Kentucky recently joined a select group of states in allowing health insurance coverage for individuals about to be released from incarceration. Under the new rules, Kentucky can now offer Medicaid and CHIP coverage up to 90 days before an individual reenters society.
John Bowman, senior campaign organizer at Dream.org, emphasized the significance of this change. He believes it will help those reintegrating into society by preventing gaps in healthcare coverage and easing access to treatment for chronic illnesses and substance use disorders.
“This initiative could be transformative,” Bowman said. “Ideally, we’d like to see this extended to county jails as well, not just prisons, as they are currently excluded.”
The updated regulations also encompass youths in juvenile detention centers eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Federal data suggests that approximately 80% of returning individuals face chronic medical, psychiatric, or substance use challenges.
Research highlights that overcrowding, substandard conditions, and limited healthcare access in jails contribute to higher rates of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. During the pandemic, incarcerated individuals were three times more likely to succumb to the virus compared to the general population. Bowman noted that those with pre-existing conditions often experience deteriorating health or acquire new medical issues during their confinement.
“The healthcare provided to incarcerated individuals is severely lacking,” Bowman lamented. “They’re essentially put in a cage and forgotten about. The inadequate healthcare in these facilities is truly disheartening.”
According to the Prison Policy Initiative, federal prisons and over 40 states require incarcerated individuals to pay an average copay of around $2 for medical visits.
Bowman expressed hope that Kentucky will expand access to evidence-based substance use treatment and recovery services, including support from peer specialists through Medicaid, to aid those rebuilding their lives post-incarceration.
