City Passes Ordinance Requiring People in Custody to Repay Medical Expenses

WF Gazette Photo

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (West Frankfort Gazette staff report. Please Click to read the full story. Here is an excerpt) The City of West Frankfort approved an ordinance closing an old loophole which allowed people in police custody or confinement to skip out on medical and transportation costs. An ordinance was approved requiring reimbursement to the city by persons in custody, confinement or incarceration for unpaid medical treatment and transportation expenses. Police and Fire Commissioner Jerry Harkins expressed that this was something that has been a long time coming. Mayor Tom Jordan said of the ordinance,”This just closes a loophole where they can avoid paying us if they’re incarcerated or in custody.” Fire Chief Jody Allen added, “When we transport them to the hospital, we’re not getting paid, so this will allow us to bill those patients through their insurance.”