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Urge Congress to Protect Health Care Coverage for Individuals who are Incarcerated

Medicaid is a critical provider of mental health services, providing coverage for more than 1 in 4 adults living with a serious mental illness. People with mental illness are overrepresented in our criminal justice system. As many as 5,000 times per day, someone with a mental health condition is booked into a jail, often for a low-level, nonviolent offense. Currently, Medicaid cannot cover services for an individual who is incarcerated, even for a short amount of time.

Far too many people with mental illness are in jails and prisons. But without connections to community mental health and supports, people transitioning into the community are unfortunately also at a higher risk of returning to criminal justice system involvement, suicide, and overdose. We must do better.

This is why NAMI is working hard to pass two critical pieces of legislation that will help people who are incarcerated stay connected to care. 

  • The Re-entry Act (H.R. 2400/S. 1165) would allow Medicaid to provide health care coverage to people who are incarcerated 30 days prior to their re-entry into the community. This policy change is vital to supporting those with mental health and substance use needs get connected to care, and reduce their risk of re-incarceration. 

  • The Due Process Continuity of Care Act (H.R. 3074/S. 971) would allow people who are incarcerated pre-trial are able to maintain their Medicaid coverage and connection to care. This bill will help provide people with mental illness and substance use disorder who are incarcerated pre-trial critical access to overdose prevention and treatment, as well as reduce their risk of re-incarceration. 

Take action to ensure people with mental illness can get the care they need. Take a moment to personalize your message in the editable section! 

Act now!

This campaign has concluded.