Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) Advocacy Toolkit
Author
Blaire Bryant
Brett Mattson
Upcoming Events
Related News
Across America, the double standard created by the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) is putting undue strain on our local judicial, law enforcement, public safety and human services systems. This error in legislation and federal policy results in higher rates of recidivism, increased healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes for residents. This policy drives the over-incarceration of those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders, as county jails have become the largest behavioral health facilities in the nation.
Below, find resources designed to help county officials educate Congress, the administration and the public on the importance providing access to federal health benefits for those awaiting trial and verdict decisions.
Write Your Member of Congress
Download NACo's letter template and send a letter to Congress written on county letterhead, either through the U.S. Postal Service or via email, that explains why it is critical to your county that Congress amends the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy. Information on office locations and contact numbers can be found on members’ websites. Links to U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate websites can be found below.
Publish a Letter to the Editor
Connect with your local media outlets to highlight the importance of Congress to amend the MIEP and the negative health and economic impact it has on counties. Write and submit op-ed columns, letters to the editor or guest commentaries to local newspapers outlining the importance of amending MIEP to your county and urging Congress to take action. Below are issue-specific talking points to consider. Remember, your ability to craft and tailor the message to fit your community is very important to publishing an op-ed. County-specific examples and other local information will significantly enhance your advocacy. NACo’s Media Relations Guide for Counties is also available to assist county officials with local media outreach.
Engage Your Members of Congress on Social Media
Demonstrate how counties are providing important health care services to justice involved individuals through pictures and stories to encourage Congress to amend the #MIEP. Most Senators and Representatives are on Twitter and monitor their Twitter feeds regularly. The easiest way to find your members of Congress is to utilize the search function on Twitter or by visiting your members’ website. In addition to reaching out to your members of Congress on Twitter, consider targeting House and Senate leadership. You can keep NACo in the loop on your social media advocacy by being sure to include both @NACoTweets and #MIEP in your tweets.
Sample Tweets
- 11 million individuals cycle through 3,100 local jails each year and many lose access to federal health benefits while they still await trial due to the #MIEP
- In #county jails across the country, #MIEP unfairly revokes pre-trial detainees’ federal health benefits such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance program
- #Counties operate 2,875 of our nation’s local jails and the federal government forces counties into undue financial and administrative burdens to cover the cost of pre-trial detainees’ loss of federal health benefits under #MIEP
- 60% of the 11 million individuals that cycle through local jails each year are pre-trial detainees that unfairly lose access to federal health benefits due to #MIEP
- The #MIEP causes disruptions in primary and behavioral health care access for justice-involved populations enrolled in federal health programs. This discontinuity in care contributes to detrimental health outcomes and increases rates of jail recidivism.
- Uninterrupted health care helps those who enter the criminal justice system break the cycle of recidivism exacerbated by untreated physical and mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Congress must #AmendtheMIEP
- Termination of health care coverage under #MIEP results in poorer health outcomes, increased recidivism and higher taxpayer costs to #counties
- Congress must amend Section 1905(a)(A) of the Social Security Act to allow for the continuation of federal health benefits for pre-trial detainees #MIEP
- Innocent until proven guilty. Having access to federal health benefits while awaiting trial with presumed innocence is an individual’s constitutional right #AmendtheMIEP
- Congress can help #counties break the cycle of recidivism caused by untreated mental illness and substance use disorders by amending the #MIEP to allow access to federal health benefits for those awaiting trial
Additional MIEP Resources
Data sharing boosts results, saves money in Orange County, Calif.
A growing number of high-needs residents cycling through health care and justice systems prompted Orange County, Calif. to implemented a data-sharing platform and care coordination program that has since reduced costs and improved outcomes for residents.
Warren County links childcare and workforce
Leaders from Warren County made the connection that workforce development systems in the county can be a strong partner in childcare initiatives.
New federal measures aim to enhance online protection for youth
On July 30, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, aiming to shield children from online dangers.
County Countdown – August 12, 2024
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
SAMHSA releases new data on rates of mental illness and substance use disorder in the U.S.
On July 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which provides data on rates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state and local level.
State Funding for County Behavioral Health Crisis Services: Examples and Opportunities
This webinar is hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts and the MacArthur Foundation.
Unlock the Power of CJCCs: Responsive Policies Through Community Engagement
Active community collaboration is crucial for shaping county operations and policy priorities. Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) are one approach to ensure that community members are involved in county governance. Many counties form CJCCs to identify systemic challenges and work across stakeholders to guide local policy to improve public safety.
In this webinar, NACo explores how ongoing and consistent community engagement enhances the impact of CJCCs and how these bodies can serve as effective tools for county leaders to actively involve their residents. Learn from real-world examples and discover strategies to create a more responsive and inclusive criminal legal system.
Unlock the Power of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils is NACo’s series on how counties can develop and leverage CJCCs to more effectively administer and strengthen their criminal legal system. Learn more at NACo’s CJCC Resource Hub.
Stage CARES (Community Abatement Resources & Economic Solutions): Patent-Pending, Evidence-Based Tools to Solve the Opioid Epidemic at County and State Levels
Join us for a NACo Sponsored webinar to spotlight Stage CARES – Community Abatement Resources Economic Solutions. CARES is designed to help counties and states effectively solve their opioid epidemic through innovative, evidence-based tools and strategies. This session will share insights from national and local leaders.
Discover how CARES patent-pending technology provides data-driven recommendations along with program cost estimates from Stage Analytics’ Co-founders and Principals, Dr. Caleb Alexander, and Dr. Bill Padula.
Learn how to develop evidence-based plans and budgets for your county’s opioid abatement strategy.
Gain practical knowledge from local leaders on how CARES enables efficient collaboration and coordination among stakeholders.
Explore the platform’s capabilities in collecting, measuring, and visualizing real-time, compliant data to meet settlement requirements.
This webinar offers a unique opportunity to see firsthand how Stage CARES can empower your community with the tools and insights needed to solve your opioid epidemic. Don’t miss out—reserve your spot today!