Nick Reisman reports at New York State of Politics that on Aug. 14 New York officials applied for a Medicaid waiver in order to provide health care to inmates about to be released from county jails and state prisons. The proposal would starts services a month before an inmate is released and would cover mental illnesses, HIV/AIDS, opioid use disorder, or multiple chronic physical or behavioral health conditions. “For incarcerated individuals leaving prisons and jails, it is critical that they receive the healthcare services they need for a seamless transition to life outside the correctional facility,” said Health Commissioner Howard Zucker. “Ensuring continuous healthcare coverage for criminal justice involved populations with serious health conditions will make our communities both healthier and safer.” The National Institute of Health reports that one in 70 people are hospitalized a week after they are released from a prison or jail, and one in 12 are hospitalized within three months. Both numbers are much higher rates than the average population. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.