Senator Gallivan Announces Passage of Bill to Give Counties Flexibility in Inmate Health Care

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces the Senate has passed a bill that would allow county jails to contract with medical professional corporations to provide inmate health care services.  The legislation (S.5409A), sponsored by Gallivan, would amend the correction law and give counties flexibility when it comes to medical care for inmates of a county jail.      

“Current law requires each county to appoint a reputable physician to provide health care services to the county jail, but many counties, especially those in rural areas, have found it difficult to identify and recruit a single person to serve as a jail doctor,” Gallivan said.  “We can reduce the burden on counties by updating the law and allowing them to contract with medical  partnerships and corporations which are authorized to practice in New York State.”

The existing law dates back to 1929 and has not been updated since.  Senator Gallivan’s bill recognizes that the health care delivery system has evolved and expanded greatly over the years and state law must be amended to account for the changes.  The legislation would allow individual counties to contract with a professional partnership, a professional service corporation, a professional service limited liability company or a registered limited liability company to provide health services to county inmates.   

The bill passed both the Senate and the Assembly and will be sent to the governor for consideration.

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