WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley issued the following press release:
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today reintroduced the Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act, legislation that would protect the continuity of federal health benefits under Medicaid, Medicare, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Veterans Affairs for Americans who have been detained while they await trial and, in many cases, remain in custody because they cannot afford bail. These protections would make it easier for people to continue to access essential healthcare, including substance use disorder and mental health treatment, while inc...