Wisconsin Prisons Quietly Reinstate Copays For Those With COVID-19 Symptoms
State has one of the highest prisoner copays in nation. DOC says it would suspend copays for outbreaks.
Segdrick Farley holds a photo of his brother, Alvin L. Simmons, who died in March 2021 of a COVID-19-related illness while incarcerated. Angela Major/WPR
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is no longer suspending medical copays for incarcerated people suffering from COVID-19 or other respiratory symptoms, eliminating a benefit adopted after the onset of the pandemic.
In June 2022, a WPR report based on interviews with a half dozen formerly incarcerated people outlined the challenges of affording $7.50 copays on prison wages that might pay nickels or dimes per hour. Some people had to choose between seeking medical care or paying other expenses, such as toiletries, phone calls or legal documents.
Wisconsin’s suspension of medical copays for COVID-19 started in 2020. In May 2022, a state Department of Corrections official told WPR the suspension remained in place. However, agency officials now say the suspension ended on March 7, 2022, or about two months earlier than previously reported.
“It sounds likely there was just some miscommunication on our end,” department spokesperson Kevin Hoffman said.
Hoffman said if a facility experiences a COVID-19 outbreak, the department would again suspend medical copays and notify people in that facility’s care.
Wisconsin prisons quietly ended suspension of copays for COVID-19 symptoms was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real, independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits.
Inhumane policy is a Human Rights issue. Wisconsin DOC continues to be the worst prison system.
COVID risk is the reason Correction Officer jobs aren’t filled. Wages recently raised to $30 hour.