Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5217

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-08: 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.

Last Updated

2026-05-12T08:05:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

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

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill aims to expand access to behavioral health services at rural health clinics under the Medicare program by removing a specific restriction that currently limits such services.

Key Provisions Outlined

• Short Title: The legislation is named the "Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act of 2025."
• Main Amendment: It modifies Section 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(2)) by deleting the phrase "or a facility which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases" from the definition related to rural health clinics.
• Effective Date: The changes take effect on January 1, 2027.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

• The bill eliminates an existing limitation in Medicare rules that restricted rural health clinics from providing behavioral health services if the facility focused primarily on mental health care.
• This represents a targeted update to Medicare's definition of covered rural health clinic services under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may need to update guidance and payment processes for rural health clinics starting in 2027.
• On Citizens: Rural residents could gain improved access to behavioral health care through Medicare-covered services at local clinics.
• On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Rural health clinics and their providers.
• Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas.
• Healthcare organizations focused on behavioral health services.
• Congressional sponsors and committees with jurisdiction over Medicare policy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The amendment addresses a statutory restriction in federal Medicare law without altering broader constitutional frameworks.
• It focuses on expanding service delivery in underserved areas, with bipartisan introduction in the House of Representatives.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

Cosponsors (22)

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-08: 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.
• 2025-09-08: 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.
• 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (2 pages)