Congress·In Committee·S. 1720

Bipartisan Bill Proposes $50 Million to Keep Medicaid Coverage for People in Jail Awaiting Trial

Due Process Continuity of Care Act

10 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

This bill allows people who are in jail but have not been convicted of a crime to keep their Medicaid health insurance. Currently, federal law usually cuts off Medicaid benefits the moment someone enters a correctional facility, even if they are just waiting for their court date.
The goal is to make sure people don't lose access to doctors or medications while they are in custody. This is especially important for people receiving treatment for mental health issues or drug addiction, as stopping these treatments suddenly can lead to serious health problems.
The bill provides $50 million in grants to help states prepare for this change. States can use the money to find more healthcare providers, improve their computer systems for medical records, and make sure the care provided in jails is high quality.
By keeping insurance active, the policy helps ensure that people stay healthier while they are in the legal system. It also helps local governments by allowing Medicaid to help pay for medical care that jails would otherwise have to pay for entirely on their own.

HealthcareCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

May 12, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

May 12, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

4 articles

Urban Milwaukee·over 1 year ago

Supervisors Push To End Medicaid Suspension For Incarcerated

Milwaukee County supervisors are calling for federal changes to allow pre-trial detainees to keep Medicaid. The resolution supports the Due Process Continuity of Care Act, noting that losing coverage before a conviction severes connections to mental health and substance use treatment.

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The Hill·about 2 years ago

Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Due Process Continuity of Care Act

The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus officially endorsed H.R. 3074, the Due Process Continuity of Care Act. The bill seeks to ensure that individuals held in jail awaiting trial do not lose their Medicaid benefits, upholding the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' regarding health care.

Politico·over 2 years ago

Tonko Lambasts Failure of Addiction Policy Bills to Meet the Moment

During an Energy and Commerce Committee markup, Rep. Paul Tonko criticized the exclusion of the Due Process Continuity of Care Act from a larger addiction package. He argued that stripping Medicaid from pre-trial detainees exacerbates the overdose crisis by interrupting life-saving treatments.

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Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 1510Related bill

Due Process Continuity of Care Act

Sep 8 — ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Dexter asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1510, a bill originally introduced by Representative Turner (TX), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.