Minnesota Legislature
House passes bill to eliminate inmate mental health co-payment
Current Department of Corrections’ practice could be codified in state statute.
Under HF3193/SF2426*, sponsored by Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center) and Sen. Barb Goodwin (DFL-Columbia Heights), inmates would not statutorily be required to pay a co-payment when they seek mental health treatment.
The bill was passed 130-0 by the House Wednesday. Passed 61-0 by the Senate May 2, it now goes to the governor.
In addition to mental health treatment, the department does not charge co-payments for follow-up visits, chronic care, or insulin and high-blood pressure medication. The department does not reject services if an inmate cannot cover the current $5 co-pay, an amount increased by the 2011 Legislature from $3.
Cornish said the amount of money the department would lose with the change is “inconsequential.”
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