HR 5217 United States House · 119th Congress

Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act of 2025

This bill amends the Social Security Act to remove an exclusion for rural facilities primarily treating mental health conditions from Medicare coverage. It specifically changes Section 1861(aa)(2) by deleting the phrase "or a facility which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases," allowing these facilities to qualify for Medicare reimbursement. The change directly affects rural behavioral health centers specializing in mental health care that were previously excluded. The amendment takes effect on January 1, 2027, enabling these facilities to access federal Medicare funding for services.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Sep 8, 2025 Last action Sep 8, 2025
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Committee
1
Sep 8, 2025
Committee
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.
lower
Sep 8, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 23 co-sponsors

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