Santa Clara County enhances Medi Cal services for incarcerated individuals pre-release

Santa Clara County is making strides in improving healthcare access for individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community. During the Public Safety and Justice Committee meeting on May 8, 2025, officials highlighted the progress of the CalAIM Justice Initiative (CalAIM JI), which aims to connect incarcerated individuals with medical services.

Since the initiative's launch in October 2024, over 4,200 adults and nearly 200 youth have benefited from Medi-Cal prerelease services. However, concerns were raised about the timing of these services, particularly the 90-day pre-release activation period. Many individuals in custody do not have a confirmed release date, which complicates the timely provision of medical benefits. Currently, only about 10% of the incarcerated population has a known release date, prompting discussions on the need for immediate access to healthcare upon release.

Committee members emphasized the importance of streamlining processes to ensure that individuals receive necessary medical care without delays. The discussion included the challenges of suspending and reinstating Medi-Cal benefits during incarceration, which often leads to gaps in coverage. Officials are working to enhance communication and coordination between various agencies to ensure that benefits are activated as soon as individuals enter custody and reinstated promptly upon their release.

The committee also discussed the prioritization of individuals who require additional support during their reentry into the community. A new care coordination team is being established to identify those in need of enhanced services, including referrals from public defenders and self-referrals from individuals anticipating release.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare access for all individuals, regardless of their incarceration status. As the CalAIM JI initiative continues to evolve, officials are optimistic about its potential to improve health outcomes and reduce recidivism rates in Santa Clara County.