Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 6408: ANCHOR Act of 2025

This bill creates a new state option to provide medical assistance through Medicaid-like programs for uninsured adults with serious mental illness or substance use disorders who earn under 100% of the federal poverty level. It defines "specified individuals" as those meeting income limits and having a qualifying condition (serious mental illness, emotional disturbance, opioid use disorder, or stimulant use disorder) diagnosed by approved providers. States offering this option must provide coverage for 1 year initially (with possible annual renewals after redetermination), ensure a care plan within 60 days, and report specific quality measures. The bill modifies existing Medicaid rules to expand access to behavioral health services without creating new federal funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid-like program for uninsured adults with mental illness/substance use disorders at or below 100% FPL, expanding coverage and supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 16, 2025

S 3486: Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act

This bill (S 3486) requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue non-mandatory guidance to states within 12 months of enactment. The guidance will focus on strategies for states to improve mental health and substance use disorder care provider education, training, recruitment, and retention through Medicaid (Title XIX) and CHIP (Title XXI) programs. It specifically emphasizes expanding workforce capacity in rural and underserved areas and details how states can use existing authorities like Medicaid waivers (Section 1115) to achieve this. The bill directly affects states administering Medicaid/CHIP programs and the providers participating in those programs, aiming to strengthen behavioral health services without creating new federal funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires HHS guidance to expand mental health workforce training, recruitment, and retention in underserved areas via Medicaid/CHIP programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2612: SAFE Act

Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act or the SAFE Act This bill incorporates risk assessments and prevention services for falls into annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams under Medicare, as well as associated services provided by physical therapists and occupational therapists.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicare coverage to include fall risk assessments and prevention services during wellness visits, improving patient access to preventive care for elderly.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Feb 5, 2026

HR 7394: Mental Health Career Promotion Act

HR 7394, the Mental Health Career Promotion Act, creates a federal grant program to help schools and community colleges connect students with mental health careers. It provides $50 million annually (2027-2031) for partnerships between schools, community colleges, and mental health providers to run programs like career presentations, internships, and professional shadowing for students in grades 9-12 or community college. These programs must be culturally appropriate and evaluated using standardized outcomes, with grantees reporting annually on effectiveness. The bill directly affects educational institutions and mental health organizations working to build pipelines for careers like counselors, social workers, and addiction specialists.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $50M annually for K-12/community college mental health career programs, directly funding educational access and career pathways through school partnerships.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $50M for mental health career programs (internships, shadowing) to expand workforce, directly supporting mental health services access and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 28, 2025

S 3064: Relief of Chronic Pain Act of 2025

S 3064, the Relief of Chronic Pain Act of 2025, modifies Medicare Part D coverage to improve access to non-opioid treatments for specific chronic pain conditions. It requires Medicare plans to exempt qualifying non-opioid drugs (approved for conditions like diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, or musculoskeletal pain) from deductibles and place them on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The bill also bans step therapy (requiring opioid use first) and prior authorization for these drugs. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with the listed chronic pain conditions who rely on these approved non-opioid medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModifies Medicare Part D to remove cost barriers for non-opioid chronic pain treatments, improves patient access, and bans opioid-first step therapy, directly advancing healthcare access for chronic pain patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 2050: ASSIST Act

The ASSIST Act (S 2050) increases federal funding for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in schools and school-based health centers. It raises the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for these services to 90% for states, starting one year after enactment, while ensuring this doesn’t reduce existing federal payments or count against territorial spending limits. The bill also creates a new grant program administered by the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund entities like school districts and universities in hiring more licensed mental health providers, requiring culturally competent care and annual reporting on provider numbers and service effectiveness. It prohibits using grant funds for threat assessment teams and mandates a report to Congress on the program’s effectiveness within 18 months.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases federal funding for mental health services by raising FMAP to 90%, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunding school-based mental health services addresses root causes of criminal behavior, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases federal funding for school-based mental health services, directly enhancing student well-being and educational access within K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases federal funding for school-based mental health/substance use services via 90% FMAP and new grants, directly advancing mental health access as per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Testing & Assessment Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Sep 18, 2025

HR 5462: Michelle Alyssa Go Act

HR 5462, the Michelle Alyssa Go Act, changes Medicaid rules to exclude small mental health facilities with 36 beds or fewer from the definition of "institution for mental diseases" if they meet specific national standards. This directly affects small mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities (36 beds or less) that comply with evidence-based standards for services, care hours, staffing, and clinical programs. The bill modifies Medicaid funding eligibility by removing these small facilities from the restrictive "institution" category, allowing them to remain eligible for Medicaid coverage under state plans. The change takes effect 180 days after the law is enacted, applying to all state Medicaid plans starting then.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes small mental health facilities (≤36 beds) from Medicaid exclusion, enabling funding access for evidence-based care and improving patient access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 3461: RISE from Trauma Act

The RISE from Trauma Act establishes grants for community coordinating bodies to address trauma and build resilience, particularly for children and youth affected by violence, substance use, or other traumatic experiences. These grants (up to $6 million each for 4 years) require diverse community stakeholders - including healthcare providers, schools, law enforcement, and community organizations - to collaborate on identifying local needs and developing trauma-informed strategies. The legislation prioritizes communities with high rates of overdose deaths, violence-related deaths, or involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It also expands existing programs like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, creates hospital-based interventions to prevent readmissions after trauma events, and establishes training for schools, law enforcement, and healthcare providers in trauma-informed care. Funding is authorized at $600 million annually from 2026-2033 for these initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds trauma-informed community programs addressing violence/trauma (a root cause of crime), involving law enforcement in collaborative prevention strategies to reduce recidivism.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare provider collaboration in trauma programs, advancing mental health services for youth through federal grants90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Hospitals Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 2072: MORE Savings Act

The MORE Savings Act eliminates copays and deductibles for opioid treatment under Medicare, private health plans, and Medicaid. It requires Medicare beneficiaries to have no out-of-pocket costs for opioid treatment drugs, behavioral health services, and recovery support (like peer counseling and transportation). Private health plans must cover these services without cost-sharing starting in 2027, and Medicaid states get a 90% federal match for medication-assisted treatment. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries, private insurance enrollees, and Medicaid recipients seeking opioid use disorder treatment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases federal Medicaid match to 90% for medication-assisted treatment, reducing state spending on opioid programs and supporting state budget management.80% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces financial barriers to opioid treatment, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through improved access to addiction services.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates copays/deductibles for opioid treatment services across Medicare, Medicaid, and private plans, expanding access to critical healthcare coverage and behavioral health support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Insurance Medicare Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Feb 26, 2025

HR 1627: TREATS Act

This bill changes rules for prescribing certain medications used to treat substance use disorders. It allows healthcare providers to use telehealth for the initial patient evaluation instead of requiring an in-person visit, but only for drugs approved by the FDA for addiction treatment (schedules III-V). The telehealth must meet specific standards, including real-time audio/video communication. This affects doctors and other practitioners who prescribe these medications for substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables telehealth for initial substance use disorder evaluations, expanding patient access to treatment without in-person visits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Telehealth

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