State Policy On Medicaid Benefits For State Prison Inmates: A State-By-State Review

Executive Summary

The criminal justice system is a growing industry that houses incarcerated adults and juveniles. Many incarcerated adults and children have a considerable number of health care concerns. However, many inmates are not insured during their incarceration. This report provides an overview of the United States criminal justice system, federal legislation regarding Medicaid coverage for inmates, and answers the question: “which states terminate rather than suspend inmate benefits?”

The “Inmate Exclusion” policy under 1905 (a)(A) of the Social Security Act prohibits states from using Medicaid federal financial participation for health care services provided to adult inmates of a . . .