Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
HB 1348
Brief Description: Providing medical assistance to incarcerated persons.
Sponsors: Representatives Davis, Schmick, Frame, Leavitt, Simmons, Valdez, Fitzgibbon, Orwall, Ortiz-Self, Slatter, Caldier, Stonier, Peterson, Ramel, Goodman, Taylor, Sutherland, Ryu, Hackney, Lovick, Barkis, Pollet, Macri, Callan, Santos, Ormsby, Tharinger, Riccelli, Lekanoff, Harris-Talley and Harris.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits a person's Medicaid eligibility from being affected by the person's incarceration status for up to 30 days.
Hearing Date: 2/4/21
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:

Medicaid is a program jointly administered by the federal and state government that provides health benefits to eligible individuals.  Federal law prohibits Medicaid benefits from being provided to a person who is incarcerated, except for selected inpatient services.  State law requires the suspension of Medicaid benefits for a person who is incarcerated, rather than the termination of such benefits.  The person must be allowed to apply for suspended Medicaid benefits, regardless of whether the person's release date is known.   
Summary of Bill:

Pending approval of necessary state plan amendments or waivers, a person's incarceration status may not affect his or her enrollment in Medicaid prior to 30 days of incarceration in a state or local correctional institution.  After incarceration for 30 days or more, the person's Medicaid benefits must be suspended, rather than terminated.
 
The Health Care Authority may seek any necessary state plan amendments or waivers to implement this requirement. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 25, 2021.
Effective Date: Upon state plan amendments or waivers to implement the requirements of the act.