*The CDC reports that 48% of adult ER patients choose to go to emergency services, knowing that they are not sick enough to be admitted, because their doctor’s offices are closed. Even more end up at the ER because they wait to take care of their health problems until the problem worsens.
For a number of formerly incarcerated individuals, the ER seems like the only logical place to go in a time of medical distress.
While behind bars, approximately 40% of inmates are diagnosed with a chronic illness. This covers anything from asthma to high blood pressure, depression, and even cancer. In jail, inmates have access to the medical care they need. Some jails, especially the big ones and maximum security prisons, have entire medical wings to treat the inmates. There, they have their medications handed to them by a nurse, and are also guaranteed a place to sleep and food to eat.
But since many of these inmates are homeless or do not have a permanent address when they get out, they are unable to apply for health insurance or receive any documents. For most, the best medical attention and care they can afford to receive is when they are behind bars.
“When they come home from prison, they have to learn to use the pharmacy, learn to get a refill, learn to make their appointments…” lists Dr. Emily Wang, a primary care doctor with the Yale University School of Medicine. “…On top of trying to get housing, get employed, [and] figure out where to get food for the day.”
Having health insurance isn’t a cure-all, however. There are very few systems in place that allow formerly incarcerated people to learn how to handle their health once they’ve been released. Ex-inmates are often unaware how the health system works and avoid seeking care on their own.
Normally preventable illnesses and conditions often go untreated once a person is released from prison, and the only care provided is prompted by a trip to the emergency room.
Since these conditions are significantly worse, they are much more expensive to treat, and these costs are often picked up by hospitals and taxpayer dollars.
Get the rest of this story at EURThisNThat.com.
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