Oklahoma County To Pay $5.5 Million For Inmate Medical Care

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A judge has approved a deal that will require Oklahoma County to pay $5.5 million in taxpayer funds to cover inmate medical care over the last five years.

The payment agreement approved yesterday will cover treatment costs for more than 1,300 inmates since February 2003, including 87 whose tabs exceeded $20,000 each.

The price tag for medical treatment for one inmate topped $610,000.

The final settlement will add $4.20 a year in property taxes to a $100,000 home with a homestead exemption, officials said.

OU Medical Center had been seeking more than $7 million in unpaid medical bills that have accumulated since February 2003.

Sheriff John Whetsel had balked at paying the bills of inmates who had pre-existing medical conditions.