IMD CARE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]
Introduced
Summary
Creates an optional Medicaid pathway for states to pay for short inpatient stays in institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) for adults with serious mental illness. It would pair that option with strict 30-day limits, annual maintenance-of-effort on community funding, and requirements to support transitions back to community care.
Show full summary
- Families and adults with serious mental illness: Would let Medicaid cover IMD inpatient care for people ages 21–64 with DSM-defined disorders for up to 30 days per 12-month period. It also requires discharge planning and connections to follow-up community services.
- States: Would be able to elect a new State plan amendment starting in 2027 but must keep non-federal funding for outpatient and community-based services at or above fiscal year 2023 levels.
- Community providers and systems: Would face new continuum-of-care rules, including placement criteria, data-sharing and capacity tracking, crisis and emergency-department diversion strategies, peer supports, and requirements to screen and treat co-occurring conditions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Medicaid help for short IMD stays
This bill would let a State choose a Medicaid option that pays for care when a Medicaid enrollee is a patient in an institution for mental diseases. It would apply for calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2027. You would qualify only if you are enrolled in Medicaid, are at least 21 but under 65, and have a DSM-defined mental disorder. Federal matching would cover IMD services for up to 30 days (consecutive or not) in a 12‑month period. The bill would keep Federal payments for other medical assistance and would not stop States from making managed-care capitation payments.
Care and discharge standards for IMDs
If a State takes the Medicaid option, the bill would require States and IMDs to follow a continuum‑of‑care framework to move people back to community care. States would do regional assessments of community behavioral health capacity and update them within 12 months of starting. IMDs would screen for physical health needs, substance use, and suicidal thoughts and provide or arrange treatment. Discharge plans would emphasize housing and community connections, use peer supports, and ensure a contact within 72 hours after discharge to help get follow‑up care.
States must keep community funding
If a State elects the Medicaid option, the bill would require the State to keep its own (non‑Federal) spending on outpatient and community behavioral health services at or above fiscal year 2023 levels while it provides the IMD assistance. Covered services would include outpatient and intensive outpatient care, crisis services, assertive community treatment, peer supports, medication‑assisted treatment, psychiatric rehabilitation, community clinics, and related services. A State would have to report information before approval so the Secretary can verify compliance. The Secretary would set the reporting process within 12 months after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]
OR • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/1/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov