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Committee backs resolution to shift final 90 days of inmate care to Medicaid
Summary
The Kenosha County Legislative Committee approved a resolution urging a policy change to allow Medicaid/Medicare to cover the final 90 days of care for incarcerated people with substance use disorders; Sheriff Dave Zoerner told the committee released inmates need continued medical and behavioral-health care. The motion passed unanimously.
The Kenosha County Legislative Committee on Feb. 18 approved a resolution urging that Medicaid or Medicare cover health care during the final 90 days before an incarcerated person’s release.
Supervisor Erin Decker introduced the resolution and was joined at the podium by Sheriff Dave Zoerner, who told the committee that "the reality is the inmates being released do need medical care for substance use, mental health, prescriptions." Zoerner clarified the resolution targets coverage beginning 90 days prior to release.
Supporters said the change aims to lower county costs while improving continuity of care at the point of reentry. Supervisor Mark Nordigan noted the county currently covers health care during incarceration and described the proposal as a limited, targeted change for the period immediately before release. Supervisor Sarah Kirby moved to approve the resolution; Nordigan seconded. The committee recorded an "All Aye" vote and the motion passed.
The resolution is a committee-level recommendation; the transcript does not specify whether the change requires state-level action or any legislative steps beyond county advocacy. The committee did not identify a statutory citation in the record; implementation pathways (for example, state program changes, waivers, or administrative action) were not specified.
