Sponsors (10)
The bill injects federal capital to expand and integrate 24/7 community crisis behavioral health facilities and improve equitable access, but it relies on one-time construction funding that may leave operational and staffing shortfalls (especially in rural areas), potentially pressures clinical stays via a 150-hour average limit, and costs taxpayers $1 billion.
People experiencing mental-health or substance-use crises (including low-income individuals and families) will have greater access to 24/7 crisis receiving, stabilization, and urgent care services because the bill funds construction/renovation of facilities and supports integration with community mental health centers, certified clinics, and mobile crisis teams.
Local governments, hospitals, tribal organizations, and community providers can access $1 billion in capital funding to build or upgrade community behavioral health infrastructure, increasing local treatment capacity and facility reliability.
People brought to crisis facilities by law enforcement, EMS, or family members — including people with disabilities — will face fewer access barriers because the bill requires no-wrong-door admissions and prohibits discrimination by ability to pay.
All taxpayers bear the cost of a $1 billion federal capital appropriation, which may require offsets or increase federal spending priorities elsewhere.
Patients in crisis could be discharged sooner than clinically appropriate because facilities must maintain an average length-of-stay under 150 hours, creating risks to patient safety and recovery.
Because the funding is capital-focused, facilities may receive buildings but lack ongoing operational dollars or the staff to run 24/7 services; smaller and rural providers in particular may struggle to meet staffing and operational requirements, limiting real-world improvements in access.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a $1 billion HHS grant program to fund construction, renovation, expansion, and related loan costs for community crisis care sites and eligible health centers.
Official title: To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to provide for health center capital grants, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 3, 2026 by Nanette Barragán · Last progress September 3, 2026
Creates a new HHS grant program that awards up to $1 billion for capital projects to strengthen community crisis care infrastructure. Eligible recipients include federally funded health centers and crisis receiving/stabilization facilities or crisis call centers that work with local mental health and substance use providers. Grants may pay for construction, renovation, expansion, other capital improvements, and loan amortization for those purposes. The funding remains available until expended and the bill defines operational standards for eligible crisis facilities and programs (including 24/7 availability and short-term stabilization capability).