PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Congressional Research Service
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People & committees
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4] · D–VA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 24, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-09-03 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
This bill proposes broader insurance coverage for people experiencing mental health or substance use crises, including care from mobile teams, stabilization facilities and walk-in urgent care. It would add coverage requirements across Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and several other federal health programs. Private plans would also face limits on patient charges and treatment restrictions. Implementation would generally begin three years after enactment, with different timing for some programs and a Medicaid drafting issue described below.
The term crisis response services means mental health or substance use services that are furnished by a mobile crisis response team, a crisis receiving and stabilization facility, mental health or substance use urgent care facility, or other appropriate provider, as determined by the Secretary
(LL) crisis response services as defined in subsection (ooo);
(b) Mandatory coverage of crisis response services under the medicaid program
A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide benefits under such plan or coverage for crisis response services
the financial requirements applicable to such services are no more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits
the treatment limitations applicable to such items and services are no more restrictive than the predominant treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits
The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to services furnished on or after the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The Secretary of Defense shall provide coverage under the TRICARE program for crisis response services
Section 1 would name the bill the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026.
This Act may be cited as the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026.
The bill would add crisis response services to Medicare's covered services. Its definition includes mental health or substance use crisis care for individuals, expressly including children and adolescents, delivered by listed providers or another provider the Secretary determines appropriate.
(LL) crisis response services as defined in subsection (ooo);
The term crisis response services means mental health or substance use services that are furnished by a mobile crisis response team, a crisis receiving and stabilization facility, mental health or substance use urgent care facility, or other appropriate provider, as determined by the Secretary, to an individual, including children and adolescents, experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.
A qualifying crisis receiving and stabilization facility would need to qualify for state licensing or certification and provide 23-hour observation and assessment spaces and 48-hour psychiatric stabilization beds, including withdrawal management and round-the-clock medical monitoring.
(A) qualifies for licensure or certification as a crisis receiving and stabilization facility, pursuant to State law of the State in which such facility furnishes services; (B) provides 23-hour observation and assessment chairs or beds and 48-hour crisis stabilization psychiatric beds inclusive of withdrawal management and 24-hour medical monitoring;
Those stabilization facilities would have to provide services around the clock using a sliding payment scale. They could not deny or limit services because of ability to pay, residence, prior involvement with the justice system, severity of the condition, intellectual or developmental disability, age or related factors.
provides mental health or substance use services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week using a sliding scale of payment, and neither rejects service nor limits services on the basis of a patient’s ability to pay, place of residence, prior forensic engagement, acuity of mental health or substance use condition, intellectual or developmental disability, age or related factors;
Stabilization facilities would also need admission access for people brought by law enforcement, emergency medical personnel or family members. Their average stay would have to be under 150 hours; this is an average, rather than an express maximum for each patient.
(D) supports no-wrong-door admission capacity available to law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and family members; and (E) maintains an average length of stay of less than 150 hours.
A qualifying mental health and substance use urgent care facility would be an outpatient facility accepting walk-ins without appointments for crisis assessment, intervention, medication and connections to other appropriate services.
the term mental health and substance use urgent care facility means an ambulatory facility where individuals experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis may walk in without an appointment to receive crisis assessment services, crisis intervention services, medication, and connection to other appropriate services.
Medicare would pay 80 percent of the lower of the actual service charge or an amount calculated under a payment method established by the Secretary. The bill directs the Secretary to establish that method but does not set its rates.
the amounts paid shall be 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the service or the amount determined under the payment basis established under section 1834(bb).
The Secretary shall establish a payment basis determined appropriate by the Secretary with respect to crisis response services (as defined in section 1861(ooo)) furnished by a provider of services or supplier.
Medicare regulations would have to cover ambulance and other qualified emergency transportation for people in crisis to appropriate crisis-care facilities. Possible destinations include community mental health centers and other facilities or providers identified by the Secretary.
the regulations described in section 1861(s)(7) shall provide coverage under such section for ambulance and other qualified emergency transport services to transport an individual experiencing a mental health or substance crisis to an appropriate facility, such as a community mental health center (as defined in section 1861(ff)(3)(B)) or other facility or provider identified by the Secretary, as appropriate, for crisis response services described in section 1861(s)(2)(LL).
The Medicare changes, including crisis transportation coverage, would apply to services furnished starting three years after enactment.
(5) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to services furnished on or after the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
With respect to ambulance services furnished on or after the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act
The Medicaid subsection is framed as requiring crisis response coverage, but its references do not align: it would add paragraph (31) to the coverage requirement while placing crisis response services in new paragraph (32). This creates uncertainty about whether the drafted requirement reaches the new benefit.
(b) Mandatory coverage of crisis response services under the medicaid program
in section 1902(a)(10)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking and (30) and inserting (30), and (31);
by inserting the following paragraph after paragraph (31): (32) crisis response services (as defined in section 1861(ooo)); and
The bill would add crisis response service providers alongside hospitals in the Medicaid provision governing presumptive eligibility—an initial eligibility determination. The existing eligibility rules are not reproduced.
(3) Presumptive eligibility determination by crisis response service providers Section 1902(a)(47)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(47)(B)) is amended by inserting or provider of crisis response services (as defined in section 1861(ooo)) after any hospital.
The effective-date clause in the Medicaid subsection sets a general start three years after enactment, subject to a state-legislation exception. It refers to amendments made by “this section,” creating uncertainty about its reach beyond Medicaid.
(4) Effective date (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
If the Health and Human Services Secretary determines that a state needs legislation other than a funding appropriation to comply, the state plan would receive temporary protection from being found noncompliant solely for these new requirements. That protection would run until the first calendar quarter after the first regular legislative session beginning after enactment closes. Each year of a two-year session would count separately.
which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.
in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
Group health plans and insurers offering group or individual coverage would have to cover the defined crisis response services. The bill inserts corresponding requirements into the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code.
(1) PHSA Part D of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–111 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide benefits under such plan or coverage for crisis response services (as defined in section 1861(ooo) of the Social Security Act).
(2) ERISA (A) In general Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
(3) IRC (A) In general Subchapter B of chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
Private-plan financial requirements for crisis services could be no more restrictive than the predominant requirements applied to substantially all covered medical and surgical benefits. Plans could not impose separate patient cost-sharing requirements only on crisis services. The definition expressly includes annual and aggregate lifetime limits.
the financial requirements applicable to such services are no more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan or coverage and there are no separate cost-sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to such services;
the term financial requirement shall include aggregate lifetime limits and annual limits.
Private-plan restrictions on crisis treatment could be no more restrictive than the predominant restrictions applied to substantially all covered medical and surgical benefits. Plans could not impose separate treatment restrictions only on crisis services.
the treatment limitations applicable to such items and services are no more restrictive than the predominant treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan or coverage and there are no separate treatment limitations that are applicable only with respect to such services.
The private-plan changes would apply to plan years beginning on or after the date three years after enactment.
(4) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The Defense Secretary would have to provide TRICARE coverage for the bill's defined crisis response services.
The Secretary of Defense shall provide coverage under the TRICARE program for crisis response services, as defined in section 1861(ooo) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x).
For veterans' reimbursement, the bill would insert crisis response services into 38 U.S.C. 1725(f)(1). The supplied amendment does not reproduce the surrounding eligibility or reimbursement conditions.
(e) Reimbursement for crisis response services for veterans Section 1725(f)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , including crisis response services (as defined in subsection (ooo) of section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x)), after services.
Federal Employees Health Benefits plan contracts would have to require crisis response coverage. This would start with the third contract year that begins on or after the date three years after enactment—a later trigger than simply three years after enactment.
Each contract for a plan under this chapter shall require the carrier to provide coverage for crisis response services, as that term is defined in subsection (ooo) of section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x).
The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply beginning with respect to the third contract year for chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, that begins on or after the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
The bill would add crisis response services to the Children's Health Insurance Program coverage provision, beginning three years after enactment of the new subparagraph.
(g) Coverage under CHIP Section 2103(c)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397cc(c)(5)) is amended
(C) beginning on the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, crisis response services (as defined in section 1861(ooo)).
The September 24, 2026 source snapshot records introduction in the House and referral to six committees on September 3, followed by referral to the Subcommittee on Health on September 10. These are the actions documented in that snapshot, not a determination of the bill's later status.
Source snapshot updated 2026-09-24T08:05:28Z. 2026-09-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. 2026-09-03: 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.
2026-09-03: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-09-03. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy rider was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish the contents or attachment history of other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for a particular recipient or place was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This text-only conclusion does not establish formal earmark status in other versions or accompanying materials.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
None identified in the reviewed text
No materially narrow preferential benefit or special carve-out was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. Broad coverage requirements and equal-access protections do not by themselves constitute targeted benefits. This conclusion is limited to the supplied version.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Sep 24, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI