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nonservice elements, as applicable. The Implementation Plan will also outline any potential operational challenges that the state anticipates and the state’s intended approach to resolving these and other challenges the state may encounter in implementing the reentry demonstration initiative. The operational plan requirement in section 1902(a)(84)(D) of the Act is satisfied by the state’s Implementation Plan. The state is still required to provide coverage and otherwise meet state plan requirements with respect to any population or service specified in section 1902(a)(84)(D) of the Act that is not covered under this demonstration.
The reentry demonstration initiative is not intended to shift current correctional facility health care costs to the Medicaid program. Section 5032(b) of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act (P.L. 155-271) makes clear that the purpose of the demonstration opportunity contemplated under that statute is “to improve care transitions for certain individuals who are soon-to-be former inmates of a public institution and who are otherwise eligible to receive medical assistance under title XIX.” Furthermore, demonstration projects under section 1115 of the Act must be likely to promote the objectives of title XIX, which includes the inmate payment exclusion, in recognition that the correctional authority bears the costs for health care furnished to incarcerated individuals. This demonstration does not absolve correctional authorities in Pennsylvania of their Constitutional obligation to ensure needed health care is furnished to inmates in their custody and is not intended as a means to transfer the financial burden of that obligation from a tribal, state, or local correctional authority to the Medicaid program.
Pennsylvania agrees to reinvest the total amount of new federal matching funds for the reentry demonstration initiative received under this demonstration into activities or initiatives that increase access to or improve the quality of health care services for individuals who are incarcerated (including individuals who are soon-to-be released) or were recently released from incarceration, or for physical and behavioral health needs that may help prevent or reduce the likelihood of criminal justice system involvement. Consistent with this requirement, Pennsylvania will develop and submit a Reinvestment Plan to CMS outlining how the federal matching funds under the demonstration will be reinvested. The Reinvestment Plan should align with the goals of the state’s reentry demonstration initiative. It should detail the state’s plans to increase access to or improve the quality of health care services for those who have recently been released, and those who may be at higher risk of future criminal justice system involvement, particularly due to untreated behavioral health conditions. The Reinvestment Plan should describe the activities or initiatives selected by Pennsylvania for investment and a timeline for implementation. Any investment in carceral health care must add to and/or improve the quality of health care services and resources for individuals who are incarcerated and those who are soon to be released from carceral settings, and not supplant existing state or local spending on such services and resources. The reinvestment plan may include the services provided to eligible juveniles under section 1902(nn)(2) of the Act, who are covered under this demonstration.
2) HRSN Services
CMS is authorizing the state to offer coverage of certain services that address HRSN for qualifying beneficiaries, as evidence indicates that these benefits are critical drivers of an