Assembly Bill 720 (Skinner) Reducing Obstacles to Reentry

ISSUE The path to successful re-entry into society for formerly incarcerated individuals is riddled with obstacles. The cards are stacked against them: struggling with higher rates of poverty, chronic medical conditions, substance abuse issues and mental illnesses. Data shows that nearly 40% of jail inmates suffer from a chronic medical condition,1 and over half of state prison and jail inmates nationwide have experienced a mental health problem within the last year.2 These issues are compounded by the low rate of health insurance coverage for jail inmates. One recent study shows that up to 90% of people in jail do not have health insurance or the financial resources to pay for medical care.3 Existing law establishes for the MediCal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. Furthermore, the MediCal program is governed and funded by federal Medicaid program rules. To help ensure greater access, MediCal has been expanded to previously uncovered populations in California, including single men making less than 133% of the federal poverty rate. Under the expansion, a portion of individuals currently sentenced to county jail, and those recently released, are now eligible for MediCal, which would be fully paid for by the federal government until 2017, and 90% covered by federal dollars in 2018 and beyond. Research shows that formerly incarcerated individuals who have access to medical services upon release have reduced recidivism rates, increasing the likelihood they will become productive citizens. A 2009 California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation report showed a 61% recidivism reduction for female inmates who underwent substance abuse treatment and a 29% reduction for male inmates who underwent such treatment.4 AB 720 (SKINNER) AB 720 will assist formerly incarcerated individuals enroll into the MediCal program prior to being released. Additionally, costs associated with MediCal are covered using federal funds. AB 720 will address one of the main barriers to re-entry by helping formerly incarcerated inmates access physical, mental health and substance abuse services.
1

Rich JD, Wakeman SE, Dickman SL. Medicine and the epidemic of incarceration in the United States . N Engl J Med. 2011; 364(22):20812083 2 http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1DOJ.shtml 3 Californias Uninsured: Treading Water, California Healthcare Foundation. http://www.chcf.org/publications/2012/12/californiasuninsured#ixzz2LXteVdq9 4 California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Adult Programs Annual Report. Pg. 7 and 8. http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/DARS/docs/Master%20AR%20FINAL101409.pdf

Staff Contact: Tony Bui (916) 319-2015 or Tony.Bui@asm.ca.gov Sponsor: Californians for Safety and Justice