Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act

This legislation seeks to ensure that individuals in custody pending the disposition of charges maintain access to crucial health benefits under federal programs. It specifically amends the Social Security Act to remove exclusions for this population from Medicaid , Medicare , and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) . For CHIP, the bill clarifies that children in public institutions awaiting trial are not considered excluded and also mandates coverage for screenings and services 30 days prior to their release. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modify existing regulations, ensuring that veterans in custody pending charges are not excluded from receiving health care benefits from the VA . Most of the amendments will take effect on the first day of the calendar quarter beginning more than 60 days after enactment, while the VA provision becomes effective immediately. This measure aims to improve health outcomes for individuals awaiting trial by maintaining their access to necessary medical care.