View this panel discussion to gain firsthand insights into how states are navigating waiver implementation, addressing systemic barriers, and improving health outcomes for justice-involved populations.
What you'll learn:
- Key Considerations & Challenges:
Hear from states about the unique circumstances they faced when applying for the waiver and the biggest obstacles they’ve navigated. - Implementation Strategies & Lessons Learned:
Gain insights into how states are structuring their programs, coordinating care, and overcoming early hurdles in implementation. - Future of Justice-Involved Healthcare:
Understand the impact of policy changes, claims coordination, and the evolving Medicaid landscape under the new administration.
Participants
- Rae Bauman, Program Director Care Management, Acentra Health
- Ronna Cole, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Services, Washington Department of Corrections
- Lisa Flynn, Health Services Administrator, Washington Department of Corrections
- Verlon Johnson, Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer, Acentra Health and Chair, MACPAC
- Jason McGill, Assistant Director, Medicaid Programs Division, Washington Health Care Authority
- Tyron Nixon, Transformation Implementation Manager, Washington Health Care Authority
- Ted Ryle, LICSW, MSW, MA, Clinical Director/Juvenile Rehabilitation Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- Kyle Sawyer, Assistant Director of the Division of Public Policy and Strategic Planning, AZHCCCS
- Meghan Vanderstelt, Director Program Policy, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
- Vikki Wachino, Founder & Executive Director, Health and Reentry Project (HARP), Commonwealth Fund
Read the transcript
Note: This is a polished transcript of the full session and is not intended to be a verbatim record.
Opening and policy context
[Approx. 00:00] The session opens by framing Medicaid reentry and transitions of care as a critical opportunity to improve health outcomes for justice-involved populations. The discussion emphasizes the need for stronger coordination across healthcare, corrections, and community-based partners.
[Approx. 04:30] The conversation then turns to policy momentum, including the work of the Health and Reentry Project (HARP) and 1115 waivers, which are creating new pathways for states to provide targeted Medicaid services up to 90 days before release. The panel highlights this as a significant shift in how states can support continuity of care during reentry.
Continuity of care and health outcomes
[Approx. 08:00] Vikki Wachino discusses why continuity of care matters, particularly for individuals leaving incarceration who face elevated risks related to mortality, emergency department use, behavioral health conditions, substance use disorder, and chronic illness. Medicaid reentry planning is positioned as a practical strategy to reduce fragmentation and improve access to needed services.
[Approx. 12:00] A central theme throughout the discussion is that better health outcomes depend on connecting individuals to care before release and sustaining those connections after reentry. The session underscores the importance of person-centered planning, care coordination, and timely access to treatment and support services.
State implementation groundwork
[Approx. 20:00] States describe the foundational work already underway to prepare for Medicaid reentry implementation. This includes shifting from Medicaid termination to enrollment suspension, strengthening interagency coordination, and developing data-sharing practices across healthcare and corrections systems.
[Approx. 25:00] The panel also highlights operational strategies such as placing enrollment specialists in correctional settings, expanding targeted case management, and creating processes that help individuals maintain or regain coverage as they transition back into the community. These early efforts are presented as important building blocks for broader waiver implementation.
Care coordination and community partnership
[Approx. 30:00] State examples focus on how care coordination models are being structured to support continuity of care before and after release. Washington’s use of community hubs and Native hubs is highlighted as an example of equity-focused coordination that brings together managed care organizations, community partners, and accountable health networks.
[Approx. 35:00] The discussion emphasizes that successful reentry planning depends on collaboration across agencies and provider types. Managed care coordination, shared planning, boosting IT infrastructure, and clearly defined handoffs are described as essential to improving transitions of care and supporting health equity for justice-involved populations.
Service delivery, reentry supports, and lived experience
[Approx. 40:00] The conversation turns to the service needs most commonly seen during reentry, including behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, chronic disease management, and telehealth-enabled support. The panel recommends prioritizing data to track progress and provide accurate impact reporting.
[Approx. 50:00] The panel addresses broader reentry supports, including medications for opioid use disorder, housing, employment, peer counselors, credible messenger programs, and the integration of lived experience into program design. These elements are presented as critical to building more responsive and effective reentry strategies. Warm handoffs and pre-release planning are described as important ways to improve access and reduce gaps in care.
Infrastructure, planning, and closing takeaway
[Approx. 60:00] During the Q&A session, the panel focuses on prioritization of services and implementation readiness. Key themes include infrastructure investment, continuity of care, billing alignment, provider readiness, data-sharing agreements, and the need to support justice partners that may not operate within traditional Medicaid-aligned systems.
[Approx. 65:00] The closing takeaway is that Medicaid reentry success depends on long-term planning, operational coordination, and strong cross-system partnerships. States that invest early in governance, metrics, care handoffs, and community collaboration will be better positioned to improve transitions of care and health outcomes for justice-involved populations.