II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2626 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 17, 2019 Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To remove limitations on inmate eligibility for Medicare, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and veteran's health benefits.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Restoring Health Benefits for Justice-Involved Individuals Act of 2019 . 2. Removal of inmate limitation on benefits under Medicare, CHIP, and veterans' health benefits (a) Medicare Section 1862(a)(3) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(3) ) is amended by inserting in the case of services furnished to individuals who are in custody pending disposition of charges, after 1880(e), . (b) CHIP Section 2110(b)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397jj(b)(2)(A) ) is amended by inserting (except as an individual in custody pending disposition of charges) after inmate of a public institution . (c) Provision of health care from Department of Veterans Affairs to incarcerated veterans pending disposition of charges The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not exclude a veteran from the receipt of health care under the laws administered by the Secretary, including hospital care and outpatient care, solely because the veteran is incarcerated pending the disposition of charges. (d) Effective date This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to items, services, and health care benefits furnished for periods beginning on or after such date.