The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials are making moves aimed at aiding states in helping improve the care for incarcerated individuals due to soon be released.
With the so-called Medicaid Reentry Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity being overseen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the goal is to make the transition back to reentry easier for individuals thereby increasing their chances for success. The program would also allow state Medicaid programs to cover services that address various health concerns, including substance use disorders and other chronic health conditions.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has made expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare a top priority,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a press release. “We are committed to ensuring all Americans have the peace of mind they deserve knowing they have access to life-saving health care, whether it is medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders or prescription medication to treat other chronic health conditions. Through this historic new effort, we are working to ensure that people who were formerly incarcerated can transition successfully back into the community with the health care support and services they need. This is an essential step for advancing health equity in our nation, and we encourage all states to take advantage of this new opportunity.”
With the U.S. Department of Justice recently reporting up to 37% of people in state/federal prisons and 44 percent of people who were incarcerated overall had a history of mental illness, The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that the rate of substance use disorders for people who are incarcerated may be as high as 65%. Without treatment, the report adds that one-time inmates are at increased risk of an overdose within the first few weeks of re-entry.
The plan calls for states to extend a package of pre-release services for up to 90 days prior to the individual’s expected release date, with the thinking being that improving such critical services enhances an individual’s chances of finding success during reentry.
“Today, we reach a significant milestone in expanding access to health care in the Medicaid program,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure added. “This guidance outlines a pathway to implement historic changes for individuals who are incarcerated and eligible for Medicaid. By improving care and coordination prior to release from the justice system, we can help build a bridge back to the community and enhance individual and collective public health and public safety outcomes.”
