U.S. Reps. Bentz and Goldman Introduce IMD CARE Act to Expand Medicaid for Mental Health Facilities
U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon) and Dan Goldman (D-New York) have introduced the IMD CARE Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to amend the Social Security Act to expand Medicaid eligibility for psychiatric care facilities. Currently, Medicaid funding for mental health patients is limited to institutions with no more than 16 beds, a restriction established in 1965. The proposed act would create a state plan amendment, allowing institutions of mental diseases (IMDs) with more than 16 beds to receive Medicaid funding for all mental health patients. This change seeks to increase the number of available beds and treatment options for individuals suffering from severe mental illness. Representative Bentz highlighted that a significant portion of the homeless and prison populations suffer from severe mental illness and would benefit from proper treatment in existing facilities. The current system often forces states to seek temporary and unstable waivers for Medicaid reimbursement for larger facilit...
