Improving CARE for Youth Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (4 Aug 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
Improving CARE for Youth Act (S. 5236) would amend Medicaid law (title XIX of the Social Security Act) to prohibit state Medicaid programs from denying payment for a mental health service and a primary care service provided to the same patient on the same day at the same office, clinic, or outpatient facility—whether by the same provider or different providers there. Currently, some state Medicaid billing rules treat same-day mental health and primary care visits as ineligible for separate reimbursement; this bill would bar plans from applying that restriction, so long as each service would otherwise be payable on its own.
The change affects Medicaid enrollees and the providers and facilities that serve them, particularly integrated or co-located care settings where a patient might see a primary care clinician and a behavioral health clinician during a single visit. By removing the same-day billing barrier, the bill is aimed at facilities that offer both types of care together, though the text itself only addresses payment rules, not staffing, funding levels, or clinical requirements.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 4, 2026, by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) with Sen. Bill Cassidy as a cosponsor, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It has not yet been voted on in committee or by the full Senate; further action would require committee consideration before any floor vote in the Senate and, separately, House passage, before it could be sent to the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably for Youth Act or the Improving CARE for Youth Act
This bill prohibits state Medicaid programs from denying coverage for primary care and mental health services that are furnished on the same day at the same office, clinic, or other outpatient facility.
Timeline
4 Aug 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 5236 do?
- Improving CARE for Youth Act (S. 5236) would amend Medicaid law (title XIX of the Social Security Act) to prohibit state Medicaid programs from denying payment for a mental health service and a primary care service provided to the same patient on the same day at the same office, clinic, or outpatient facility—whether by the same provider or different providers there. Currently, some state Medicaid billing rules treat same-day mental health and primary care visits as ineligible for separate reimbursement; this bill would bar plans from applying that restriction, so long as each service would otherwise be payable on its own. The change affects Medicaid enrollees and the providers and facilities that serve them, particularly integrated or co-located care settings where a patient might see a primary care clinician and a behavioral health clinician during a single visit. By removing the same-day billing barrier, the bill is aimed at facilities that offer both types of care together, though the text itself only addresses payment rules, not staffing, funding levels, or clinical requirements. The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 4, 2026, by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) with Sen. Bill Cassidy as a cosponsor, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It has not yet been voted on in committee or by the full Senate; further action would require committee consideration before any floor vote in the Senate and, separately, House passage, before it could be sent to the President.
- Has S. 5236 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5236. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5236?
- S. 5236 was sponsored by Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] (D-NH), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 5236?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (4 Aug 2026).
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