Bentz and Goldman introduce bill to expand Medicaid for mental health

U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz and Dan Goldman have introduced the IMD CARE Act to expand Medicaid eligibility for psychiatric care. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Social Security Act to allow institutions of mental diseases with more than 16 beds to receive Medicaid funding for all mental health patients.

Since the Social Security Act was enacted in 1965, Medicaid funding has been limited to psychiatric facilities with no more than 16 beds. Currently, states seeking funding for larger facilities must navigate a complex and unstable waiver process. The new act aims to provide predictable reimbursement structures and durable financing to increase the availability of inpatient mental health care beds.

Representative Bentz noted that the bill intends to address the shortage of treatment options for individuals suffering from severe mental illness, particularly among the homeless and prison populations, to reduce costs related to law enforcement and healthcare.