Boise (670 KBOI) – The Idaho Department of Correction says about a quarter of the state’s prisoners — more than 2,500 — have Hepatitis C.
The Joint Finance and Administration Committee, or JFAC, approved an emergency request from Correction of $3 million dollars to treat the inmates…or about $1,200 dollars per patient.
According to the Idaho Statesman, a medicine has recently been approved that will actually cure Hep C, but its expensive — as much as $6,200 per patient.
JFAC also approved a half million dollars to add 99 more beds at work centers across the state, including Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center and the St. Anthony Work Camp.
