Affordable Care Act and Inmates

Affordable Care Act and Inmates

With the Affordable Care Act opening the doors of coverage for single, childless men and women, prisons and jails nationwide are racing to sign inmates up for it. Here are five interesting facts about the ACA and inmates. A majority of inmates are single, childless males. Signing them up under the plan allows jails and prisons to move millions of dollars of medical payment obligations from counties and states to the federal government. Most inmates, once they become incarcerated no longer have incomes, which automatically put them below the $11,490 required for insurance plans. This makes the inmate eligible for federally subsidized Medicaid, if they are incarcerated in one of the 26 states that chose to expand their Medicaid programs with federal subsidies. If not, they may not be eligible for any coverage, in which case the county or state has to pay for their health care. What if I don’t have health coverage? When the covered inmate is released from jail or prison, regardless of which plan he is on, his coverage goes with him. Some experts believe the ACA will reduce recidivism because it covers addiction treatment. Addiction is a leading cause of criminal behavior.
  1. Inmates with mental illness will be able to continue with treatment when released. An estimated 34 percent of all inmates are mentally ill.
  2. Most jails and prisons provide administrative assistance to sign the inmates up. The inmate simply answers a few questions and officials do the rest.
What you’ll need to know Final thoughts: Counties and states have struggled under the burden of inmate health care for years. The ACA moves that burden to the federal government, saving money at the state and county levels.