House Introduction of the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act

On Thursday, Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA), Larry Bucshon (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, a bill which builds upon previous bipartisan congressional action and creates the infrastructure required to sustain and expand access to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) nationwide. Introduction in the House follows the Senate introduction by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) in September 2023.

“The National Council applauds the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Matsui, Bucshon, Molinaro and Craig in introducing The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, a crucial piece of legislation that would establish the infrastructure needed to achieve the long-term vision of the CCBHC model of care,” said National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia.

“CCBHCs already have provided high-quality, lifesaving mental health and substance use treatment and care to millions of people across the nation. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act would provide those opportunities to even more communities. It would help eliminate barriers to access among those traditionally underserved, reduce wait list times so people receive care more quickly and expand the capacity of states to address the overdose crisis.”

To learn more, check out the full text of the bill here, and a one-pager on the bill here.