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The Implications of the Affordable Care Act on People Involved with the Criminal Justice System

“This brief provides an overview of the implications of the ACA [Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act] for adults involved with the criminal justice system, as well as information about how professionals in the criminal justice field can help this population access the services now available to them” (p. 1). Sections of this publication cover: the opportunity to increase access to community health for offenders by removing financial barriers to obtaining health insurance; what ACA means to people involved with the criminal justice system-the range of provisions relevant for offenders; the “individual mandate” of ACA-the prescribed minimum level of health insurance; and the role of criminal justice agencies-determine eligibility, facilitate enrollment, and collaboration. The preparation of Illinois for the newly eligible correctional population for Medicaid is also highlighted.