Rulo Strategies LLC’s Post

Positive impacts on Health Equity, State budgets and crime rates are possible with small changes to Medicaid. Care for incarcerated individuals is needlessly expensive, people of color are disproportionately impacted and for many in "the system" their best option for care is to be returned to prison. Throughout my career, I've had a couple of opportunities to work at the intersection of healthcare and the criminal justice system. It's always been eye opening. Historically, those who are incarcerated loose Medicaid coverage. In most states, they do not automatically get coverage back upon release. Reinstatement can take years. Imagine having diabetes or a mental health condition, being stable on treatment and being told that you will have no access to regular medical care or medication upon your release. I'm pleased to see that change is happening. If you are in the Medicaid business, think about how you can support increased coverage and care transitions.

💭 Study Highlights Racial Disparities in Medicaid Expansion Outcomes A new JAMA Network Open study by UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health researchers reveals that while Medicaid expansion reduced mortality among formerly incarcerated individuals, significant racial disparities persist. The benefits were primarily seen in white populations, with no significant change for Black individuals. 📈 "The findings underscore the importance of additional public health-related efforts that can address racialized inequities among formerly incarcerated populations, even within the context of Medicaid expansion and other broad health policy improvements." Learn more about the implications of this research on our website: https://lnkd.in/dxFcDE84 #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #MedicaidExpansion #UNCResearch

States now have opportunities to improve Medicaid coverage for incarcerated individuals, offering pre-release services & expanding eligibility. This article dissects CMS recommendations, proposing strategies for improved community connection & health care. https://ja.ma/45s4A0x

See our latest update on how states are using Medicaid waivers to support reentry and improve health outcomes for individuals leaving incarceration.

Article Alert: "Using Medicaid 1115 Reentry Waivers to Improve the Health of People Leaving Incarceration" by CHLPI's John Card and Elizabeth Kaplan is a must-read. It explores the devastating health impacts of incarceration and the potential of pre-release Medicaid coverage to address these issues. Published in Health Affairs Forefront. Read: https://ow.ly/kcKJ50TtAYG Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation #healthpolicy #incarceration #Medicaid

Article Alert: "Using Medicaid 1115 Reentry Waivers to Improve the Health of People Leaving Incarceration" by CHLPI's John Card and Elizabeth Kaplan is a must-read. It explores the devastating health impacts of incarceration and the potential of pre-release Medicaid coverage to address these issues. Published in Health Affairs Forefront. Read: https://ow.ly/kcKJ50TtAYG Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation #healthpolicy #incarceration #Medicaid

Section 1115 Waiver Watch: Medicaid Pre-Release Services for People Who Are Incarcerated: In April 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance encouraging states to apply for a new Section 1115 demonstration opportunity to test transition-related strategies to support community reentry for people who are incarcerated. To date, CMS has approved Section 1115 reentry waiver requests from three states (California, Montana, and Washington). This Waiver Watch reviews CMS guidance and summarizes key features of the three approved 1115 reentry waivers. #medicaid #mdrp #financial

People who are incarcerated have higher rates of mental illness, substance use disorder, and chronic and physical health care needs than the general population and are particularly vulnerable upon release.. Until recently, states were prohibited from using federal funds to provide health care services to incarcerated people through the Medicaid program. But changes in federal law have created new opportunities for states to use Medicaid to provide prerelease health care services. First, states can choose to provide limited benefits to incarcerated adults and youths up to 90 days prerelease through Section 1115 reentry waivers. Second, states are required—starting Jan. 1, 2025—to provide certain post-disposition youths and young adults with screening and diagnostic services up to 30 days prerelease. Finally, states may provide full Medicaid benefits to certain youths and young adults while they await disposition of charges. Andrew Hook Jennifer Rossettini, J.D., CFP® Rachel H. Snead Tejal Desai Jeff Kiser Edna Colucci Courtney Williams LeeAnn Wilburn, SHRM-CP Sandra Buhr, CLM Skyler Lucas Sonia Carey Dr. Sheri Thomas Sarah Tatum, EA

Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania expand Medicaid and CHIP coverage for children and former inmates, ensuring continuous healthcare access and fostering better health outcomes. #RegulatoryAgencies #MedicaidExpansion #HealthcarePolicyandRegulation #HealthcareAccess #MarketAccessToday #MarketAccess

New NSA resource on requirements for how Medicaid and CHIP agencies provide services for young people who are incarcerated: