Opinion No.

Mr. Larry Norris, Acting Director Arkansas Department of Correction P.O. Box 8707 Pine Bluff, AR 71611

Dear Mr. Norris:

This is in response to former Director Roger Endell's request for an opinion regarding whether the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) applies to an inmate in an emergency condition, and whether and under what circumstances a facility that receives public funds may refuse to provide general medical care to an individual on the basis of his status as an inmate. It is my opinion that a portion of COBRA entitled the "Emergency Medical Treatment and Active…