Bill > A00269

This bill mandates that eligible incarcerated individuals be enrolled in the medical assistance for needy persons program, which is a government-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals, unless they were already enrolled and expected to remain so upon release, are ineligible, or do not wish to be enrolled, with the caveat that medical assistance will only cover services authorized by law during incarceration. For those found ineligible for this program, correctional facilities and social services officials are required to diligently explore and assist with enrollment in any other applicable medical insurance programs if the individual desires. Additionally, the bill requires that identification cards for enrolled individuals be kept with their records until release, and it also mandates an annual report studying and detailing the enrollment status of incarcerated individuals in medical assistance programs.