A Bill to Keep Medicaid for Folks Upon Their Release From Jail Passed the Utah House of Representatives Rhett Wilkinson Follow Mar 12, 2019 · 2 min read

With several Utah Republicans speaking in support of the bill, the Utah House of Representatives passed — by a 74–0 count — legislation that would ensure that no length of time would pass whereby individuals would not have Medicaid coverage upon release from prison. The sponsor of HB460 was Rep. Spackman Moss (D-Salt Lake City). “The worst-case scenario is they die because they relapse,” Moss said. Currently, Medicaid is terminated when an individual goes to jail. Now, however, it will be available immediately upon that person’s release and be frozen only while the individual is incarcerated.

“This is a fairly critical thing,” said Rep. Brad Daw (R-Orem), a Republican representative from a county recently rated the most conservative in America.

Daw explained that in jail, the incarcerated “can be weaned off” drugs.

“Their drug tolerance goes down,” Daw said. “It’s when they get out (that results in) a problem.”

The “handoff between jail and getting out is a crucial time,” Daw said, saying the newly released sometimes “mess around trying to get Medicaid coverage … which would provide treatment.”

“They are already eligible for Medicaid,” Daw pointed out. “If they could have it upon the day they get out of jail, it will … save their lives.”

Moss cited a recent study that arguably regards health. It showed that suicide occurs at a high rate among those who have recently gotten out of jail, Moss said.

Rep. Phil Lyman (R-Blanding), who had been on probation for riding an ATV onto prohibited land, also spoke in favor of the bill.

“I don’t think there’s a group of people more deserving of compassion and consideration than those who are incarcerated,” Lyman said. “There’s people who are dealing with that who need a hand up … not to be piled up.”

Rep. Paul Ray (R-Clearfield) has run firing squad legislation before. Monday, he spoke in favor of the Medicaid-preservation bill.

“(House members) are not saying (the incarcerated) can get Medicaid in jail,” but it’s so “(state employees) don’t have to redo” enrollment, Ray said.

Ray indicated further that the proposed method would mean a “flip (of) the switch.”

At least two months will pass before an individual who has gotten out of jail will get Medicaid, it was said during bill deliberations.

— -

For more articles like this, please support Beehive Blunders at the Hero’s Journey Content Patreon page.