Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act

Joe Neguse

Democrat · CO · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15)Original· 2026-07-22

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2026-07-22

Source: Congress.gov

The legislation would increase the number of mental health and substance abuse counselors, therapists, and other behavioral health professionals available to patients by expanding loan forgiveness programs, increasing training grants, and removing licensing barriers that prevent qualified professionals from working across state lines. This would help address shortages of mental health services in rural and underserved areas where patients often struggle to find care. The changes would primarily benefit people seeking mental health treatment, healthcare providers, and communities with limited access to behavioral health services.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9867 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9867 To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to States on strategies under Medicaid and CHIP to increase mental health and substance use disorder care provider education, training, recruitment, and retention. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 22, 2026 Mr. Neguse (for himself and Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to States on strategies under Medicaid and CHIP to increase mental health and substance use disorder care provider education, training, recruitment, and retention. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act''. SEC. 2. GUIDANCE TO STATES ON STRATEGIES UNDER MEDICAID AND CHIP TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CARE PROVIDER EDUCATION, TRAINING, RECRUITMENT, AND RETENTION. Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance to States on strategies under Medicaid and CHIP to increase education, training, recruitment, and retention of mental health and substance use disorder care providers that participate in Medicaid or CHIP, with a focus on improving the capacity of the mental health and substance use disorder care workforce in rural and underserved areas. Such guidance shall include, and not be limited to, strategies on how States may utilize waivers under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315) and authorities under titles XIX and XXI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq., 1397aa et seq.) for such purposes. <all>

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