STATE, COUNTIES SHOULD SHARE MEDICAL COSTS

Another word of caution to Missouri legislators: The state needs to find a way to reimburse counties for state prisoners housed in county jails. But it also might want to look at safeguards against runaway expenses.

Just as Cape Girardeau County has complained about medical expenses incurred for its own prisoners housed outside the county, the state should be concerned that unlimited reimbursement to counties for state prisoners could get out of hand.

One way to control the costs would be for the state to provide partial reimbursement, leaving counties to pay the rest. This would keep make most counties hold down costs for prisoner medical care, just as they do now with no state reimbursement.

While it's at it, the legislature also might require host counties to pay a portion of medical expenses for out-of-county prisoners as a method of encouraging financial accountability and responsibility.