Senate Bill 598 aims to enhance healthcare access for incarcerated individuals by requiring the Department of Health Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the federal Department of Health and Human Services. This waiver would allow DHS to implement a demonstration project that provides prerelease coverage under the Medical Assistance program for case management services, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and a 30-day supply of prescription medications for up to 90 days prior to an individual's release, provided they are otherwise eligible for coverage. The bill mandates that the waiver request be submitted by January 1, 2027.

If the waiver is approved, the bill stipulates that DHS must reimburse both the federal and nonfederal shares of the services provided to incarcerated individuals, as permitted under the waiver. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that individuals transitioning from incarceration have access to necessary healthcare services, thereby potentially improving their health outcomes and reducing recidivism.