HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2023-065-Resolution Supporting medicaid availability prior to re-entry for incarcerated individuals RES -2023 - 065 r
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MEDICAID AVAILABILITY PRIOR TO RE - ENTRY FOR
INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS
Whereas, Orange County seeks to improve the health and well - being for all North
Carolinians , and for Orange County residents in particular , and this commitment includes
advancing health access by reducing disparities for historically marginalized populations ;
and
Whereas, Orange County has a demonstrated . commitment to incarcerated individuals
and their successful re - entry back into the community . The Orange County Local Reentry
Council ( LRC ) has been in operation since 2018 through the Criminal Justice Resource
Department with two County positions managing the LRC and supporting Orange County
residents returning to the community from incarceration . In addition , two community
health workers are employed in the Orange County Health Department with the Formerly
Incarcerated Transitions ( FIT) program supporting people re - entering with chronic health
issues ; and
Whereas, Orange County has a long history of seeking to reduce barriers to re - entry from
prior incarceration in areas such as employment , housing , transportation , harm reduction
and health care ; and
Whereas, formerly- incarcerated individuals , who are disproportionately people of color ,
are at a higher risk for poor health outcomes , injury , overdose and death than other
community members . These individuals are particularly vulnerable during the period
immediately following release from a correctional institution . Over half of all people in
state prisons and two thirds of individuals in jails have a substance use disorder , 30 %
have identified physical health needs and 50 % have other mental health needs .
Significantly , individuals leaving incarceration are 40 times more likely to die of a drug
overdose in the first two weeks of release than the general population ; and
Whereas, due to restrictions in federal Medicaid law , states have historically been unable
to draw down Medicaid funding to provide health care services to individuals when they
are incarcerated ( known as the " Medicaid inmate exclusion " ) . This creates a serious
coverage gap when individuals are released and severely impacts health , stability and
recidivism ; and
Whereas, vital legislation and policy reform is being considered in the United States
Congress and efforts underway at the NC Department of Health and Human Services
( NCDHHS ) to address this Medicaid exclusion . The Reentry Act ( HR 2400/S 1165 )
proposes allowing Medicaid payments for medical services provided to individuals
incarcerated in prisons and jails at 30 days prior to their release . The Due Process
Continuity of Care Act ( HR 3074/ S 971 ) amends the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy
to allow for Medicaid coverage of health services for pre -trial detainees and provides $ 50
million in planning grants to states . Finally , NCDHHS is seeking federal authority through
the Medicaid Reform Section 1115 Demonstration Renewal Request to provide targeted
pre - release Medicaid services within the 90 - day period prior to release from correctional
settings . The services include case management , medication assisted treatment and a
30 - day minimum supply of medication at release ;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
hereby strongly supports these state and federal efforts to improve access to critical
medical and behavioral health care through Medicaid funding to individuals near release
from incarceration ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners believes
Medicaid eligibility prior to re- entry will advance health access by reducing disparities and
improve care coordination for historically marginalized populations . This will make our
County safer , healthier and more equitable .
This the 3rd Day of October 2023 .
JaWezettz bedford , C it
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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