Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act
Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act
Plain Language Summary
# Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act (HR 4022) - Summary **What it would do:** This bill would remove federal restrictions that currently prevent Medicaid from paying for mental health and addiction treatment services provided in specialized mental health facilities (called Institutions for Mental Diseases, or IMDs) for people under 65 years old. Currently, states can only access this funding through special waivers. If passed, this restriction would be lifted, allowing more direct federal funding for inpatient mental health care. **Who it affects and key provisions:** The bill primarily affects people under 65 who rely on Medicaid for mental health and substance abuse treatment. It would require states that use this funding to also strengthen their outpatient and community-based mental health services, expand crisis services, and improve coordination between mental health providers and first responders.
States would also need to report data on how these facilities are being used and their costs. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress) and has not yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-California).
CRS Official Summary
Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment ActThis bill repeals restrictions that generally prohibit federal payment under Medicaid for services provided in institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) for individuals under the age of 65. (Currently, states may receive payment for such services through certain mechanisms, such as through a Medicaid demonstration waiver.)The bill also requires state Medicaid programs that cover IMD services to improve patient access to outpatient and community-based behavioral health care, expand crisis stabilization services, facilitate care coordination between providers and first responders, and report specified information relating to IMD utilization and costs.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.