Bill · H.R. 9866· House(119-HR-9866)
C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act
- Introduced
- 7/22/2026
- Last activity
- 7/22/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Joe Neguse
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create the Mental Health Licensure Portability Program. The program is to be managed through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration. It aims to award grants to eligible entities for specific projects. These projects include incentivizing counselors to practice in States that have entered into interstate compacts. Additionally, the program helps develop, operate, or maintain interstate compact commissions.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+5
The bill establishes a grant program to expand the workforce of credentialled mental health professionals through interstate compacts.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+3
The bill facilitates easier movement of mental health professionals across state lines to improve access to care.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The bill incentivizes counselors to practice in specific states to expand the mental health workforce.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expansion of the mental health workforce: The bill seeks to incentivize counselors to practice in States that have entered into interstate compacts to expand the workforce of credentialed mental health professionals (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Support for interstate compact operations: Grants can be used to develop, operate, or maintain interstate compact commissions that facilitate the provisions of interstate compacts (Section 2(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned 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 Healthcare Access+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+2
- 7/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 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.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania