Legislator co-sponsors bill on Medicaid for incarcerated people

An incarcerated person’s Medicaid may remain unaffected for the first 30 days of incarceration if a bill in this year’s state legislative session is signed into law.

House Bill 1348 would suspend an incarcerated person’s Medicaid status only after 30 days of their incarceration had passed. Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, is the primary sponsor of HB 1348. Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, representing Legislative District 9, is a co-sponsor of the bill.

The bill states current state law means an incarcerated person’s Medicaid benefits are suspended upon incarceration. A majority of incarcerated people are held for less than 30 days; so, HB 1348 would prevent automatic suspension of Medicaid for them.

Suspending Medicaid causes delays when reinstating it after an incarcerated person’s release. Davis said during a virtual legislative hearing Thursday it takes 48 to 72 hours for Medicaid to be reinstated when a person is released. She heard stories from individuals unable to get medication because their Medicaid had not been reinstated.

Schmick said in an interview with the Herald HB 1348 would benefit people coming out of local correctional facilities. More specifically, those who need to get their medication right away.

“I think that this (bill) is very helpful,” Schmick said.

Ethan Frenchman, an attorney for Disability Rights Washington, testified in support of HB 1348 during the hearing. He said maintaining Medicaid for incarcerated people is a humane, equitable and cost-effective policy.

“The bill would remove a substantial, unnecessary hurdle that keeps people from getting the care they desperately need,” Frenchman said. “It reduces inequities that desperately impact people of color and people with disabilities.”

Frenchman said a policy similar to HB 1348 has already been adopted in states like New Mexico, Ohio and Massachusetts. The bill is a “huge step forward.”

Yvette Maganya, government relations manager for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, also testified in support of HB 1348 during the hearing.

Maganya said people of color and those who come from low-income communities are overrepresented in jails and prisons. Bills like HB 1348 would not only enable continuous Medicaid coverage but also help reduce health inequities.

About half of Planned Parenthood’s patients use Medicaid, Maganya said, which allows them to have access to things like birth control wellness exams, behavioral health services and substance use treatment.

“These services are critical for all people but especially for people who are incarcerated,” Maganya said.

Representatives had not voted on HB 1348 as of Thursday.