Senator Brice Wiggins released information pertaining to the state of Medicaid in Mississippi and how it impacts county jails. These documents include an argument for the movement to Suspend Medicaid coverage to inmates, versus total termination.
In short, the argument for Medicaid Suspension is supported by State cost Savings. States may achieve cost savings by switching to suspension policies. It is one way to allow federal Medicaid funds to finance care provided to an eligible incarcerated individual outside of a jail or prison when the person is in a ‘medical institution’ for 24 or more hours.
READ THE FULL CASE FOR MOVING TO MEDICAID SUSPENSION.
In the report there are suggestions to congress to pass legislation to ease and/or undo the federal Medicaid inmate exclusion. Counties are required by federal law to provide adequate healthcare for the individuals that live there, however due to the “federal Medicaid inmate exclusion” some individuals are unable to access their Medicaid benefits.
You can view the entire powerpoint BELOW:
Sarah Ulmer
