A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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 creates a new option for states to use Medicaid to pay for medical care for adults between the ages of 21 and 65 who have a serious mental illness and are patients in certain institutions for mental diseases. Under Section 2, states can elect this option through a State plan amendment starting on or after January 1, 2027. Payments are limited to a maximum of 30 days of care per individual during any 12-month period. To qualify for these federal funds, states must maintain a specific level of non-federal funding for outpatient and community-based mental health services. Additionally, states must meet various requirements regarding care standards, patient transitions, and the coordination of services. The legislation aims to help people get the mental health care they need while ensuring they stay connected to their local communities.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The legislation expands Medicaid coverage options for inpatient mental health care and requires states to maintain community-based mental health funding.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?
The bill creates a new Medicaid State plan amendment option to provide medical assistance for individuals with serious mental illness in institutions for mental diseases.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill specifically benefits individuals with serious mental illnesses by expanding access to inpatient and community-based mental health services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Short-Term Inpatient Care: Section 2 (adding new section 1915(m)(1)) allows states to provide Medicaid coverage for medical care furnished to eligible individuals in certain institutions for mental diseases, which could help people get specialized inpatient care when they need it most.
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Protection of Community Mental Health Funding: Section 2 (adding new section 1915(m)(3)(A)) requires states to maintain their spending on outpatient and community-based mental health services at fiscal year 2023 levels, ensuring that local care options are not defunded.
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Improved Care Transitions and Housing Support: Section 2 (adding new section 1915(m)(4)(C)) requires facilities to help transition patients back to the community, connect them with local providers, assess whether they have access to housing, and follow up with discharged beneficiaries within 72 hours.
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Screening for Co-occurring Conditions: Section 2 (adding new section 1915(m)(4)(E)) mandates that institutions screen enrollees for co-morbid physical health conditions, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation, ensuring these critical health issues are treated.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Strict Limits on Inpatient Duration: Section 2 (adding new section 1915(m)(2)) caps federal Medicaid payments for care in an institution for mental diseases at a maximum of 30 days during any 12-month period, which could cut off funding for patients who require longer-term inpatient treatment.
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.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The legislation expands Medicaid coverage options for inpatient mental health care and requires states to maintain community-based mental health funding. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill creates a new Medicaid State plan amendment option to provide medical assistance for individuals with serious mental illness in institutions for mental diseases. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill improves health care access by facilitating short-term inpatient care and coordinating transitions to community providers. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The legislation requires screening and treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders alongside mental health care.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill specifically benefits individuals with serious mental illnesses by expanding access to inpatient and community-based mental health services. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The legislation enhances Medicaid-funded mental health care for low-income individuals enrolled in the program. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Adults aged 21 to 65 with serious mental illness are eligible for the new Medicaid coverage options. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Adults aged 21 to 65 with serious mental illness are eligible for the new Medicaid coverage options.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Institutions for mental diseases are required to assess whether enrollees have access to housing and connect them with housing coordination services. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The bill mandates housing access assessments and connections to supportive housing during the discharge transition process.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill provides states with a new voluntary State plan amendment option to tailor Medicaid coverage for mental health institutions.
- 10/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York