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house Bill H.R. 4005

Should Soon-to-be Released Prisoners Get Medicaid to Prevent Relapses?

Argument in favor

People are at their most vulnerable when transitioning from the penitentiary to life as a citizen, and this measure would extend important services to them before they're released.

I.Got.an.Idea...'s Opinion
···
06/19/2018
Medicare For All would address this and all of the other ailments and oppression in society, created by Conservatism.
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Jack's Opinion
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06/19/2018
There are actual studies that show if you treat criminals for substance abuse they are less likely to reenter the prison system, this is also a lot cheaper than letting them reenter the prison program because it save around $70,000 dollars per person who doesn’t reenter
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Katie's Opinion
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06/19/2018
Recovery is important to ones ability to live a reformed life. Why impede that?
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Argument opposed

Medical assistance should be prioritized to citizens that have not had legal issues, they should take steps on their own to avoid relapsing.

Marcus's Opinion
···
06/19/2018
It may seem callous, but these are not the people who will get better from drug addiction, it’s the mentally ill that don’t get the attention they need. Use this money for psychiatrists to give proper treatment, so their patients don’t self-medicate.
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ManfromNebraska's Opinion
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06/19/2018
Let them get a job and be a respectable citizen. There are others who really need Medicad benefits.
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JTJ's Opinion
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06/19/2018
Stop throwing money away on the least deserving in society. Medicare is already insolvent.
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What is House Bill H.R. 4005?

This bill ― the Medicaid Reentry Act ― would open the door for state Medicaid programs to receive federal matching dollars for medical services going to Medicaid-eligible incarcerated individuals during the 30-days prior to their release back into society.

Impact

Parolees; substance abuse recovery centers; and state Medicaid programs.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 4005

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2018-2023 period.

More Information

In-Depth: Introduced by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Mike Turner (R-OH), this bill would provide states with the flexibility to restart Medicaid coverage for eligible incarcerated individuals up to 30 days prior to their release. Such coverage is critical to help start treatment for individuals who are addicted before they are released back to civilian life and will help to save lives from opioid overdose deaths once they are released.

“We have a short span of time in which we can identify individuals who have been incarcerated and are in need of substance abuse treatment and them being released,” said Turner. “This bill allows us to use that time to treat these individuals when we have custody of them. The opioid epidemic has affected every corner of our country and has hit our community in Southwest Ohio especially hard. This legislation is a commonsense step to increase access to treatment for Medicaid-eligible individuals.”

Transitioning individuals are among the most vulnerable to opioid overdose, with studies showing those leaving correctional settings are as much as 129 times more likely to die of an overdose in the first two weeks post-release compared to the general population.

“Addiction knows no boundary of age, race, gender, geography or political party,” Tonko observed. “I am delighted to welcome my distinguished colleague Michael Turner as the lead Republican on this important and timely legislation.”

This legislation passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a voice vote and has the support of three cosponsors, all of whom are Republicans. Supporters include mental health, substance use disorder, and healthcare professional organizations in the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose as well as the American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Association of Counties (NACo).


Media:

Summary by Lucas McConnell

(Photo Credit: baona / iStock)

AKA

Medicaid Reentry Act

Official Title

To promote State innovations to ease transitions to the community for individuals who are inmates of a public institution and eligible for medical assistance under the Medicaid program.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Finance
  • The house Passed June 19th, 2018
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Committee on Energy and Commerce
      Health
    IntroducedOctober 10th, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    I.Got.an.Idea...'s Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    Medicare For All would address this and all of the other ailments and oppression in society, created by Conservatism.
    Like (97)
    Follow
    Share
    Marcus's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/19/2018
    It may seem callous, but these are not the people who will get better from drug addiction, it’s the mentally ill that don’t get the attention they need. Use this money for psychiatrists to give proper treatment, so their patients don’t self-medicate.
    Like (12)
    Follow
    Share
    Jack's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    There are actual studies that show if you treat criminals for substance abuse they are less likely to reenter the prison system, this is also a lot cheaper than letting them reenter the prison program because it save around $70,000 dollars per person who doesn’t reenter
    Like (45)
    Follow
    Share
    Katie's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    Recovery is important to ones ability to live a reformed life. Why impede that?
    Like (30)
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    Dani's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    I'm amazed at the ignorance in the "nay" column. why bother with health care coverage for people with diabetes...they will only eat another donut.... or people with heart disease...no point treating them as they will keep working 80 hours a week and eating KFC!!
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    littletigerbabe's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    This should be a no brainer but unfortunately the stigma attached to the word “criminal” has everybody dehumanizing these people. How can you expect them to re enter society when they’re stripped of everything? Renting, driving, voting, jobs, welfare, etc not to mention their dignity, self worth and kids if they have any. Allowing them treatment is the bare minimum!
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    Malkavianlove's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    Re-entry into society is incredibly difficult. This struggle often leads to relapsing and the creation of a revolving door situation that puts a great strain on their families, the state and society as a whole.
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    operaman's Public Comment
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    06/19/2018
    Nope! Get a job.
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    Cndrla's Public Comment
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    06/19/2018
    Yes Yes Yes! A high percentage of incarcerated Americans have dual diagnosis. A mental health disorder and an addiction diagnosis. So turn these souls out to society with out the tools to be successful and then scratch our heads when they are incarcerated again? Republicans don’t want to support services to help this population because their wealthy donors are the very private prison system owners who make tax payer dollars by re incarcerating humans. Same reason Republicans really want to incarcerate immigrants. They make more money and get more donations from the ass holes who own and run the prison system. Wake up America! This is not normal!
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    ManfromNebraska's Opinion Against
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    06/19/2018
    Let them get a job and be a respectable citizen. There are others who really need Medicad benefits.
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    MAGAnificent's Opinion In Favor
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    06/19/2018
    Yes, but temporarily. IF THEY ARE CITIZENS.
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    Alex's Opinion In Favor
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    06/19/2018
    Everyone deserves affordable comprehensive medical care. Period
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    PugsforPeace's Opinion In Favor
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    06/19/2018
    It would cost us a lot less in the long run.
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    David's Opinion In Favor
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    06/19/2018
    This bill is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, I'm sure that some States like mine (Florida) will not participate.
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    Jihan's Opinion In Favor
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    06/19/2018
    This promotes true rehabilitation.
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    H david 's Opinion In Favor
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    06/19/2018
    Yes people who are returning free society should receive all the help we can get them, Healthcare, job training, a living wage and affordable housing. We need to stop the revolving door prison system and a person with hope has a greater chance of staying off drugs and contributing to society. We need to end our punitive attitudes towards people who have been incarcerated and treat them like human beings instead of a way to make money for private prisons.
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    burrkitty's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    Life is a inalienable right. Health is essential to that right. Healthcare is a fundamental component of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” And for those of you who don’t care about your morality, common humanity, or bother with compassion for your fellow people... it’s also cheaper.
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    SneakyPete's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2018
    I believe that People are at their most vulnerable when transitioning from the penitentiary to life as a citizen, and this measure would extend important services to them before they're released.
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    JTJ's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/19/2018
    Stop throwing money away on the least deserving in society. Medicare is already insolvent.
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    BeStrong's Opinion In Favor
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    06/19/2018
    Medicare should be available. YES, if treatment is needed, yes. This isn’t a about a cost savings plan, neither is it about country of origin. There’s no picking or choosing, just YES. Treat people if they need treatment.
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