A Democratic bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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
The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act aims to amend the Social Security Act regarding certified community behavioral health clinics. It adjusts coverage and payment structures for these clinics under both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The bill establishes a prospective payment system for Medicaid to strengthen clinic support. It also extends coverage of these services to the Medicare program. Additionally, the legislation creates a grant program to support clinic operations, technical assistance, and data infrastructure. Finally, it provides liability protection for clinicians working within these certified clinics.
Yes· 3 of 45
- Scored +10
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
Significantly expands funding, coverage, and infrastructure for community behavioral health clinics.
- Scored +9
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Significantly increases access via Medicaid and lowers out-of-pocket costs.
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Removes Medicare Part B deductibles for CCBHC services and expands Medicare coverage.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
Authorizes over $600 million in grants and expands payment systems for clinics.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes significant new federal spending for grants and Medicare/Medicaid coverage.
- Scored -2
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Increases federal expenditures without specifying an offset.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Medicaid Payment Structure: The bill establishes a prospective payment system for clinics, allowing for payments based on daily or monthly visits, which can help stabilize clinic funding (Section 102).
-
Expanded Medicaid Services: The scope of services covered under Medicaid is expanded to include "additional CCBHC services" that are appropriate to meet the health needs of the population (Section 104).
-
Medicare Coverage Expansion: Certified community behavioral health clinic services will be covered under the Medicare program starting January 1, 2027 (Section 201).
-
Reduced Financial Burdens for Medicare Patients: The bill ensures that the Medicare Part B deductible does not apply to certified community behavioral health clinic services (Section 203).
-
Support for Specialized Populations: The grant program allows for the prioritization of clinics that specialize in providing services to children, youth, or veterans (Section s 340J-1).
-
Operational Support through Grants: A grant program is established to help clinics with costs such as acquiring buildings, leasing equipment, and providing staff training (Section 340J-1).
-
Liability Protection for Clinicians: The bill confers protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act to clinicians working in these clinics (Section 401).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
State Election Requirement: Under the Medicaid provisions, the establishment of a prospective payment system is subject to a State electing to make medical assistance available for these services (Section 102).
-
Grant Competition and Conditions: Eligibility for certain grants may be subject to specific conditions, such as requiring a clinic to be accredited (Section 340J-1).
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — Significantly increases access via Medicaid and lowers out-of-pocket costs. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Major expansion of behavioral health services and payment systems for clinics treating psychiatric disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — Direct benefit from Medicare coverage expansion and deductible removal. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Removes Medicare Part B deductibles for CCBHC services and expands Medicare coverage. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Explicitly identifies veterans as a priority population for clinic guidance and grants. Would children be better off under this? — Specifically mandates guidance for clinics focusing on children and youth. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Provides grants to improve geographic distribution and rural health infrastructure. Would students be better off under this? — Targeted support and guidance for clinics serving children and youth. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides expanded behavioral health access tailored for youth populations. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Improves general access to mental health services and removes cost barriers. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increases clinic availability and services in high-need urban areas. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Increased funding for high-need areas often benefits marginalized racial groups. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Increased funding for high-need areas often benefits marginalized racial groups. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Expanded community behavioral health services are critical for LGBTQ mental health. Would men be better off under this? — General improvement in access to mental health and primary care. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases the availability of community-based mental health services. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Focus on high-need community grants often targets rural and tribal areas. Would women be better off under this? — General improvement in access to mental health and primary care. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — General expansion of behavioral health services. Would farmers be better off under this? — Improved rural development and mental health access benefit farming communities. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Expanded Medicaid-funded community clinics may provide more access points for eligible immigrants. Would white Americans be better off under this? — General expansion of behavioral health services. Would business owners be better off under this? — Provides grants and stable reimbursement for clinic owners. Would high-income households be better off under this? — General improvement in community health infrastructure.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Significantly expands funding, coverage, and infrastructure for community behavioral health clinics. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Increases the number of clinics and the range of services (including primary care) available in communities. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Expands behavioral health clinic capacity, which is critical for treating substance use disorders. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — Establishes prospective payment systems and expands covered services under Medicaid. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — Expands Medicare coverage to include CCBHC services. Does this help veterans get medical care? — Specifically provides guidance and grant opportunities for clinics serving veterans. Does this put more money into medical research? — Establishes a data infrastructure system to collect and analyze CCBHC data. Does this lower what a hospital stay costs? — Improved community-based behavioral health may reduce expensive emergency room visits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Increases access to essential mental health and behavioral services for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Prioritizes grants for communities with elevated behavioral health needs, often coinciding with marginalized areas. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Reduces healthcare costs for low-income individuals via Medicaid and removes Medicare Part B deductibles for these services. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Behavioral health services are a key component in supporting stable housing for the homeless population.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Creates a standardized data reporting system for CCBHCs. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Allows states to elect to use the new prospective payment systems and manage clinic contracts. Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal oversight and funding mechanisms for behavioral health clinics.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Expands behavioral health options and targeted support for veterans.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Grant funding helps modernize and construct clinics in underserved areas, including rural communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Grants for building and expanding clinics may lead to new healthcare employment opportunities. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provides operating grants and improved reimbursement for community-based clinic providers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investment in healthcare infrastructure and mental health services can support long-term economic productivity. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Authorizes over $600 million in grants and expands payment systems for clinics. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increases federal expenditures without specifying an offset. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes significant new federal spending for grants and Medicare/Medicaid coverage.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Invests in behavioral health data infrastructure and analysis.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/23/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Mark AlfordRepublican · Missouri
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Maxine DexterDemocrat · Oregon
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Craig GoldmanRepublican · Texas
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York