Cortez Masto, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Crisis Services

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Crisis Care Access Act, bipartisan legislation to expand access to crisis stabilization services for Americans experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

"Too many Nevadans struggle to access care when they need it most, and expanding Medicare coverage for crisis stabilization services will help fill critical gaps in our behavioral health care system," said Senator Cortez Masto. "I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to help more Nevadans access the right behavioral health care, in the right place, at the right time. I'll keep working across the aisle to ensure Nevada families can get the comprehensive mental health support they deserve."

"Many Americans are dealing with serious mental health crises that negatively affect their daily lives, but not all communities have the tools they need to ensure individuals in crisis receive the right response in the right setting," said Senator Cornyn. "I'm proud to support this legislation, which equips communities to build comprehensive crisis services that will help stabilize those in need while treating underlying problems."

The bipartisan Crisis Care Access Act builds on Cortez Masto's work to fund the 988 hotline, increase Medicare payments for mobile crisis units, and improve access to behavioral health services in primary care settings. Specifically, this bill would provide Medicare payment for crisis stabilization services to individuals with an acute behavioral health problem. The new Medicare payment would include coverage for up to 23 hours of observation services and supervised care, suicide and violence risk screening, and physical health assessments in hospital-based crisis stabilization facilities. The bill also requires the government to publish a report exploring futureMedicare coverage options for crisis stabilization services provided outside of hospitals.

You can read the full bill text HERE.

Senator Cortez Masto has been a leader in the Senate on mental health issues. She helped fund and implement the 988 Suicide & Crisis lifeline and passed bipartisan legislation to expand behavioral health mobile crisis services, which she is working to enhance. She successfully fought to include $1 billion to support mental health services in schools in the bipartisan Safer Communities Act. She is also working to pass bipartisan legislation to expand telehealth treatment for Nevadans struggling with opioid use disorders.

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