HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS COGNIZANT OF CHARGES

JACKSON -- Doctors and pharmacists who serve Cape Girardeau County Jail inmates say they must give quality treatment to inmates the same as they do anyone else.

Medical expenses for county inmates recently surpassed the budgeted $40,000 with nearly two months remaining in the year.

The medical-care providers who accept county inmates say they work to provide quality care while being mindful of county taxpayers, who must foot the bill.

A spokesman for Dr. Louis H. Rohfls' office in Jackson said the dentist avoids extensive work on county inmates. She said relieving pain, which typically means removing teeth, is mostly what he does.

"There is no extensive bridge work or crowns or anything like that," she said.

Gene Brockett of Jones Drug Store in Jackson said he simply follows doctors' orders when he fills a prescription. He said the service he provides to county inmates isn't any different than that he gives other customers.

"But we try to use common sense," he said. "We might give shorter amounts and see what happens before giving too much. Also, if they are only going to be in jail another seven days or so, why give them a whole month's worth?"

The Jackson Family Clinic tries to get county inmates in and out "as economically as possible," said Dr. Kennett Asher. He said most of the inmate complaints are minor, but they are treated as any other patient.

"They have rights, and we treat them as consumers," he said, "But we want to check them and get them out as cheaply and expediently as possible."