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RES -2023 - 065 r <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MEDICAID AVAILABILITY PRIOR TO RE - ENTRY FOR <br /> INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS <br /> Whereas, Orange County seeks to improve the health and well - being for all North <br /> Carolinians , and for Orange County residents in particular , and this commitment includes <br /> advancing health access by reducing disparities for historically marginalized populations ; <br /> and <br /> Whereas, Orange County has a demonstrated . commitment to incarcerated individuals <br /> and their successful re - entry back into the community . The Orange County Local Reentry <br /> Council ( LRC ) has been in operation since 2018 through the Criminal Justice Resource <br /> Department with two County positions managing the LRC and supporting Orange County <br /> residents returning to the community from incarceration . In addition , two community <br /> health workers are employed in the Orange County Health Department with the Formerly <br /> Incarcerated Transitions ( FIT) program supporting people re - entering with chronic health <br /> issues ; and <br /> Whereas, Orange County has a long history of seeking to reduce barriers to re - entry from <br /> prior incarceration in areas such as employment , housing , transportation , harm reduction <br /> and health care ; and <br /> Whereas, formerly- incarcerated individuals , who are disproportionately people of color , <br /> are at a higher risk for poor health outcomes , injury , overdose and death than other <br /> community members . These individuals are particularly vulnerable during the period <br /> immediately following release from a correctional institution . Over half of all people in <br /> state prisons and two thirds of individuals in jails have a substance use disorder , 30 % <br /> have identified physical health needs and 50 % have other mental health needs . <br /> Significantly , individuals leaving incarceration are 40 times more likely to die of a drug <br /> overdose in the first two weeks of release than the general population ; and <br /> Whereas, due to restrictions in federal Medicaid law , states have historically been unable <br /> to draw down Medicaid funding to provide health care services to individuals when they <br /> are incarcerated ( known as the " Medicaid inmate exclusion " ) . This creates a serious <br /> coverage gap when individuals are released and severely impacts health , stability and <br /> recidivism ; and <br /> Whereas, vital legislation and policy reform is being considered in the United States <br /> Congress and efforts underway at the NC Department of Health and Human Services <br /> ( NCDHHS ) to address this Medicaid exclusion . The Reentry Act ( HR 2400/S 1165 ) <br /> proposes allowing Medicaid payments for medical services provided to individuals <br /> incarcerated in prisons and jails at 30 days prior to their release . The Due Process <br /> Continuity of Care Act ( HR 3074/ S 971 ) amends the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy <br /> to allow for Medicaid coverage of health services for pre -trial detainees and provides $ 50 <br /> million in planning grants to states . Finally , NCDHHS is seeking federal authority through <br />