Emmer Supports Bill Providing Mental Health Coverage for Inmates

Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer is co-sponsoring a bill that would provide mental health care benefits for people in jail.

The measure would amend the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy which currently denies coverage to pre-trial detainees.

Emmer says, “treatment isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” for the more than 20 percent of inmates in our jails with mental illness and substance use disorder.

The legislation claims that denying coverage to pre-trial detainees conflicts with their constitutional right to due process.