Grassroots Action Center
Please Support the Behavioral Health Care Deregulation Act of 2026 (H.R. 10876)
The legislation would:
- remove Medicare’s 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services.
- reduce certain cost-sharing barriers related to involuntary psychiatric commitments.
- ease administrative burdens for inpatient psychiatric facilities.
- increase reimbursement for behavioral health integration services.
- strengthen coordination between primary care and behavioral health providers.
According to a report by the National Council on Aging on older adult mental health, the following issues were identified:
- Most Common Disorders: Anxiety and depression make up the nearly 15% of mental health issues experienced by adults aged 50 and older.
- Treatment Gap: Approximately two-thirds of older adults with these conditions remain untreated due to social stigma, ageist stereotypes, and logistical or financial barriers.
- Risk Factors: Common triggers in later life include bereavement, chronic physical illnesses, loneliness, and the stress of caregiving.
We encourage advocates to contact their legislators and ask them to support this bill!
