Supporting 9–8–8 Crisis Stabilization Act

This bill amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to revise the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion under Medicaid. The primary goal is to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services by clarifying that certain facilities are not considered IMDs, thus enabling Medicaid reimbursement for their services. Specifically, the bill excludes certified community behavioral health clinics , community mental health centers , crisis receiving and stabilization facilities , and mental health and substance use urgent care facilities from the IMD definition. This change is intended to improve the availability of critical care options for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises. The legislation defines a crisis receiving and stabilization facility as a 24/7 center offering observation and stabilization services, including withdrawal management, with a short average stay and a commitment to not deny services based on ability to pay. A mental health and substance use urgent care facility is characterized as a walk-in center for immediate crisis assessment and intervention. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to issue implementation guidance within 180 days and to submit a report to Congress within one year. This report will detail the utilization of crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, assessing their impact on reducing emergency room visits, psychiatric hospitalizations, and incarceration rates.