I should say, ‘All we got for Christmas,’ because it was actually for every TDCJ prisoner.  The new medical and dental copay is now $13.55 per visit.  That is an enormous savings for us, actually manageable.  Many prisoners who couldn’t, will now seek treatment.

The copay used to be $100 and forced prisoners to choose between medical care and having money to purchase necessities.  A prisoner that received $30 a month would have to pay that entire $30 towards the $100 the day of a doctor visit, and every month thereafter, TDCJ would take half of the prisoner’s monthly $30 until the $100 copay was paid off. This would leave the prisoner $15 towards his monthly necessities. Consider this list of supplies:

1 x Colgate toothpaste $2.75

1 x deodorant $2.50

15 x small bars Dial soap $3.00

1 x writing paper $2.00

10 x postage stamps $5.50

20 x envelopes $.60

Total is $16.35 – too much!!  The prisoner would be forced to remove some vital item(s) to get the list under $15.00, and forget about food to supplement the meager TDCJ meals.  No coffee.  No Christmas cards for loved ones.  All because they had to pay a $100 copay after they caught the flu or got bit by a spider (which happens with disturbing frequency).

A $13.55 copay!   A gift from the Texas legislature, but really from the public and the friends and families of prisoners. Those are the ones that pressured the legislature.  So, thank you all for your effort. The next time I need medical care I can get it without ruining any chance I have of keeping my head above water. 

Merry Christmas!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jeremy Robinson is author of The Monster Factory, which he is currently revising. Mr. Robinson lives in a Texas prison and can be contacted at:
Jeremy Robinson #1313930
Polunsky Unit
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351