By Marc A. Levin and Khalil A. Cumberbatch

People leaving our jails and prisons are handcuffed by a lack of resources and a stigma that makes it hard to find gainful employment and stable housing. There is no public policy panacea for these challenges, but Congress is now weighing a prescription for ensuring formerly incarcerated people are healthy enough to make the most of their freedom.

Upon incarceration, individuals lose federal health benefits under programs such as Medicaid. Pending bipartisan legislation known as the Medicaid Reentry Act would promote continuity of care by ensuring that those eligible for coverage can begin to receive health benefits up to 30 days prior to release.