Summary of Bill HR 1510
Bill 119 HR 1510, also known as the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Act, aims to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to eliminate the Medicaid coverage exclusion for individuals who are in custody pending the resolution of criminal charges. Currently, individuals who are incarcerated and awaiting trial are not eligible for Medicaid benefits, which can create barriers to accessing necessary healthcare services.
The bill seeks to address this issue by allowing individuals in custody to maintain their Medicaid coverage during the pretrial period. This would ensure that individuals have access to essential healthcare services, such as mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, and medical care, while they await the resolution of their charges.
By removing the Medicaid coverage exclusion for inmates in custody pending disposition of charges, the bill aims to improve the health outcomes of individuals involved in the criminal justice system and reduce the financial burden on states and local governments that provide healthcare services to incarcerated individuals.
Overall, the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Act is a bipartisan effort to address a gap in healthcare coverage for individuals in custody and ensure that they have access to the care they need to support their well-being during the pretrial period.
Congressional Summary of HR 1510
Due Process Continuity of Care Act
This bill allows an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges (i.e., pretrial detainees) to receive Medicaid benefits at the option of the state. The bill also provides for state planning grants to support the provision of such benefits.