The ASSIST Act would increase federal Medicaid payments to 90% for eligible state spending on mental health and substance use disorder services provided at schools and school-based health centers. The higher rate would apply starting in the first calendar quarter that begins on or after 12 months after enactment, unless the usual rate is higher. The bill would also create grants to increase the number of qualified care providers in schools and school-based health centers. Grant recipients would report on staffing, services, and provider retention. Grant funds could not be used for threat assessment teams.
Students could have more mental health and substance use disorder care providers available at schools and school-based health centers if eligible organizations receive grants. States could receive a higher federal share of Medicaid costs for qualifying services. The bill does not guarantee that a particular school or student would receive services.
The bill does not state grant funding amounts or an overall cost. It would increase the federal share of qualifying state Medicaid spending to 90%, subject to the conditions in the bill.
The bill's findings state that limited access to school-based mental health and substance use disorder care harms children's health, including the health of children eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.
No publicly available information.