Rep. Tonko Introduces Bipartisan Bill to End Medicare's 190-Day Limit on Psychiatric Hospital Care
This bill was recently introduced and is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Ways and Means. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes or hearings scheduled at this time.
No action since July 2025
The bill has bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans, which helps its chances. However, many bills introduced in the House face a long road through committees before they can become law.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Reintroduced
Reintroduced from H.R. 4946 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
H.R. 4946 (118th) →Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients who qualify for Medicare and have severe psychiatric conditions would benefit from the removal of the 190-day cap. Younger disabled individuals on SSDI may be more likely than elderly beneficiaries to accumulate psychiatric hospital days over their lifetimes, making this change especially relevant for them.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko and Bill Huizenga reintroduced the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act on July 22. The bill aims to eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric care, a cap that currently affects over 15,000 beneficiaries who are at or near the limit.
The American Hospital Association expressed strong support for the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, noting that the 190-day lifetime limit is a major obstacle to mental health parity and disproportionately harms seniors and people with disabilities.
Leaders from Acadia Healthcare and Geisinger Health System argue that the 60-year-old 190-day lifetime limit is 'out of step' with modern medical standards. They contend that removing the cap would improve patient outcomes and reduce total healthcare costs by preventing emergency room visits.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2025
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