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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives August Pfluger (TX-11), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Angie Craig (MN-02), Mark Alford (MO-04), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen mental health resources in Texas and across the country.

The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act permanently authorizes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model and gives every state the option to implement this proven approach into its behavioral health care systems.

Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Senate version of this legislation in December 2025.

Despite increased demands for behavioral health services, too many patients still face long waits, limited providers, and serious gaps in care. CCBHCs help close those gaps by delivering a full range of community-based services, including 24/7 crisis care, outpatient mental health and substance use treatments, screening and diagnosis, and coordination with hospitals, law enforcement, and veterans’ organizations.

“The need for more access to mental health care services is rising, yet for far too many Americans, high-quality, affordable care remains out of reach when they need it most,” said Congressman Pfluger. “We cannot afford to ignore this growing crisis. It is our responsibility to act with urgency and purpose. That’s why I am proud to co-lead the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, which establishes a durable payment structure for CCBHCs under Medicare and codifies the Medicaid payment system these clinics depend on to keep their doors open for people who need care.”

“Across the country, families are struggling to find timely, affordable mental health and substance use care,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “We cannot keep asking communities to do more with fewer resources while the need for care continues to grow. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics have a strong record of expanding access, improving crisis response, and connecting patients to the care they need. This legislation would build on that success by helping more people get treatment no matter where they live.”

“Mental health resources are vital for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and in many cases, they prevent larger health crises down the line. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act invests in a proven program and expands it to deliver more care to Americans in need,” said Congressman Goldman. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan effort led by two great Texans, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. August Pfluger, and Rep. Doris Matsui. I’m grateful to all my colleagues for their work on this important issue.”

“Our country is facing a mental health crisis and it’s time Congress did something about it,” said Congresswoman Craig. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical legislation that would provide communities with the comprehensive mental health and substance use resources they desperately need. On behalf of every Minnesotan who has struggled with their mental health, I’ll keep working until we get this bill signed into law.”

"Mental health care shouldn’t be out of reach for any American, especially our seniors,” said Congressman Alford. “This bipartisan bill builds on a model that’s already working in Missouri, expanding access, improving accountability, and delivering real results. I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that puts patients first and strengthens mental health care across the country.”

“Breaking down barriers and expanding access to mental health and addiction services saves lives," said Congressman Tonko. "Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers are a proven part of our healthcare system. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan legislation that strengthens behavioral health services and gives our communities the support they need.”

“We do not need to guess what works in mental health and addiction care—we are already seeing it in PA-1 and across the nation,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics have proven that timely, coordinated, community-based care can stabilize individuals in crisis, connect them to treatment, and support long-term recovery. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act takes that proven model and gives it the durability it deserves by establishing a formal funding structure and allowing Medicare coverage for the services these clinics provide. That means stronger access to care, greater stability for providers, and a more responsive behavioral health system for the individuals and families counting on it.”

The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act would:

·     Permanently authorize a Medicaid payment system for the CCBHC model.

·     Establish a definition of services & prospective payment system for CCBHCs under Medicare, ensuring that CCBHCs can also provide behavioral health care for our seniors.

·     Establish a new accreditation process for CCBHCs and a technical assistance program at HHS to encourage program integrity and quality of care.

·     Authorize expansion grants for certified or potential CCBHCs to expand clinics' ability to provide comprehensive care.

·     Authorize a new data infrastructure system for CCBHC data reporting.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Several outside organizations are supportive of the legislation, including the National Council for Mental Health Wellbeing, WellSpace Health and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, which released the following statements of support:

“CCBHCs are a powerful tool to ensure access to care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. We must continue to invest in this model and strengthen it, so that high-quality care is within reach for every community,” said Chuck Ingoglia, MSW, President and CEO of National Council for Mental Health Wellbeing. “The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act will empower clinics to sustain their critical work. It will grow the behavioral health workforce and ease the strain on emergency rooms and local law enforcement — which, in many communities, remain the primary response when a mental health or substance use crisis occurs.”

“When members of Congress from Texas and California agree on a healthcare model, you know it’s something special,” said Dr. Jonathan Porteus, CEO of WellSpace Health. “CCBHC’s provide a flexible, preventive, and clinically integrated behavioral health model, filling existing gaps in care while providing value to patients and taxpayers alike.”

“Every day we hear about Americans caught up in our ongoing behavioral health crisis, and it is a welcome day when we hear about solutions that bring the timely and effective care people need. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act will do just that. It brings Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to Americans with Medicare and expands access to lifesaving mental health, substance use, and crisis care,” said Andy Keller, President and CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.