June 11, 2009

HR 2829: The Recidivism Reduction Act

House Resolution (HR) 2829, The Recidivism Reduction Act, seeks rapid restoration of federal disability benefits including Medicaid to people with mental illness who are re-entering the community following incarceration. A key change will require states to suspend, rather than terminate Medicaid eligibility for inmates with mental illness. Suspension is used in 10 states: Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, and Oregon. Currently states have the option to suspend; federal rules only require that states ensure that inmates do not receive federal benefits. Most states terminate benefits to avoid errors.