COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ‘THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING 1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004 David Grosso Committee Member Councilmember At-Large Finance and Revenue CCtairperson, Commitee on Eaucation Health and Human Services March 2, 2026 Director Wayne Turnage Department of Healthcare Finance ‘442 4 Street, NW, 900S Washington, DC 20001 Dear Director 7Ginage: Ware ~ Over the past few months my staff and I have been researching how D.C. and other jurisdictions handle the Medicaid status of inmates and detainees. Until recently, thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia had a policy of terminating Medicaid coverage when an individual was incarcerated or detained. As-you know, when a state terminates instead of suspending coverage, it can take months before an individual is reapproved for Medicaid benefits upon release from detention. Because prisonjjail inmates suffer from chronic health conditions and mental illness at a higher rate than the general population, this gap in coverage can have a devastating impact to include the potential for re-arrest. The government has a strong interest in protecting the health and wellness of all of our residents, to include those incarcerated or detained. We want to ensure that we are providing access to quality medical care and treatment. For this reason, | was pleased to learn that at the start of the FY36 fiscal year, we changed our official policy to allow for the suspension of Me when our residents are incarcerated. This is an exciting development and | have a few questions related to how this change is currently being implemented 2. Of those exiting the jail or CTF each day, how many are eligible for Medicaid? ‘a, How many are being released with Medicaid activated and by whom? i. tis my understanding that Unity has been helping to link our returning Citizens to health coverage. Is an ESA specialist located at the jail? 1. IFYES, how many linkages is the ESA specialist averaging a day? 2. IFNO, why not? 2. When those incarcerated are transported to a hospital, it is my understanding that each hospital is to complete an emergency Medicaid form. Is this current practice?a. IF YES, how many applications have been completed and filed in a timely manner since October 1? b. If possible, please provide a list of all the hospitals that are completing the form and those that are not. c. How were hospitals notified of this new requirement? Does DHCF receive a daily update from the Department of Corrections identifying all inmates that will be released? This mechanism would seem to be a great way to ensure that we are properly coordinating care, but do you find that itis effective? a. Isthere abetter way to get at this without having to send our residents toa service provider to have their Medicaid reactivated? . When it comes to the BOP Halfway Houses, Medicaid cannot be reactivated until those under BOP custody leave the facility. Would it be possible for D.C. to obtain a Medicaid demonstration waiver for those in BOP halfway houses? The purpose for which is to try to get these individuals activated with Medicaid while still in BOP custody, especially since currently the District of Columbia pays all local dollars for the mental health services of those in the halfway houses, as BOP only covers physical health. 1am looking forward to receiving your responses by Tuesday, March 15, 2036. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact me. You can also contact my Legislative Director, Katrina Forrest, at (202) 724-8194 or at kforrest@dccouncil.us. Sincerely, PeBafe— David Grosso Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson, Committee on Education co: vette Alexander, Chair, Committee on Health & Human Services