HR2586-119

What This Bill Does

The Reentry Act amends the Medicaid inmate exclusion so medical assistance can be available for an individual during the 30-day period before release from a public institution. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to report to Congress within 18 months on the Medicaid inmate exclusion. The report must address correctional health and safety standards, health care furnished to incarcerated individuals, the physical environment for care, access to medical and behavioral health services, possible application of Medicare and Medicaid provider conditions of participation, state licensing and certification standards for correctional facilities, correctional accrediting bodies compared with community health accrediting bodies, the number of incarcerated individuals otherwise eligible for Medicaid, the preliminary effect of the 30-day coverage change on health coverage and reentry, discharge practices, Medicaid enrollment coordination, and possible legislative or administrative recommendations for comprehensive coverage and addiction treatment transitions.

Who Benefits and How

Incarcerated individuals approaching release benefit because Medicaid can cover medical assistance during the final 30 days before release. Newly released people benefit from smoother transition to community health care and addiction treatment after incarceration. State Medicaid agencies benefit from clearer authority to coordinate pre-release enrollment and coverage with correctional facilities. Community health providers benefit if more people leave correctional facilities with coverage already active or near active.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State Medicaid agencies must coordinate eligibility, coverage, and claims during the 30-day pre-release window. Correctional facilities must interact with Medicaid agencies on discharge planning, enrollment, and health service coordination. MACPAC must conduct the 18-month study covering standards, access, eligibility counts, discharge practices, and recommendations. Federal taxpayers may bear higher Medicaid costs for pre-release services that were previously excluded.

Key Provisions

• Amends Medicaid law to allow medical assistance during the 30 days before release from a public institution.
• Requires MACPAC to report within 18 months on the Medicaid inmate exclusion and correctional health standards.
• Requires analysis of Medicaid enrollment, discharge practices, health coverage transitions, and addiction treatment access.
• Directs possible recommendations to Congress, HHS, and states for further legislative or administrative action.