Zach Ruppel says new Medicaid work requirements could harm access to healthcare for formerly incarcerated people

JLUSA Policy Analyst Zach Ruppel (Leading with Conviction™ 2021) says that Ohio leaders face a choice that will shape whether thousands of people returning home from incarceration successfully rebuild their lives – or fall through the cracks.

“Nationwide, people leaving prison have disproportionately high rates of complex medical issues, infectious disease and chronic illnesses, including substance use and mental disorders.”

“The first weeks post-release are especially dangerous as people coming home from prison are 13 times more likely to die than the general population and 129 times more likely to die from overdose.”

“Medicaid is one of the most effective tools for preventing such tragedies. There’s widespread recognition of this, evidenced by dozens of states seeking federal Medicaid Reentry 1115 waivers. With approved waivers from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, states can leverage federal Medicaid dollars for pre-release health services and transitional care for up to 90 days before release. On July 1, Ohio indicated its intent to submit one.”

“But the new federal work requirements threaten to undermine such progress. Data shows such rules often lead to massive coverage losses, not because people refuse to work, but because they struggle with the associated red tape.”

Read more at the Columbus Dispatch.