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Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-10240| House 
| Updated: 9/3/2026
Jennifer L. McClellan

Jennifer L. McClellan

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (4)
Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)
Committees (6)
• Ways and Means Committee• Veterans' Affairs Committee• Armed Services Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Education and Workforce Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to significantly expand coverage for crisis response services across a wide range of health programs. It defines "crisis response services" as mental health or substance use services provided to individuals experiencing a crisis by entities such as mobile crisis response teams , crisis receiving and stabilization facilities , or mental health and substance use urgent care facilities . Crisis receiving facilities must offer 24/7 services on a sliding scale, without rejecting patients based on ability to pay or other factors, and support "no-wrong-door" admissions. The legislation mandates coverage for these services under Medicare , establishing a payment basis and covering ambulance transport to appropriate facilities. It also makes crisis response services a mandatory benefit under Medicaid , allowing crisis providers to make presumptive eligibility determinations for patients. Additionally, the bill requires private group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover crisis response services, ensuring that financial requirements and treatment limitations are no more restrictive than those for medical and surgical benefits. Coverage is further extended to federal programs including TRICARE for military personnel, Veterans' Affairs for veterans, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) . Most provisions are set to take effect three years after the bill's enactment.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5611
Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act
Sep 3, 2026
Introduced in House
Sep 3, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and Workforce, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5611
    Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act


  • September 3, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • September 3, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and Workforce, 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.

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-10240| House 
| Updated: 9/3/2026
This bill aims to significantly expand coverage for crisis response services across a wide range of health programs. It defines "crisis response services" as mental health or substance use services provided to individuals experiencing a crisis by entities such as mobile crisis response teams , crisis receiving and stabilization facilities , or mental health and substance use urgent care facilities . Crisis receiving facilities must offer 24/7 services on a sliding scale, without rejecting patients based on ability to pay or other factors, and support "no-wrong-door" admissions. The legislation mandates coverage for these services under Medicare , establishing a payment basis and covering ambulance transport to appropriate facilities. It also makes crisis response services a mandatory benefit under Medicaid , allowing crisis providers to make presumptive eligibility determinations for patients. Additionally, the bill requires private group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover crisis response services, ensuring that financial requirements and treatment limitations are no more restrictive than those for medical and surgical benefits. Coverage is further extended to federal programs including TRICARE for military personnel, Veterans' Affairs for veterans, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) . Most provisions are set to take effect three years after the bill's enactment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5611
Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act
Sep 3, 2026
Introduced in House
Sep 3, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and Workforce, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5611
    Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act


  • September 3, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • September 3, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and Workforce, 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.
Jennifer L. McClellan

Jennifer L. McClellan

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (4)
Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)
Committees (6)
• Ways and Means Committee• Veterans' Affairs Committee• Armed Services Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Education and Workforce Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted