U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) recently signed on as the lead original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that would ensure pretrial detainees who have not been convicted of a crime retain access to Medicaid while awaiting trial.
“Ensuring access to necessary medical care for individuals awaiting trial is not just a matter of fairness — it’s a matter of public safety and fiscal responsibility,” Rep. Turner said on Tuesday. “This legislation provides a practical solution to prevent untreated health conditions from escalating, reduces burdens on local law enforcement, and helps communities avoid higher long-term costs.”
The congressman on Feb. 21 introduced the Due Process Continuity of Care Act, H.R. 1510, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) and 19 other original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA).
Under current law, the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy strips Medicaid coverage from individuals in custody, even if they are only in pretrial detention. This policy disproportionately impacts those unable to afford bail, and it disrupts access to health care and shifts costs to local jails and taxpayers, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
If enacted, H.R. 1510 would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the Medicaid coverage exclusion for inmates in custody pending disposition of charges, restoring Medicaid coverage for pretrial detainees to promote fairness, improve public safety, and ensure access to health care for those presumed innocent under the law, the summary says.
“Our justice system is built on the principle of innocence until proven guilty,” said Rep. Sylvester Turner. “Denying health care to those awaiting trial is both unjust and harmful. This legislation ensures access to care, reduces costs for local governments, and helps prevent untreated health conditions from leading to recidivism.”