As you know, NYAPRS has been working with state and federal officials and our colleagues to help address one of the most daunting barriers to successful release from prison and jail: prompt access to healthcare and community readiness and follow up services. We’ve long pushed for the restoration of Medicaid benefits 30 days before release and were very grateful when such a measure was included in the House’s recently approved budget bill, thanks in large part of the leadership of New York’s own Congressman Paul Tonko.
Now we need the Senate to show their support and include the Medicaid Reentry Act in the federal budget bill that is being negotiated at this very time. Far too many Americans with substance use addictions are committing suicide in the 2 weeks follow discharge without proper care.
TOWARD THOSE ENDS, WE ALL NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW, BEFORE 10AM THIS MORNING!
As a New York organization working to promote greater access to health and justice, we urging your organization to sign on to a letter urging the Senate Majority Leader, New York’s Chuck Schumer, to see it move through the Senate.
The Medicaid Reentry Act would allow Medicaid to finance health care (including physical, mental health, and substance use disorder care) in the last 30 days of incarceration, improving continuity of care and health outcomes for people returning to the community from jails and prison in New York and around the country.
As the Senate moves toward consideration of the Build Back Better budget reconciliation package, which currently includes the Medicaid Reentry Act, we need Majority Leader Schumer to ensure the Medicaid Reentry Act is included in the final reconciliation package.
To sign on your organization to the below letter, please go to: https://forms.gle/oJAcNXXSd52K5pS49.
The sign-on deadline is 10:00AM tomorrow October 15th.
Please email Gabrielle de la Gueronniere (gdelagueronniere@lac-dc.org) with any questions. Thank you!