S. 5231 — Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act

This section extends Medicaid eligibility for medical assistance to individuals in custody pending disposition of charges, removing the prior exclusion that applied to eligible juveniles after disposition. It applies the same exception under Medicare for items and services furnished to such individuals, under CHIP for children who are inmates of public institutions (including 30 days of pre-release screenings and case management), and directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care to veterans in this status. The changes take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning more than 60 days after enactment (except for the VA modification, which takes effect immediately) and apply to periods beginning on or after that date.