A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
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 titled the Behavioral Healthcare Deregulation Act. It amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to address mental health care under the Medicare program. The legislation removes the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services. It also adds financial protections for patients who are involuntarily committed. Additionally, the bill provides regulatory relief for behavioral health care providers and creates incentives for integrating mental healthcare with physical healthcare.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +9
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets individuals experiencing disability due to serious mental illness by removing restrictive caps and regulatory barriers.
- Scored +9
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill removes the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services and creates incentives for integrating behavioral healthcare into primary care.
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors on Medicare benefit significantly from the removal of the 190-day psychiatric hospital limit and enhanced mental health service integration.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Removal of the 190-Day Lifetime Limit: Under Section 3, the bill removes the 190-day lifetime limit for inpatient psychiatric hospital services under Medicare. This is positive because it ensures that patients who need long-term inpatient psychiatric care will no longer have their Medicare coverage abruptly cut off due to an arbitrary lifetime cap.
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Financial Protections for Involuntary Commitments: Under Section 4, the bill ensures that no reductions or certain cost-sharing limitations shall be made regarding inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals admitted following an involuntary commitment order under State law. This is positive because it protects patients and their families from financial burdens when forced into necessary inpatient care.
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Incentives for Behavioral Health Integration: Under Section 6, the bill increases payment amounts for specific behavioral health integration services furnished during the years 2027, 2028, and 2029. This is positive because it encourages primary care practices to better integrate mental health care into everyday medical visits.
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Technical Assistance for Providers: Under Section 6, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to provide technical assistance to primary care practices seeking to adopt behavioral health integration models. This is positive because it gives doctors the practical support they need to successfully offer mental health services alongside physical health care.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Lack of Negative Provisions Identified: Based strictly on the text provided, the bill does not contain explicit provisions outlining negative consequences, burdens, or restrictions for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets individuals experiencing disability due to serious mental illness by removing restrictive caps and regulatory barriers. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors on Medicare benefit significantly from the removal of the 190-day psychiatric hospital limit and enhanced mental health service integration. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides financial protections for patients who are involuntarily committed, shielding lower-income families from burdensome psychiatric costs. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans suffering from behavioral health conditions benefit from expanded Medicare mental health access and integration incentives.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill removes the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services and creates incentives for integrating behavioral healthcare into primary care. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By modernizing regulations for behavioral healthcare providers and removing federal barriers, the bill improves overall access to care. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill increases payment amounts for behavioral health integration services and provides necessary funding for technical assistance under Medicare. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The legislation supports individuals with serious mental illness and behavioral health conditions, aiding broader crisis response efforts.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By addressing mental health challenges linked to homelessness and serious illness, the bill helps vulnerable individuals achieve recovery. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The legislation addresses severe mental health issues that disproportionately affect the homeless population by expanding access to necessary inpatient and integrated care.
- 10/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- Introduced in House