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H.R. 5217: Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act of 2025, aims to change how behavioral health services are delivered in rural areas under the Medicare program. Specifically, it seeks to revise a certain limitation in the Social Security Act regarding the types of facilities that can provide these services.

Key Provisions

Amendment of Existing Law: The bill proposes to amend Section 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act. This involves removing the restriction that currently limits the delivery of behavioral health services at rural health clinics. The exact wording that is being removed states that these clinics cannot be facilities "which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases."
Effective Date: The changes introduced by this bill are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Impact on Rural Health Clinics

By allowing rural health clinics to offer behavioral health services without the previous limitations, the bill aims to improve access to mental health care in rural communities. This is particularly significant since rural areas often face challenges such as a shortage of healthcare providers and facilities that specialize in mental health services.

Intended Outcomes

Increased access to mental health services for residents in rural regions.
A potential improvement in the overall mental health outcomes of individuals living in these areas.
Support for rural health clinics in expanding their service offerings.

Relevant Companies

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This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.

Actions

2 actions

Date	Action
Sep. 08, 2025	Introduced in House
Sep. 08, 2025	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.

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