A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
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 is called the "Improving CARE for Youth Act." It amends the Social Security Act to ensure that Medicaid covers mental health services or substance use disorder services and primary care services when they are provided on the same day. These services can be delivered in person or via telehealth. The coverage applies when services are provided by practitioners at the same office, center, clinic, or facility.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Directly benefits Medicaid recipients who are typically from low-income households.
- Scored +8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
Increases access to mental health and substance use disorder services by allowing same-day billing with primary care.
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The act is specifically titled 'Improving CARE for Youth Act', focusing on youth health access.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Limits state Medicaid plans from prohibiting specific same-day payment practices.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Access to Combined Care: The bill prevents Medicaid plans from prohibiting payment for mental health, substance use disorder, or primary care services provided on the same day. This is found in Section 2(a)(3).
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Flexibility in Service Delivery: The bill allows these same-day qualifying services to be provided via telehealth, which may make it easier for people to receive care. This is found in Section 2(b)(1) and (2).
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Coordination Across Different Facilities: Coverage applies to services provided at physician's offices, Federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, or other outpatient facilities. This is found in Section 2(b)(1) and (2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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? — Directly benefits Medicaid recipients who are typically from low-income households. Would children be better off under this? — The act is specifically titled 'Improving CARE for Youth Act', focusing on youth health access. Would students be better off under this? — Benefits youth and students utilizing Medicaid for integrated healthcare. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides integrated mental health and primary care for youth and young adults on Medicaid. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Improves access to coordinated mental health and substance use disorder services. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Specifically mentions rural health clinics and enables telehealth for integrated care. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Benefits any Medicaid recipient seeking integrated care. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Benefits any Medicaid recipient seeking integrated care. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts demographics with higher Medicaid utilization rates. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts demographics with higher Medicaid utilization rates. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts demographics with higher Medicaid utilization rates.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Increases access to mental health and substance use disorder services by allowing same-day billing with primary care. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Improves overall access by enabling integrated care delivery and telehealth options. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Facilitates better access to substance use disorder services integrated with primary care. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — Ensures Medicaid coverage for integrated same-day mental health and primary care services.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Specifically mentions rural health clinics in the definition of qualifying services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Amends the Social Security Act to set federal standards for Medicaid coverage. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Limits state Medicaid plans from prohibiting specific same-day payment practices.
- 10/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois