S. 1732Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed Senate

Improving Access to Behavioral Health Information Technology Act

Introduced August 3, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 5:55 PM UTC

The Improving Access to Behavioral Health Information Technology Act would add a new incentive program to the Social Security Act that pays behavioral health providers for adopting and using certified electronic health record (EHR) systems. The goal is to improve the quality and coordination of mental health and substance‑use care by encouraging electronic documentation and information exchange. The program would apply to a range of providers, including psychiatric hospitals, community mental‑health centers, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and other facilities that participate in state mental‑health plans or waivers.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Section 1115A(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act to create a new clause (xxv) that authorizes incentive payments to behavioral health providers for adopting and using certified EHR technology.
  • Specifies the types of providers eligible for the incentives: psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and hospitals, treatment facilities, and mental health or substance‑use disorder providers that are part of a state plan or waiver.

Legislative Activity

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8 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

May 11, 2018

View full timeline
SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

August 3, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

August 3, 2017

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.

May 7, 2018

SenateFloor

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2528)

May 7, 2018

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2528)

May 7, 2018

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

May 9, 2018

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

May 9, 2018 • 12:16 PM

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

May 9, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

May 11, 2018

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 1732 on the floor

1 Republican
Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · May 7, 2018

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 1732 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. Mr. President, I further…

Bill Text

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Referred in HouseIssued May 9, 2018

IC

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 1732

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 9, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

AN ACT

To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to promote testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to Behavioral Health Information Technology Act.

2.

Testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology

Section 1115A(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315a(b)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

(xxv)

Providing incentive payments to behavioral health providers for the adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology (as defined in section 1848(o)(4)) to improve the quality and coordination of care through the electronic documentation and exchange of health information. Behavioral health providers may include—

(I)

psychiatric hospitals (as defined in section 1861(f));

(II)

community mental health centers (as defined in section 1861(ff)(3)(B));

(III)

clinical psychologists (as defined in section 1861(ii));

(IV)

clinical social workers (as defined in section 1861(hh)(1)); and

(V)

hospitals, treatment facilities, and mental health or substance use disorder providers that participate in a State plan under title XIX or a waiver of such plan.

.

Passed the Senate May 7, 2018.

Julie E. Adams,

Secretary