Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as National Estuaries Week to raise public awareness about the importance of these coastal ecosystems. The bill highlights that estuaries support a significant portion of the U.S. population and economy while providing critical services such as flood control, water filtration, and habitat for fish and wildlife. It acknowledges ongoing threats to estuary health, including pollution and sea level changes, and recognizes the efforts of government agencies, organizations, and individuals working to protect and restore these areas.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution supports designating September 17, 2026, as "National Physician Suicide Awareness Day" to highlight the mental health challenges facing doctors in the United States. The bill cites high levels of stress, burnout, and stigma among physicians as key reasons for establishing this day of reflection and education. It encourages the President to issue a proclamation urging the public to observe the date with awareness campaigns and educational activities. Additionally, the resolution calls for increased research into the barriers that prevent physicians from seeking mental health care.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.

Maddy summaryThe 9-8-8 Call Center Improvement Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to new or existing crisis call centers that serve regional or local communities. These funds are intended to help centers purchase or upgrade technology, train staff, improve daily operations, and hire additional personnel. The bill authorizes $441 million in appropriations for fiscal year 2027 to support these efforts, with the money remaining available until it is fully spent.

Maddy summaryThe 9-8-8 Crisis Response Act expands federal funding for mental health crisis response and broadens Medicaid coverage to include regional lifeline call centers and crisis stabilization facilities. The bill increases the annual budget for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership Pilot Program from $10 million to $100 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. It also allows states to use Medicaid funds to pay for these new services, with the federal government covering 85 percent of the costs. To qualify, crisis stabilization facilities must provide 24-hour care without rejecting patients based on their ability to pay or other factors, and they must maintain an average patient stay of less than 150 hours.

Maddy summaryThe 9-8-8 Implementation Act of 2026 expands federal funding and mandates insurance coverage for behavioral health crisis services, directly affecting individuals experiencing mental health or substance use emergencies as well as the providers who serve them. The bill authorizes grants to upgrade local lifeline call centers, build new crisis stabilization facilities, and train a larger workforce of behavioral health professionals. It requires Medicare, Medicaid, private group health plans, TRICARE, and other federal insurance programs to cover crisis response services with financial terms no more restrictive than standard medical care. Additionally, the legislation establishes a federal panel to develop training protocols for 9-1-1 dispatchers to better connect callers to appropriate crisis care rather than law enforcement responses.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting 9-8-8 Crisis Stabilization Act amends Medicaid rules to allow federal funding for specific community-based mental health facilities that were previously excluded from coverage. It defines two new types of eligible sites: crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, which must operate 24/7 with an average stay under 150 hours, and mental health and substance use urgent care centers where individuals can walk in without an appointment. These facilities are required to accept referrals from law enforcement and emergency personnel while prohibiting service denials based on factors like ability to pay or criminal justice history. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue implementation guidance within 180 days and submit a report to Congress one year later analyzing how these changes affect hospital admissions, incarceration rates, and overall crisis response utilization.

Maddy summaryThe 9-8-8 Community Infrastructure Act authorizes $1 billion in grants for capital projects at health centers and crisis response facilities. Eligible recipients include federally funded health centers, tribal organizations, and specialized non-hospital facilities that provide 24/7 mental health and substance use crisis services. Funds may be used for construction, renovation, expansion, or loan repayment to improve these infrastructure sites. The bill specifically defines eligible crisis facilities as those offering stabilization beds, sliding-scale payment options, and no-wrong-door admission without rejecting patients based on ability to pay or other factors.

Maddy summaryThe 9-8-8 and 9-1-1 Integration Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a multidisciplinary panel that will develop recommendations for training and protocols for emergency dispatchers. The primary goal is to ensure that individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use crises are connected to appropriate care services rather than being met solely by law enforcement. The panel must consider integrating the 9-8-8 crisis line with the 9-1-1 system, utilizing standardized assessment tools to evaluate caller needs, and implementing training on cultural competency and implicit bias. Additionally, the legislation requires the creation of data collection standards to track response outcomes and disparities while protecting caller privacy, with reports submitted to Congress upon the release of recommendations and every five years thereafter.

Maddy summaryThe Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026 mandates that Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health insurance plans cover mental health and substance use crisis response services for individuals experiencing acute episodes. These covered services include care provided by mobile crisis teams, urgent care facilities, and stabilization centers that offer short-term observation without rejecting patients based on their ability to pay or other factors. The legislation also requires ambulance providers to transport individuals in crisis to appropriate facilities and extends coverage requirements to TRICARE, veterans' benefits, federal employee health plans, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. These new coverage mandates generally take effect three years after the bill is enacted, with specific provisions ensuring that financial restrictions on these services are no more severe than those applied to standard medical care.