Many of the people sent to state prison would qualify for Medicaid under the new Federal expansion of the Affordable Care Act. But, by law, once someone is convicted and sent to state prison, the state is on the hook for all of their care. Still, the Vermont Department of Corrections is working hard to ensure that as many people as possible are signed up for health insurance both before they are convicted, and as soon as they are released.
Dr. Delores Burroughs-Biron is Health Services Director for the Department of Corrections. She spoke with Vermont Edition about how the Affordable Care Act has affected the population she works with.
