Michigan prisoners pay a copay for doctor visits, something some advocates say keeps inmates from seeking appropriate care.

It’s a $5 copay for most medical visits, which doesn’t sound like much, until you consider some inmates as little as 74 cents per day, depending on their work assignments and education.

Bridge Michigan reports the state’s population is aging, and inmate health care needs are expected to increase.

Legislation that would eliminate the fees is being considered, in part to improve health outcomes and save taxpayer money in the long run. Taxpayers handle the bulk of health care costs for the nearly 33,000 prisoners in the state, to the tune of $374 million — or 17.4% of the $2.1 billion Department of Corrections budget.