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H.R. 2586: Reentry Act of 2025

The Reentry Act of 2025 aims to amend the Social Security Act to allow states to provide medical assistance to inmates during the 30 days leading up to their release from correctional facilities. Here are the key points of what the bill proposes:

1. Medical Assistance for Inmates

The bill proposes that states can extend Medicaid medical assistance to individuals who are inmates in public institutions like prisons during the 30-day period just before their release. This means that eligible inmates could receive necessary healthcare services as they prepare to re-enter society.

2. Report on Inmate Healthcare

The bill requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress within 18 months after the bill is enacted. This report will analyze various aspects of healthcare for incarcerated individuals, including:

Provision of Care: An evaluation of the health and safety standards for inmates, the healthcare services available, and the conditions under which these services are provided.
Access to Healthcare: An assessment of how incarcerated individuals access medical and behavioral health services.
Conditions of Participation: An investigation into the application of Medicare and Medicaid regulations to healthcare services for inmates.
Standards and Processes: An analysis of state licensing, certification standards, and how they might relate to the healthcare provided to inmates.
Accreditation Standards: A comparison of accrediting practices for correctional facilities against those of community healthcare facilities, especially concerning the healthcare provided to inmates.

3. Impact and Recommendations

The report will also focus on the impact of the bill itself, providing insights into:

The number of incarcerated individuals eligible for Medicaid assistance under state plans.
The initial effects of allowing medical assistance on healthcare coverage and the transition process for inmates returning to the community.
Current practices related to discharges from correctional facilities, particularly how these institutions collaborate with state Medicaid agencies to enroll eligible individuals in medical assistance programs.
Further recommendations for Congress and state agencies regarding access to comprehensive healthcare for both incarcerated and newly released individuals, along with enhancements for the transition to community services and treatment options.