Bill · H.R. 7324· House(119-HR-7324)
More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/3/2026
- Last activity
- 2/3/2026 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Nikki Budzinski
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2026 aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act. It seeks to expand eligibility for incentives within the Medicare health professional shortage area bonus program. This expansion specifically targets practitioners who provide mental health and substance use disorder services. The bill introduces new definitions for "specified health services" and "applicable practitioner" to facilitate these changes. By doing so, it adjusts how payments are made from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+5
The bill increases financial incentives for providers to work in mental health and substance use disorder shortage areas.
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?+4
The bill provides specific incentives for practitioners treating substance use disorders.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?+3
The bill expands the bonus program for mental health and substance use services under Medicare.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill increases federal payments to practitioners through the Medicare Trust Fund.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased incentives for mental health and substance use treatment: The bill expands the bonus program to include "specified health services" which includes the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of mental health disorders or substance use disorders (Section 2, paragraph (5)).
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Higher bonus percentages for specific services: For specified health services provided in a mental health professional shortage area, the payment to the practitioner or employer is an amount equal to 15 percent of the payment amount under this part (Section 2, paragraph (1)(B)).
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Expanded provider roles: The bill expands the definition of "applicable practitioner" to include various professionals such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors (Section 2, paragraph (6)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+5Improves Opioid Crisis Response+4Improves Healthcare Access+3Increases Medicare Funding+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Low Income Households+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 4/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/3/2026
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia