S-2993 : Still Just a Bill

The "Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act" (S. 2993) aims to improve access to and the quality of community behavioral health services. The key provisions of the bill are:

• Permanent Authorization of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Medicaid:
  • Establishes CCBHC services as a Medicaid state plan option, allowing states to receive federal matching funds for these services.
  • Defines "certified community behavioral health services" and "certified community behavioral health clinic."
  • Creates a Medicaid prospective payment system for CCBHCs, ensuring stable funding.
• Coverage of CCBHC Services Under Medicare:
  • Adds CCBHC services to the list of covered services under Medicare, effective January 1, 2024.
  • Creates a prospective payment system for Medicare reimbursement of CCBHC services, taking into account the type, intensity, and duration of services.
  • Waives the deductible for CCBHC services.
• Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grants:
  • Establishes an operating grant program for eligible CCBHCs to provide a full array of certified community behavioral health services.
  • Defines the eligibility requirements for clinics to receive grants.
  • Authorizes appropriations of $552,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
• Technical Assistance and Data Infrastructure:
  • Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish technical assistance programs to support CCBHCs.
  • Requires the Secretary to establish a data system to collect and analyze data on CCBHCs.
  • Authorizes appropriations for technical assistance and data infrastructure.
• Accreditation:
  • Provides a framework for the accreditation of community behavioral health clinics, ensuring quality standards are met.

In short, this bill seeks to make community behavioral healthcare more accessible and sustainable by ensuring permanent funding streams and improving quality.