Counties help inmates enroll for health coverage

Most California counties are helping people in jail or on probation to apply for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, according to a report released earlier this month.

The law expanded Medi-Cal eligibility, extending coverage to adults without children and anyone whose income is up to 133% of the federal poverty limit.

Advocates say giving health coverage to those coming out of incarceration can help limit recidivism rates.

The report, by Californians for Safety and Justice, includes responses from 44 of 58 counties, representing more than 96 percent of the state’s population. Of the counties surveyed, 31 reported they were assisting jail inmates in applying for health coverage. Ten said they were planning to start efforts to enroll inmates before the end of the year, and three said they would start in 2015.

Read the U-T story here.