Reentry Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill would allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to incarcerated people during the 30 days before their release. Currently, federal law blocks Medicaid payments for anyone in a public institution, which often leaves people without healthcare when they walk out the door.
• The change is optional for states — it gives them the ability to cover inmates before release but doesn't force them to do so. This means the actual impact will depend on whether each state decides to take advantage of the new option.
• The bill requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) to deliver a detailed report to Congress within 18 months. This report must examine the quality of healthcare inside prisons and jails, including how well correctional facilities meet standards compared to regular community hospitals.
• The report must also include recommendations on how to better connect released individuals to community health services and addiction treatment, addressing a major gap that often leads people back into the justice system.
• The bill has strong bipartisan support, introduced by a Democrat (Tonko) and backed by numerous Republicans and Democrats. This unusual coalition increases its chances of advancing, though it still faces a long legislative road ahead.