Rep. Matsui Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Medicare Coverage for Mental Health Clinics
This bill is in the early stages of the legislative process and is currently sitting with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. Since April 22, 2026, these committees have not taken any action on the bill. It is common for bills to remain in committee without moving forward.
The bill has support from both parties and addresses a popular issue, but it still needs to pass through several committees before it can be voted on by the full House.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Reintroduced
Reintroduced from H.R. 8543 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
H.R. 8543 (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
The bill highlights children and youth as populations that CCBHCs may specialize in serving. Young people on Medicaid, including college students in some states, could benefit from expanded access to behavioral health services at community clinics. However, most students would only be affected if they are Medicaid-eligible.
“specializes in providing services to children, youth, or veterans”
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers in the House introduced the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act to expand behavioral healthcare access. The legislation would permanently authorize the CCBHC model and establish a Medicare payment structure for the clinics.
The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act is a bipartisan bill proposing permanent authorization of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) under Medicare and Medicaid, aiming to stabilize funding and expand nationwide adoption of integrated care.
Rep. August Pfluger discusses the introduction of the bipartisan Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act to strengthen mental health resources. The legislation permanently authorizes the CCBHC model and establishes a durable payment structure under Medicare and Medicaid.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act
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