It’s a common-sense statement that shouldn’t be controversial: The individuals incarcerated in prisons and jails in New York deserve the same human rights and dignity as everyone else.
Unfortunately, when it comes to healthcare for inmates, even the fundamental necessities can be out of reach. Inmates often face delayed access to diagnosis and treatment, struggle to obtain necessary medications, and are often neglected when it comes to specific dietary needs. Thankfully, New York has a couple of programs in place that aim to improve conditions, albeit for a limited number of people.
Although it has yet to launch in New York, a pilot program allowing certain prisoners to enroll in Medicaid 90 days prior to their release is in the works, according to the state Department of Health. This program will mark the first time that Medicaid will provide coverage for incarcerated individuals, with the federal government offering a 90% funding match. Eligibility for the program will be limited to those with specific health issues, such as chronic conditions, and it aims to assist inmates in transitioning out of prison by providing them with a plan to manage their ailments and access to prescribed medication and necessary equipment for conditions like diabetes.
While limited, this program is an important starting point. The continuity of care it provides will be invaluable for those reintegrating into the community. As noted by Raga Justin of the Times Union, former inmates have a heightened risk of ending up in hospitals or psychiatric facilities during the weeks following their release.
Another program, designed to address the elevated risk of overdose during reentry, has been implemented in the state. A 2021 law mandates state and county correctional facilities to offer medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. However, as reported by Justin, this program has encountered obstacles such as worker shortages, inmate abuse of the system, and reporting requirements that lack sufficient details about the quality of care provided. Some facilities have even resisted offering “harm reduction” initiatives altogether.
Given the higher rates of addiction among incarcerated individuals, this program is crucial and must be implemented correctly. Conducting an audit would help identify areas that need improvement and enable the state to provide better support to ensure the program aligns with legislative intentions.
If fully implemented, these two initiatives can mark significant progress in enhancing the level of care and accountability for inmates’ well-being. However, they should also be integrated into a wider conversation about prison healthcare.
Last year, the nonprofit newsroom New York Focus highlighted the significant limitations in state oversight of prison healthcare, which currently only focuses on managing a few diseases. In 2019, the Legislature attempted to expand oversight, but it was vetoed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Private medical service providers used by jails also require closer examination, as for-profit jail healthcare providers have repeatedly been criticized for delivering low-quality services.
As New York grapples with the future of healthcare, including service cuts, nursing shortages, and the growing number of “care deserts,” it is imperative to include prisons and jails in the planning process. Incarcerated individuals are, first and foremost, people. If a healthy dose of empathy fails to remind us of this fact, then basic morality and duty certainly should.
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