MATSUI AND COLLEAGUES REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) and Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Craig Goldman (R-TX-12) reintroduced the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, legislation to permanently authorize the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model and give every state the option to implement this proven approach into their behavioral health care systems.

Despite increased demands for behavioral health services, too many patients still face long waits, limited providers, and serious gaps in care. CCBHCs help close those gaps by delivering a full range of community-based services including 24/7 crisis care, outpatient mental health and substance use treatments, screening and diagnosis, and coordination with hospitals, law enforcement, and veterans' organizations.

"Across the country, families are struggling to find timely, affordable mental health and substance use care," said Congresswoman Matsui. "We cannot keep asking communities to do more with fewer resources while the need for care continues to grow. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics have a strong record of expanding access, improving crisis response, and connecting patients to the care they need. This legislation would build on that success by helping more people get treatment no matter where they live."

"The need for more access to mental health care services is rising, yet for far too many Americans, high-quality, affordable care remains out of reach when they need it most," said Congressman Pfluger. "We cannot afford to ignore this growing crisis. It is our responsibility to act with urgency and purpose. That's why I am proud to co-lead the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, which establishes a durable payment structure for CCBHCs under Medicare and codifies the Medicaid payment system these clinics depend on to keep their doors open for people who need care."

"Our country is facing a mental health crisis and it's time Congress did something about it," said Congresswoman Craig. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical legislation that would provide communities with the comprehensive mental health and substance use resources they desperately need. On behalf of every Minnesotan who has struggled with their mental health, I'll keep working until we get this bill signed into law."

"Mental health care shouldn't be out of reach for any American, especially our seniors," said Congressman Alford. "This bipartisan bill builds on a model that's already working in Missouri, expanding access, improving accountability, and delivering real results. I'm proud to cosponsor legislation that puts patients first and strengthens mental health care across the country."

"Breaking down barriers and expanding access to mental health and addiction services saves lives," said Congressman Tonko. "Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers are a proven part of our healthcare system. I'm proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan legislation that strengthens behavioral health services and gives our communities the support they need."

"We do not need to guess what works in mental health and addiction care-we are already seeing it in PA-1 and across the nation," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics have proven that timely, coordinated, community-based care can stabilize individuals in crisis, connect them to treatment, and support long-term recovery. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act takes that proven model and gives it the durability it deserves by establishing a formal funding structure and allowing Medicare coverage for the services these clinics provide. That means stronger access to care, greater stability for providers, and a more responsive behavioral health system for the individuals and families counting on it."

"Mental health resources are vital for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and in many cases, they prevent larger health crises down the line. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act invests in a proven program and expands it to deliver more care to Americans in need," said Congressman Goldman. "I'm proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan effort led by two great Texans, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. August Pfluger, and Rep. Doris Matsui. I'm grateful to all my colleagues for their work on this important issue."

The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act would:

• Permanently authorize a Medicaid payment system for the CCBHC model.
• Establish a definition of services & prospective payment system for CCBHCs under Medicare, ensuring that CCBHCs can also provide behavioral health care for our seniors.
• Establish a new accreditation process for CCBHCs and a technical assistance program at HHS to encourage program integrity and quality of care.
• Authorize expansion grants for certified or potential CCBHCs to expand the ability of clinics to provide comprehensive care.
• Authorize a new data infrastructure system for CCBHC data reporting.

Endorsement statements from various health organizations can be found HERE.

Congresswoman Matsui has long led congressional efforts to expand access to community based mental health care. In 2014, she authored and passed the bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health Act, which established the CCBHC Medicaid demonstration and expansion grant program.

In 2022, Congresswoman Matsui's Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act of 2021 was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, authorizing nationwide expansion of the CCBHC pilot. Most recently, Congresswoman Matsui introduced legislation creating a permanent definition of CCBHC services in Medicaid statute, which was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.