H.R. 10270House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Supporting 9–8–8 Crisis Stabilization Act

Introduced September 3, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 4, 2026 at 9:11 AM UTC

The Supporting 9‑8‑8 Crisis Stabilization Act changes the Medicaid definition of an "institution for mental diseases" (IMD) so that certain community‑based mental health and crisis facilities are no longer excluded from Medicaid funding. By redefining the IMD exclusion, the bill aims to expand Medicaid coverage to crisis receiving and stabilization facilities and mental health/substance‑use urgent care centers, helping people in mental‑health emergencies receive timely care. It also requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue implementation guidance and report to Congress on the use and impact of these facilities.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Social Security Act to exclude from the IMD definition: certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, and mental health/substance‑use urgent care facilities.
  • Defines a "crisis receiving and stabilization facility" as a 24/7 licensed center that provides at least 23 hours of observation and assessment plus 48 hours of stabilization, does not deny services based on ability to pay or other factors, offers sliding‑scale fees, accepts referrals from law enforcement, EMS, and families, and keeps stays under 150 hours.
  • Defines a "mental health and substance use urgent care facility" as a walk‑in center that offers immediate crisis assessment, intervention, medication, and referrals without an appointment.
  • Requires HHS to issue guidance to states within 180 days on how to implement the changes.
  • Mandates a report to Congress within one year detailing utilization of the new facilities, referral patterns, and any reductions in emergency‑room visits, psychiatric admissions, and incarceration rates.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

September 3, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 3, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

September 3, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 3, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10270

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 3, 2026

Mr. Goldman of New York (for himself, Ms. Matsui, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. McClellan, and Ms. Barragán) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to revise the IMD exclusion under Medicaid.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supporting 9–8–8 Crisis Stabilization Act.

2.

Revisions to the IMD exclusion under Medicaid

(a)

In general

Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (i)—

(A)

by striking The term and inserting the following:

(1)

Subject to paragraph (2), the term

; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)

Beginning the day after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the term institution for mental diseases does not include—

(A)

a clinic certified by the State as a certified community behavioral health clinic for purposes of participating in a demonstration program conducted under section 223(d) of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014;

(B)

a community mental health center that meets the criteria specified in section 1913(c) of the Public Health Service Act;

(C)

a crisis receiving and stabilization facility (as defined in subsection (ll)(1)); or

(D)

a mental health and substance use urgent care facility (as defined in subsection (ll)(2)).

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(ll)

Crisis receiving and stabilization facility; mental health and substance use urgent care facility

(1)

Crisis receiving and stabilization facility

For purposes of subsection (i)(2), the term crisis receiving and stabilization facility means a facility that—

(A)

is licensed or certified to furnish crisis response services under applicable State law;

(B)

is available to provide services 24 hours a day and 7 days a week;

(C)

provides patients with, at a minimum, 23 hours of observation and assessment services, followed by 48 hours of crisis stabilization services (including withdrawal management and 24-hour medical monitoring);

(D)

does not deny or limit services on the basis of a patient’s ability to pay, place of residence, prior engagement with the criminal justice system, acuity of mental health or substance use condition, intellectual or developmental disability, age, or related factors;

(E)

applies a schedule of discounts to the payment of fees or charges for the provision of its services, which are adjusted on the basis of the patient’s ability to pay;

(F)

accepts patient referrals from law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and family members; and

(G)

maintains an average length of stay of less than 150 hours.

(2)

Mental health and substance use urgent care facility

For purposes of subsection (i)(2), the term mental health and substance use urgent care facility means a facility where individuals experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis may walk in without an appointment to receive crisis assessment services, crisis intervention services, medication, and connection to other appropriate services.

.

(b)

Guidance

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance to States relating to the implementation of the amendments made by subsection (a).

(c)

Report

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, in collaboration with the Attorney General and any other relevant Federal officials (as determined by the Secretary), shall submit to Congress a report that includes the following:

(A)

Information with respect to the utilization of crisis receiving and stabilization facilities during the period following such date of enactment, including—

(i)

the number of patients served;

(ii)

the type and duration of facility-based services;

(iii)

the number of referrals to community-based outpatient care;

(iv)

any trends observed in referrals made by law enforcement agencies to such facilities; and

(v)

any other data relevant to assessing the ability for these facilities to divert mental health and substance use disorder emergencies from law enforcement response.

(B)

An analysis of the extent to which access to crisis receiving and stabilization facilities is associated with—

(i)

reduced admissions to hospital emergency rooms;

(ii)

adverted admissions and readmissions to psychiatric hospitals and other facilities defined as Institutions for Mental Diseases; and

(iii)

decreased rates of incarceration in penal facilities operated by a State or county.

(2)

Crisis receiving and stabilization facility defined

In this subsection, the term crisis receiving and stabilization facility has the meaning given such term in subsection (ll) of section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d).