Building Capacity for Care Act

Increased Treatment Capacity: The bill allows for purchasing, constructing, or renovating facilities to add or convert beds for psychiatric and substance use treatment (Section 2(a)(1)(A) and 2(a)(1)(C)). This could help people access more care options.

Improved Care Infrastructure: Funds can be used to improve digital infrastructure and telehealth capabilities (Section 2(a)(1)(B)), which may enhance how patients receive services.

Targeted Support for High-Need Areas: The Secretary will give preference to grants for entities in mental health professional shortage areas or counties with high drug overdose and suicide rates (Section 2(d)). This focuses resources where they may be most needed.

Support for Underserved Communities: Entities can propose projects to provide services in high-need rural or underresourced communities (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).

Specialized Care Options: The bill supports the creation of facilities capable of providing integrated or specialized care for complex cases or patients with medical co-morbidities (Section 2(b)(2)(D)).

Financial Risk to the Government: The Secretary may have to pay 75 percent of losses if a borrower defaults on a guaranteed loan (Section 2(g)(1)(A)).

Requirement for Private Funding: To receive a loan or guarantee, a borrower must finance at least 25 percent of the project from other sources (Section 2(e)(10)(A)), which may be a burden for some entities.

Interest Rate Requirements: Loans must have a minimum interest rate that is no less than the estimated cost to the Government plus 1 percent (Section 2(e)(7)(B)(i)).