摘要：Medicaid is an important source of health care coverage for prison-involved populations. From 2011 to 2012, we surveyed state prison system (SPS) policies affecting Medicaid enrollment during incarceration and upon release; 42 of 50 SPSs participated. Upon incarceration, Medicaid benefits were suspended in 9 (21.4%) SPSs and terminated in 28 (66.7%); 27 (64.3%) SPSs screened prisoners for potential Medicaid eligibility. Although many states supported Medicaid enrollment upon release, several did not. We have considered implications for Medicaid expansion. Prisoners have a heavy burden of disease. 1–5 For qualifying individuals (e.g., disabled, impoverished adults with dependents and—starting in 2014 in states that choose to expand their Medicaid eligibility as part of health care reform—impoverished adults without dependents), Medicaid can provide health care coverage before and after incarceration. 6 Although not assessed nationally, a study of former Texas and Ohio prisoners found that only 8% of men and 21% of women enrolled in Medicaid 8 to 10 months after release, whereas 68% and 58%, respectively, were without any health care coverage. 7 Medicaid can also provide health care coverage for eligible prisoners during incarceration, when care is delivered in an inpatient setting, separate from the prison system. 8 Despite the role of Medicaid in financing health care for prisoners and former prisoners, the current landscape of policies and practices affecting state prisoners’ enrollment in Medicaid has not been broadly assessed. To address this gap, we conducted a survey to understand Medicaid policies and practices employed in state prison systems (SPSs).
