[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             PUBLIC HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TED STRICKLAND

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2003

  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support 
legislation I am introducing today that will improve the public health 
of communities throughout America, make worksites safer for thousands 
of corrections officers and staff, and help to improve the health of 
inmates in correctional facilities.
  Every year, more than 11 million people are released from prisons and 
jails across America, growing numbers of which suffer 
disproportionately from mental illness, substance abuse, and 
communicable diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
infectious diseases are more prevalent among correctional inmates than 
the general population. For AIDS, the prevalence among inmates is 5 
times that of the general population. Tuberculosis infection rates are 
substantially higher among inmates, with estimates from 4 to 17 times 
higher. And the prevalence of hepatitis C among inmates is 9 to 10 
times higher than that of the general population.
  The health care needs of inmates have expanded as the incarcerated 
population has aged, succumbing to the same ailments that afflict the 
elderly in the outside world--such as diabetes, hypertension, and 
stroke.
  It is a sad reflection of the inadequate health care system in 
America that many times inmates receive health care for the first time 
after they enter correctional facilities. Indeed, it is likely that the 
majority of inmates with communicable diseases entered correctional 
systems already infected. Having millions of inmates with serious 
communicable diseases threatens the health and lives of thousands of 
dedicated corrections officers and all who work in correctional 
facilities, as well as the rest of the prison population as well. Most 
inmates are released after they've served their time. Upon release, the 
threat to public health becomes clear, as inmates return to live and 
work in our communities. There is no doubt that correctional facilities 
play a key role in the battle against the spread of disease.
  The challenge faced by correctional facilities is enormous. In an era 
of shrinking resources, corrections staff are called upon to do more 
with less. My bill is intended to assist them in this challenge.
  To respond to this critical need, I am introducing legislation which 
would establish an Office of Correctional Health within the Department 
of Health and Human Services and would setup a program for States to 
combat hepatitis in correctional facilities. The proposed office would 
coordinate all correctional health programs within HHS; provide 
technical support to State and local correctional agencies on 
correctional health; cooperate with other Federal agencies carrying out 
correctional health programs to ensure coordination; and provide 
outreach and facilitate information exchange regarding correctional 
health activities.
  As a result of discussions with a broad range of groups about the 
need to combat hepatitis, the bill that I am introducing will include a 
program to provide matching grants to States for the screening, 
immunization, and treatment of hepatitis A, B, and C in correctional 
facilities. This new program is based on recommendations in a report 
published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention entitled, 
Prevention and Control of Infections with Hepatitis Viruses in 
Correctional Settings. States will have flexibility in this program to 
screen, treat, or immunize inmates or employees.
  The public health implications from joining this battle are clear. If 
we give corrections professionals the tools and resources they need to 
identify, treat, and prevent communicable disease, we protect those who 
reside both behind bars and beyond the gates.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important public health measure.

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