Jennifer McClellan (D-VA)
Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026. It requires certain health programs and insurance plans to provide coverage for crisis response services. These services include mental health or substance use care furnished by mobile crisis teams, urgent care facilities, and stabilization facilities. The bill amends Medicare, Medicaid, group health plans, health insurance coverage, TRICARE, veterans' benefits, the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Most of the coverage requirements take effect three years after the date of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +9
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill significantly expands access to crisis response, stabilization facilities, and urgent care for mental health and substance use.
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill expands coverage for crisis response services including children and adolescents via CHIP.
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill enhances Medicaid and CHIP coverage, which are vital for low-income populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Medicare Coverage for Crisis Response: Section 2(a) adds crisis response services to the Medicare program and covers ambulance transport for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. This is a positive step because it helps older Americans and individuals with disabilities get the emergency mental health care and transportation they need without facing complete out-of-pocket costs.
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Medicaid and CHIP Expansion: Sections 2(b) and 2(g) mandate coverage for crisis response services under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), while also allowing crisis response providers to make presumptive eligibility determinations. This ensures that low-income individuals, children, and families can access immediate behavioral health crisis care and sign up for temporary coverage right at the facility.
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Private Insurance and Employer Plans: Section 2(c) requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to provide benefits for crisis response services without financial requirements or treatment limitations that are more restrictive than those applied to general medical and surgical benefits. This protects everyday people from unfair financial hurdles or separate cost-sharing rules when seeking urgent mental health support through their private insurance.
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Support for Veterans and Military Families: Sections 2(d) and 2(e) require the TRICARE program and veterans' reimbursement provisions to cover crisis response services. This ensures that our service members, veterans, and their families have guaranteed access to crucial mental health and substance use crisis care.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed Implementation: Sections 2(a)(5), 2(b)(4), and 2(c)(4) state that the amendments and coverage requirements generally apply to services furnished on or after the date that is three years after the date of enactment. This delay means that individuals experiencing behavioral health crises right now will not immediately benefit from these federally mandated coverages.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill expands coverage for crisis response services including children and adolescents via CHIP. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill enhances Medicaid and CHIP coverage, which are vital for low-income populations. Would retired people be better off under this? — The expansion of Medicare coverage benefits retirees needing crisis services. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill expands Medicare coverage to include crisis response services. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill expands coverage for crisis response services specifically for veterans. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill mandates service provision regardless of intellectual or developmental disabilities. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The bill provides coverage for various group health plans applicable to the workforce. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill ensures group health plans cover crisis response services. Would students be better off under this? — Expanded coverage through various health plans provides better support for students in crisis. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Expanded mental health and substance use crisis coverage benefits younger demographics.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill significantly expands access to crisis response, stabilization facilities, and urgent care for mental health and substance use. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The expansion of crisis response services directly supports the response to substance use issues like the opioid crisis. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By mandating coverage across various programs, the bill ensures broader access to essential crisis services. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill expands coverage for crisis response services under TRICARE and through VA reimbursement. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill mandates coverage of crisis response services under the Medicaid program. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill expands Medicare coverage to include crisis response services for mental health and substance use.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill includes protections against service rejection based on intellectual or developmental disabilities. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill creates 'no-wrong-door' admission capacity for law enforcement officers handling crises.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill expands crisis response coverage specifically for veterans.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates various programs to provide specific coverage, centralizing healthcare standards.
- 9/10/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 9/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Lori TrahanDemocrat · Massachusetts