A bill to remove limitations under Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and the Department of Veterans Affairs on benefits for persons in custody pending disposition of charges.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · August 4, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
The Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act would allow people awaiting trial in custody to maintain health insurance coverage through Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, removing current rules that cut off benefits once someone is detained. Currently, these federal programs exclude people in custody, even if they have not been convicted and are simply awaiting trial disposition. The bill affects hundreds of thousands of people held in local jails and detention facilities nationwide, as well as veterans in similar situations. The changes would take effect within 60 days after the bill is enacted, except for the Veterans Affairs modification, which takes effect immediately upon enactment. No new federal funding is specified in the legislation, as the changes primarily adjust existing program rules to extend coverage already provided by these insurance programs.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.