Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act

Edward J. Markey

Democrat · MA · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Alex Padilla (D-CA)Original· 2026-08-04
• Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)Original· 2026-08-04
• Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)Original· 2026-08-04
• Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)Original· 2026-08-04
• Jeff Merkley (D-OR)Original· 2026-08-04
• Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)Original· 2026-08-04

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

2026-08-04

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-08-04. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5231 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5231 To remove limitations under Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and the Department of Veterans Affairs on benefits for persons in custody pending disposition of charges. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 4, 2026 Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Booker, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To remove limitations under Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and the Department of Veterans Affairs on benefits for persons in custody pending disposition of charges. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act''. SEC. 2. REMOVAL OF INMATE LIMITATION ON BENEFITS UNDER MEDICAID, MEDICARE, CHIP, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) Medicaid.-- (1) In general.--Section 1902(a)(84)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(84)(A)) is amended by striking ``(or in the case of such an individual who is an eligible juvenile (as defined in subsection (nn)(2)) and a State electing the option described in the subdivision (A) following the last numbered paragraph of section 1905(a), during such period beginning after the disposition of charges with respect to such individual)'' and inserting ``(except for any portion of such period during which the individual is in custody pending disposition of charges)''. (2) Medical assistance.--Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended in the subdivision (A) that follows the last numbered paragraph of such section by striking ``, or, at the option of the State, for an individual who is an eligible juvenile (as defined in section 1902(nn)(2)), while such individual is an inmate of a public institution (as defined in section 1902(nn)(3)) pending disposition of charges'' and inserting ``, or in the case of care or services furnished to an individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges''. (b) Medicare.--Section 1862(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(3)) is amended by inserting ``in the case of items or services furnished to individuals who are in custody pending disposition of charges,'' after ``1880(e),''. (c) CHIP.-- (1) Exceptions to exclusion of children who are inmates of a public institution.--Section 2110(b)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397jj(b)(7)) is amended to read as follows: ``(7) Exceptions to exclusion of children who are inmates of a public institution.--In the case of a child who is an inmate of a public institution, the child shall not be considered to be described in paragraph (2)(A)-- ``(A) during the period that the child is an inmate of such institution pending disposition of charges; and ``(B) during the 30 days prior to the release of the child from such institution with respect to the screenings, diagnostic services, referrals, and case management services otherwise covered under the State child health plan (or waiver of such plan) that the State is required to provide under section 2102(d)(2).''. (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 2102(d)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1397bb(d)(1)) is amended-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(except for any portion of such period during which the child or pregnant woman is in custody pending disposition of charges)'' after ``is such an inmate''; and (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``exception'' and inserting ``exceptions''. (d) Modification of Inmate Limitation on Health Care Benefits From Department of Veterans Affairs.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall modify section 17.38(c)(5) of title…

38, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulations, to ensure that the exclusion of veterans who are inmates from eligibility for health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs under such section does not apply to veterans who are in custody pending disposition of charges. (e) Effective Dates.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made in this Act shall take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter that begins more than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act and shall apply to items and services furnished for periods beginning on or after such date. (2) Department of veterans affairs.--Subsection (d) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. <all>

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