H.R. 10280 — 9–8–8 Implementation Act of 2026

This section establishes the regional and local lifeline call center program, under which the Secretary awards grants to new or existing crisis call centers serving regional or local areas for purchasing or upgrading technology, training and hiring staff, and improving operations. It authorizes appropriations of $441,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, to remain available until expended.

This section increases the authorization of appropriations for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership Pilot Program, which awards grants to States, localities, territories, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations to establish or enhance mobile crisis response teams that divert mental health and substance use disorder crises from law enforcement, to $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029 (from $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029). It maintains the $10,000,000 level for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

This section establishes a national suicide prevention media campaign to prevent suicide, educate families and communities on addressing suicidal thoughts, and increase awareness of CDC and SAMHSA resources including the hotline. It requires the Secretary to launch the campaign within 3 years after enactment, after consulting specified stakeholders, target high-risk populations and areas, test and evaluate advertisements, and assess hotline call volumes and resource engagement. It also directs the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program to conduct the campaign and conduct targeted outreach in schools and public spaces, and authorizes $10,000,000 annually for the campaign for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and $101,621,000 annually for the program for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

This section establishes a grant program under which the Secretary awards funds for capital projects at health centers funded under section 330 or at crisis receiving and stabilization facilities and crisis call centers that maintain working relationships with local mental health and substance use providers. Funds may be used for facility alteration, renovation, remodeling, expansion, new construction, and related costs, including loan amortization, for crisis response program facilities; the program is authorized at $1 billion, available until expended.

This section requires the Secretary to collect and publish Federal Register data comparing the availability and need of crisis response services, including call centers, mobile units, and stabilization facilities, in health professional shortage areas. It expands the minority fellowship program to cover postbaccalaureate training in crisis management services and authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for such fellowships. It also expands the behavioral health workforce education and training program to include remote practicum programs and crisis management training and authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, plus an additional $10 million annually for crisis workforce development for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

This section expands Medicare coverage to include crisis response services furnished by mobile crisis teams, crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, mental health or substance use urgent care facilities, or other providers determined by the Secretary. It defines crisis receiving and stabilization facilities as those offering 23-hour observation, 48-hour stabilization beds, 24/7 services on a sliding scale without rejection based on ability to pay or other factors, and an average stay under 150 hours. It sets Medicare payment at 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or a Secretary-established basis and requires coverage of ambulance transport to appropriate facilities such as community mental health centers beginning three years after enactment. It also mandates Medicaid coverage of these services and allows crisis response providers to make presumptive eligibility determinations, with the amendments effective three years after enactment (subject to possible state legislative delay).

This section establishes a panel convened by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, to issue recommendations on training requirements and protocols for 9–1–1 dispatchers responding to behavioral health crises. The panel includes psychiatrists, paramedics, law enforcement officers, 9–8–8 dispatchers, Tribal representatives, and others; considers connections to crisis services and 9–8–8 integration, standardized assessments such as LOCUS and ASAM Criteria, and cultural competency training; develops privacy-protected data collection standards on outcomes and disparities; coordinates with SAMHSA and the National 911 Program; and reports to Congress with updates every 5 years.

This section expands the Medicaid state option for qualifying community-based mobile crisis intervention services to also cover regional and local lifeline call center operations and services at crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, removes the 5-year time limit, applies an 85 percent federal matching rate to the added services, appropriates $5,000,000 for planning grants, and defines a crisis receiving and stabilization facility as one that meets state licensure, provides 23-hour observation and 48-hour stabilization beds with 24/7 access on a sliding scale, supports no-wrong-door admission, and maintains average stays under 150 hours.

This section excludes certified community behavioral health clinics, qualifying community mental health centers, crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, and mental health and substance use urgent care facilities from the definition of institutions for mental diseases under Medicaid, effective the day after enactment. It defines a crisis receiving and stabilization facility as a 24/7 licensed facility providing at least 23 hours of observation followed by 48 hours of stabilization services, with an average stay under 150 hours and nondiscrimination requirements. It defines a mental health and substance use urgent care facility as a walk-in site offering crisis assessment, intervention, medication, and service connections. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue implementation guidance within 180 days and submit a report to Congress within one year analyzing utilization, emergency room and psychiatric admissions, law enforcement referrals, and incarceration rates.