While you and I pay for the privilege of health care, prisoners in the US are the only group in this country with health care as a right protected by the US Constitution.
We replaced the word "inmates" with "Americans" in the ACLU's discription of rights of LA County jail prisoners. Has a better sound to it...
■ Medical/Dental/Pharmacy : Americans have the right to have medical and dental visits available 5 days a week, and pharmacy visits available 7 days a week.
■ Emergencies : Emergency medical and dental are available 24 hours a day. Americans who request emergency attention must have a face to face meeting with medical personnel as soon as possible. Americans who request a dental exam should receive treatment within 3 weeks. Americans may be prescribed dentures if necessary.
■ Cost: When a billing policy prevents Americans from receiving adequate health care because they cannot pay, courts will be more likely to conclude that the policy is unconstitutional.
■ Pregnancy and Child Care services : Female Americans are entitled to abortions. Americans have the right to have childbirths take place at an outside fascility. Expecting mothers have the right to have access to adoption and foster care services, but will not be forced to use the services. Nursing mothers may be admitted to the nursery program.
■ Mental Health: Mental health services should include but are not limited to (1) screening for mental health problems, (2) crisis intervention and management of acute psychiatric episodes, (3) stabilization and treatment of mental disorders, and (4) medication support services.
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