U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D, CT and Cory Booker, D, N.J., and U.S. Rep.Tony Cárdenas, D, CA, have introduced a new bill called the At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2014.
This legislation would ensure that youth who spend time in the juvenile justice system receive the health care they need once they leave.
According to research by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the vast majority of young people who enter the juvenile justice system suffer from at least one form of mental illness.
Additionally, many are impacted by multiple disorders that inhibit their ability to function in society once they have served their time.
These young people – many of whom come from impoverished backgrounds – desperately need treatment for serious mental illnesses and other health care issues once they leave the juvenile justice system.
States oftentimes terminate health coverage for young people in the juvenile justice system and this lack of coverage can last even after they are released from custody.
The At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2014 would prohibit states from terminating an eligible child’s Medicaid coverage while in custody.
Under this legislation, states would be also be required to ensure that an eligible young person is enrolled in Medicaid once he or she is released from the juvenile justice system.