Bill · S. 2410· Senate(119-S-2410)
Medicaid Bump Act
- Introduced
- 7/23/2025
- Last activity
- 7/23/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Tina Smith
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Medicaid Bump Act" amends the Social Security Act to increase the federal matching rate for Medicaid expenditures on behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use treatment. This act incentivizes states to invest more in these critical services by increasing the federal government's share of the costs for increased spending. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance and reports on behavioral health services.
Yes· 3 of 26
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
The bill increases access to mental health services through Medicaid, which primarily serves low-income households.
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+8
The bill aims to improve mental health access by increasing federal funding for behavioral health services under Medicaid.
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?+7
The bill increases the federal matching rate for Medicaid expenditures on behavioral health services, thus increasing Medicaid funding.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Access to Behavioral Health Services (Section 2(a)): By raising the federal matching rate to 90% for increased spending on behavioral health services, states may be encouraged to expand these services. This could mean more people get the mental health and substance use treatment they need.
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Improved Quality of Services (Section 2(a)(2)(B)): States must use the additional funds to improve the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including increasing provider payment rates and reducing staff turnover. This could lead to better care for individuals seeking help.
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Transparency and Accountability (Section 3): The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to submit annual reports on behavioral health services, including payment rates and utilization. This transparency can help ensure that funds are being used effectively and that states are providing adequate services.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential for Delayed Implementation (Section 2(c)): The changes won't take effect until the calendar quarter beginning on or after January 1 of the year after the bill is enacted. This means that people who need help now might have to wait.
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Possible Inconsistencies in Service Definition (Section 2(b)): The Secretary of Health and Human Services needs to issue guidance defining "behavioral health services." If this definition is too narrow, some important services might not be covered by the higher matching rate.
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Risk of Insufficient State Action: While the bill incentivizes increased spending, it relies on states to actually increase their investment in behavioral health. If states don't prioritize these services, the intended benefits may not materialize.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+8Good For L G B T Q Community+6Good For Students+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For Children+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Seniors+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Immigrants+4Good For Men+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For White Americans+4Good For Women+4Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+8Improves Opioid Crisis Response+7Increases Medicaid Funding+7Improves Healthcare Access+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+3
- 7/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
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.