July 22, 2026
Mr. Dunn of Florida (for himself, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, and Ms. Craig) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicaid coverage of mental health services or substance use disorder services and primary care services furnished on the same day.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably for Youth Act
or the Improving CARE for Youth Act
.
Sec. 2. Medicaid coverage of mental health services or substance use disorder services and primary care services furnished on the same day
(a) In general
Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (89), by striking ; and
and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (90)(C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
(3)
by inserting after paragraph (90) the following new paragraph:
(91)
not prohibit payment under the plan for a mental health service, substance use disorder service, or primary care service furnished to an individual for which payment would otherwise be available under the plan if such service were not a same-day qualifying service (as defined in subsection (zz)).
(b) Same-Day qualifying services defined
Section 1902 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(zz) Same-Day qualifying services defined
For purposes of subsection (a)(91), the term same-day qualifying service means—
(1)
a primary care service furnished to an individual (including via telehealth) by a physician or practitioner employed by or working under contract with a physician’s office, Federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, or other outpatient facility on the same day a mental health service or substance use disorder service is furnished to such individual (including via telehealth) by such physician or practitioner (or another physician or practitioner) employed by or working under contract with the same office, center, clinic, or facility; and
(2)
a mental health service or substance use disorder service furnished to an individual (including via telehealth) by a physician or practitioner employed by or working under contract with a physician’s office, Federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, or other outpatient facility on the same day a primary care service is furnished to such individual (including via telehealth) by such physician or practitioner (or another physician or practitioner) employed by or working under contract with the same office, center, clinic, or facility.