These five states will now be granting Medicaid to prisoners scheduled to be released

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that adult and youth inmates on their way out of prison in Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Utah, and Vermont will be granted Medicaid and children’s health insurance programs, or CHIP, before being released.

The decision by HHS made through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services took into account how newly released prisoners often face delays in receiving Medicaid and CHIP coverage. 

Now, however, inmates can begin receiving coverage up to 90 days before their release dates. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is working to ensure every American has access to high-quality, affordable healthcare,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “This is an essential step for advancing health equity in our nation. For people involved in the justice system, ensuring a successful transition back into the community includes having the healthcare support and services they need. I’m pleased to see more and more states putting resources behind efforts that will ensure these individuals have what they need to thrive.” 

Already, California, Massachusetts, Montana, and Washington provide inmates with Medicaid and CHIP benefits before they are released from prison.

The measure also will assist prisoners by connecting them with Medicaid and CHIP providers within their community.

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States will also be able to expand coverage for treatment options not included in Medicaid. The opportunity expands coverage for substance-use disorder treatment. 

“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, 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.”