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday.