This bill would change a part of the Social Security Act to remove a specific phrase that limited behavioral health services at rural health clinics. The change deletes the words “or a facility which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases” from section 1861(aa)(2). The amendment would take effect January 1, 2027. The change applies to the delivery of behavioral health services under the Medicare program.
If this bill becomes law, the specific exclusion named in the Social Security Act would be removed. That means rural health clinics would no longer be subject to that particular wording limiting behavioral health services under Medicare. Rural clinics, patients who use them, and Medicare providers could be affected because the statutory limit would no longer be in place starting January 1, 2027.
No publicly available information on estimated federal costs, savings, or budget effects is included in the bill text or provided metadata.
No publicly available information about proponents' arguments or stated reasons for the change is included in the bill text or provided metadata.
No publicly available information about opponents' arguments or stated concerns is included in the bill text or provided metadata.