New legislation in the Senate is looking to broaden Medicaid, Medicare, Children's Health Insurance Program and Veterans Affairs coverage for incarcerated individuals awaiting trial.
Dubbed the Equity in Pre-Trial Health Coverage Act, the proposed act would close a coverage gap that prevents incarcerated individuals awaiting trial from accessing public health insurance, despite being entitled to it, according to an Oct. 14 news release.
Coverage is currently denied for those who are detained, but those who post bail receive coverage between their release and trial.
The bill's three authors — Sens. Edward Markey, D-Mass., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio — said closing the gap is essential, especially for detainees with substance use disorders and other mental health conditions, according to the news release.