Rep. Mike Turner
Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) would allow states to make medical assistance available to inmates during the 30-day period preceding their release.
“Incarcerated individuals are 129 times more likely to overdose and die relative to the general population, and this devastating problem has undoubtedly worsened during the coronavirus pandemic,” Rep. Turner said. “This landmark legislation will help reduce recidivism among incarcerated individuals and will work towards bringing America and Ohio one step closer to combatting the deadly opioid crisis.”
Rep. Turner cosponsored the Medicaid Reentry Act, H.R. 955, on Monday with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and five other cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The bill would provide Medicaid access to inmates for the 30 days before their release, establishing a foundation for treatment during incarceration. The lawmakers in February 2019 introduced the same bill, H.R. 1329, which was referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
“After many years of persistent advocacy, today I partnered with my colleague, Democrat Congressman Tonko, to reintroduce the Medicaid Reentry Act, which will provide a pathway to access addiction treatment during incarcerated individuals’ transition to society,” said Rep. Turner.
If enacted, H.R. 955 also would allow incarcerated individuals to seek both COVID-19 and addiction treatment, according to Rep. Turner’s office, which added that the measure has bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate from U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Mike Braun (R-IN), among others.
The bill also has garnered support from numerous organizations, including the American Jail Association, the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the International Community Corrections Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Council for Behavioral Health, The National Safety Council, and the National Sheriffs Association, among many others.