Board unanimously adopts resolution to support two health care access acts

During its meeting on July 20, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Medicaid Reentry Act and the Due Process Continuity of Care Act. In many states, federal benefits – including Medicaid – are completely terminated instead of being suspended when individuals are placed into county jails. The resolution, authored by Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford), supports two bipartisan bills currently in Congress that would change this standard.

“Uninterrupted health care helps those who enter the criminal justice system break the cycle of recidivism exacerbated by untreated mental illnesses and substance abuse,” Nelson said. “When we support access to mental health services for everyone, our communities are healthier and safer.”

Currently, when federal benefits are terminated instead of suspended, it can take months for non-convicted jail inmates to reenroll and regain their benefits once they are released. Providing access to federal health benefits for those awaiting trial and verdict decisions could help counties break the cycle of recidivism caused or exacerbated by untreated mental illness and/or substance-use disorders by preventing interruptions to care.

“As head of government affairs for Major County Sheriffs’ of America, we have been pushing for this continuity of care initiative for years and I greatly appreciate the commission’s support,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “Working together, I am hopeful we can obtain better care and better outcomes for those as they transition out of our care and custody.”

Medicaid is the single largest source of funding for behavioral health services in the United States, and the number of inmates who are eligible for health coverage has increased as Medicaid expands in many states.

“As county officials, we’re here to connect our residents with government support,” Commissioner Janet Jackson (D-Southfield) said. “These bills make it easier for that support to continue once those in jail are released, and I am proud to back this bipartisan legislation.”

For additional information about the Board of Commissioners, visit www.oakgov.com/boc.