Jail Medical Department responds to attacks on radio

Dear Editor:

It has come to my attention that there has not only been false information broadcast on a local radio station about my Medical Department here at the Gila County Jail, but also accusations that certain individuals have had their privacy rights violated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA.

I wish to make it know to the general public that I have responded to the radio station involved and it is being taken care of through the proper channels. I want to make sure the facts are known. Our policy is to only give medications to inmates who legally have them prescribed to them.

We do not give out free medications to officers or employees, we refer them to their own clinics, and we take any violations of HIPAA very seriously.

We have always passed our audits, done by the State of Arizona, with flying colors and I invite anyone who would like to see how we operate to come down and take a tour of our Jail Medical Department for a firsthand look.

Richard Hobson PA-C

Gila County Medical Director