Bill > S00614

This bill mandates that eligible incarcerated individuals be enrolled in the medical assistance for needy persons program, which is a state-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 enroll. For those incarcerated in local correctional facilities, superintendents are required to take necessary steps for enrollment where practical, with similar exceptions. Importantly, this bill clarifies that medical assistance will not cover care provided during incarceration unless specifically authorized by law, and enrollment documents for successfully enrolled individuals will be kept with their records until release, at which point they will be provided to the individual. If an incarcerated person is found ineligible for this program, efforts will be made to determine their eligibility for other medical insurance programs and assist them with applications if they desire. Additionally, the bill requires the state to study and report annually on the enrollment of incarcerated individuals in medical assistance programs, detailing their enrollment status at incarceration, during incarceration, and at release.