The proposed bill, titled "The Medicaid Reentry Act," aims to amend Title 42 of the General Laws by adding Chapter 56.4, which focuses on maintaining Medicaid enrollment for individuals incarcerated in adult correctional institutions or juvenile correctional facilities. The bill emphasizes the importance of access to same-day and next-day physical and behavioral health services for successful reentry into the community. It stipulates that individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid upon incarceration will have their enrollment maintained for the first thirty days of their incarceration. Additionally, if an individual is not enrolled at the time of incarceration, the executive office of health and human services will assist in determining eligibility and enrolling them in Medicaid, also maintaining that enrollment for the first thirty days.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that the executive office of health and human services apply for a demonstration waiver under § 1115 of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid benefits to qualified inmates for at least thirty days prior to their release. This initiative aims to ensure that individuals have access to necessary health services upon reentry into the community, thereby facilitating a smoother transition. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.