H.R. 9847 – Improving CARE for Youth Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated July 28, 2026 at 5:23 AM UTC

The bill changes Medicaid rules so that if a person receives a mental health or substance‑use disorder service and a primary‑care service on the same day, Medicaid must pay for both. It adds a definition of “same‑day qualifying service” and stops states from denying payment for those combined visits. The change applies to anyone covered by Medicaid who gets these services, including through telehealth.

Key Provisions

Amends Medicaid’s Section 1902 to add a new paragraph that bars states from refusing payment when a mental health, substance‑use disorder, or primary‑care service is provided on the same day as another qualifying service.
Creates a definition of “same‑day qualifying service,” covering primary‑care and mental‑health/substance‑use services delivered on the same day by providers at the same office, health center, clinic, or other outpatient facility, including via telehealth.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

July 22, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 22, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

July 22, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 22, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9847

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 22, 2026

Mr. Dunn of Florida (for himself, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, and Ms. Craig) 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 ensure Medicaid coverage of mental health services or substance use disorder services and primary care services furnished on the same day.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably for Youth Act or the Improving CARE for Youth Act.

2.

Medicaid coverage of mental health services or substance use disorder services and primary care services furnished on the same day

(a)

In general

Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (89), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (90)(C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (90) the following new paragraph:

(91)

not prohibit payment under the plan for a mental health service, substance use disorder service, or primary care service furnished to an individual for which payment would otherwise be available under the plan if such service were not a same-day qualifying service (as defined in subsection (zz)).

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(b)

Same-Day qualifying services defined

Section 1902 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(zz)

Same-Day qualifying services defined

For purposes of subsection (a)(91), the term same-day qualifying service means—

(1)

a primary care service furnished to an individual (including via telehealth) by a physician or practitioner employed by or working under contract with a physician’s office, Federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, or other outpatient facility on the same day a mental health service or substance use disorder service is furnished to such individual (including via telehealth) by such physician or practitioner (or another physician or practitioner) employed by or working under contract with the same office, center, clinic, or facility; and

(2)

a mental health service or substance use disorder service furnished to an individual (including via telehealth) by a physician or practitioner employed by or working under contract with a physician’s office, Federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, or other outpatient facility on the same day a primary care service is furnished to such individual (including via telehealth) by such physician or practitioner (or another physician or practitioner) employed by or working under contract with the same office, center, clinic, or facility.

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