People transitioning from prison to society face many obstacles, including health care, and a new collaboration in Oklahoma is working to expand health care services.
State leaders say there are too many gaps in health care services for people re-entering society from prison, and the state was selected for the program to learn how to expand those options.
“The transition from prison to community life is especially difficult,” said Emily Long, public information officer for the Oklahoma State Health Department. “Our mission is to provide health care services to Oklahomans regardless of their ability to pay.”
Long said her office also manages health care for people in the criminal justice system. SoonerCare starts immediately after someone is released from prison, but state leaders want to improve the options.
“There’s kind of a gap there,” Long said.
Oklahoma is one of six states selected for the Medicaid and Corrections Policy Academy, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health is currently partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse for the academy.
“This is a really exciting opportunity,” Long said. “Now we’ll develop a plan of action to enhance care coordination. We think effective transitions to community health care services are really important to improving return outcomes.”
Long said the program will give the state an opportunity to expand services.
“This waiver allows states to provide Medicaid coverage for certain services up to 90 days prior to discharge,” Long said.
Long said he wants to strengthen care for people who are at increased risk of hospitalization and ensure they have the resources to keep them safe as they start their new lives.
“Through this work, we can transform the lives of justice-involved individuals during and after incarceration and ultimately build a stronger Oklahoma,” Long said.
The initiative follows recommendations from Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Modern Justice Task Force, and the state plans to launch the academy in the coming months.
