RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Expanding Medicaid and CHIP’s Role in Corrections
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) strengthens the nation’s criminal justice system and helps all state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system.
Since January 2025, Section 5121 required Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover some services provided in correctional facilities to youth and young adults immediately before and after they are released. These requirements were included as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 with a goal of improving the health and safety of youth and young adults leaving correctional facilities. Implementation will require active partnership between correctional facilities and state Medicaid programs.
During this webinar, experts from the Health and Reentry Project (HARP) will discuss the new requirements and next steps for implementation in jails and prisons. A panel of leaders in the criminal justice field will also share insights on initial policy implementation, as well as information about new resources HARP and BJA are publishing to support implementation.