The Baltimore Sun
By: Meredith Cohn
Fatal drug overdoses had been climbing for years when Maryland health officials decided to target a particularly vulnerable group: Those leaving prison or jail. They have high rates of addiction, but low rates of insurance for treatment. So the state sought federal permission to skip the usual paperwork to get them temporary Medicaid cards.
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State health officials say they still want to enroll those leaving in Medicaid. The jail remains a particular challenge because large numbers leave within hours or days. Observers and advocates say that’s where presumptive eligibility really could work. Detainees could attest to their income and legal status and be approved for long enough to start drug treatment and get attention for other medical conditions, said Tricia Brooks, research professor at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute.
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