BILL NO A06851
SAME AS No same as
SPONSOR Boyland
COSPNSR
MLTSPNSR Cook
Amd S618, Cor L
Provides that correctional institution officials shall provide instruction to
and assist certain prisoners, at least ninety days prior to their release, to
apply to receive Medicaid after their release.
BILL NUMBER:A6851
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the correction law, in relation to
requiring officials in corrections facilities to provide information
to and instruct and assist certain prisoners in applications for
Medicaid
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF THE BILL:
To assist certain prisoners in applications for Medicaid prior to
their release.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 618 of the correction law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 4, requiring officials of correctional institutions to
provide information and instruction to assist prisoners who will be
released from the correctional institutions in preparing and applying
for the Medicaid program. Officials shall notify all such prisoners,
at least ninety days prior to their release, of the Medicaid program,
how to apply to receive Medicaid so that they may receive it after
their release.
JUSTIFICATION:
Today's prison inmate receives comprehensive medical care while they
serve their time in our correctional institutions. Chronic illnesses,
drug addictions, and HIV / AIDS are all treated with trained medical
staffs. However when a inmate with an illness is released, they often
have no immediate medical coverage. Many treatment programs require a
systematic prescription dosage, whether daily or monthly, and
interruption will negate the effectiveness of such programs. Filing
for the health insurance program known as Medicaid can be difficult
for released inmates since they are given no formal instruction. For
individuals with diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, the delay in receiving
coverage from Medicaid can be life threatening. Having inmates
instructed on how to receive Medicaid at least ninety days to their
release will help diminish the processing time. This will help insure
that inmates will receive the medical care they need upon their
release.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.834 - 2006 A.5474; 2008
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to state government.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
