Should prisoners pay for health care?

Should prisoners pay for health care?

Minnesota House GOP proposes public safety trims

State House Republicans are proposing that Minnesota prisoners be forced to come up with a $5 co-pay for every visit they make to a health care provider.

By: Associated Press report, Associated Press, Published March 22, 2011, 02:20 PM

ST. PAUL — State House Republicans are proposing that Minnesota prisoners be forced to come up with a $5 co-pay for every visit they make to a health-care provider.

It's one part of the House GOP's proposed two-year budget for public safety and corrections. The Republican plan proposes spending about $1 billion on corrections and other public safety programs, about $55 million less than what Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed.

Republicans propose a $12 million cut to programs for crime victims and battered women. Another cost-saving measure in the bill would require that offenders with 60 days or less in their sentences serve that time in a county jail or workhouse.

Republicans also propose slashing more than half the budget of the state Department of Human Rights.

Comment: I could support this if prisoners worked a full week and got paid at least the NMW.