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Riverside County Slashes Jail Medical Care

RIVERSIDE (AP) — Riverside County has reduced or eliminated medical care at most of its jails as it struggles with budget cuts.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports Wednesday that 33 full-time nursing, clerk and other medical positions were cut -- about a third of the staff.

Blythe jail medical services were eliminated and hours of service at most other jails were slashed.

The cuts were made about two months ago to save nearly $3.4 million.

Inmates who need chronic care are held at a Riverside jail that maintains around-the-clock care, while other inmates can be taken to the hospital.

However, the CEO of Riverside County Regional Medical Center, Doug Bagley, says it's too soon to know whether transporting inmates to hospitals will cost more than the county is saving by reducing jail medical staff.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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