The state wants the federal government to approve a stripped-down sign-up process that would give two months of Medicaid membership to released inmates who declare basic information such as residency and citizenship status. After that they would have to fully enroll, proving identification and income eligibility.
The idea, made in a draft application to the federal Department of Health and Human Services on Friday, is to reduce recidivism and expensive emergency room visits by linking ex-prisoners to mental health treatment and other community care. Details would be worked out through a process of public comments and negotiations with HHS. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, supports the proposal’s “overall direction,” a spokesman said.
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