Bill · H.R. 7535· House(119-HR-7535)
Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/12/2026
- Last activity
- 2/12/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Valerie Foushee
- Cosponsors
- - 11 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026," aims to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act. It specifically targets the Medicaid program to increase coverage for certain individuals. The legislation would require coverage for 12 mental health telehealth visits per calendar year. This applies to people subject to home confinement due to judicial process who were previously incarcerated in a public institution. The changes would take effect for individuals released on or after the date the Act is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+7
The bill mandates coverage for 12 mental health telehealth visits per year for specific individuals under home confinement.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+5
The bill expands healthcare access by utilizing telehealth for individuals in home confinement.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
The bill provides essential mental health services to individuals who are likely to be low-income due to their status under Medicaid.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Mental Health Access: The bill requires the coverage of 12 mental health visits via telehealth each calendar year for specific individuals (Section 2(a)(3)). This provides a way for people under home confinement to receive mental health services.
-
Support for Recently Released Individuals: The provision applies to individuals who were incarcerated in a public institution immediately prior to their home confinement (Section 2(a)(3)). This ensures coverage is available for those transitioning from public institutions to home confinement.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are mentioned in the text provided.
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+7Improves Healthcare Access+5Increases Medicaid Funding+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+4Good For People With Disabilities+3Good For African Americans+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2Improves Racial Equity+2
- 2/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/17/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey