Inmates in five states, including minors, to be granted Medicaid coverage
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expanding Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage to incarcerated individuals in five states. Inmates held in prisons, jails or youth correctional facilities can access these programs and seek care for health issues while still incarcerated, in an effort to improve public health after their release.
The move by the HHS covers inmates of all ages in Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Utah and Vermont and aims to curb drug abuse and overdoses post-release, the White House said in a statement. The expanded coverage was supported by a bipartisan coalition of Republican and Democrats in Congress and in state governments.
“Expanding access to life-saving treatment and recovery supports for incarcerated people is a critical part of our bipartisan efforts to beat the overdose epidemic and save lives,” Rahul Gupta, MD, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in the statement. “President Biden made addressing the overdose epidemic part of his Unity Agenda for the Nation because it is an issue that affects every community across the country and requires members of both parties to deliver progress for the American people.”
Coverage under Medicaid and CHIP will be granted to inmates in the form of waivers. Those looking to be covered must submit an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which is currently reviewing requests. If approved, incarcerated individuals will be granted access to not only standard medical care but also behavioral health and addiction treatment services.
Other states have expressed interest in joining the program in the future, but for now the rollout is only occurring in five states.
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