House introduces bipartisan bill to support implementation of national 988 suicide lifeline

-
BlogOn March 17, Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 7116), which seeks to provide support for states and counties in building local crisis response infrastructure ahead of the launch of the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) in July 2022.House introduces bipartisan bill to support implementation of national 988 suicide lifeline
-
Blog
House introduces bipartisan bill to support implementation of national 988 suicide lifeline
On March 17, Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 7116), which seeks to provide support for states and counties in building local crisis response infrastructure ahead of the launch of the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) in July 2022.
H.R. 7116 would support the full continuum of local crisis response efforts including call centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis centers, all of which would connect residents in crisis with trained first responders and mental health professionals, evidence-based services, and well-resourced crisis facilities.
If enacted, the bill would do the following:
- Permanent authorization of the $2.24 billion Mental Health Block Grant, which includes a 10 percent set aside for crisis services
- Provide an additional $441 million for over 250 regional and local lifeline call centers across the country
- Expand eligibility for capital development grants under the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA)
- Expand Federal Medicaid Financing (FMAP) for regional/local 988 call center operations, mobile crisis teams and crisis centers
- Clarify language on Medicaid Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) payment prohibitions for crisis stabilization services run by community-based programs
- Expand eligibility for the certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid demonstrations
For further details on all the provisions included in H.R. 7116, please view the fact sheet and section by section here.
As primary administrators of behavioral health services, counties support federal legislation that ensures that all people have access to comprehensive crisis care services that direct them to appropriate treatment options.
NACo will continue to work with Congress to advance this and other legislation that assists in building county crisis response efforts.
Additional Resources
- NACo Policy Brief: Fund Local Crisis Response Efforts
- NACo Blog: Someone to Call During a Behavioral Health Emergency: Transitioning to 988 in Every County
- NACo Webinar: Before and After a Behavioral Health Crisis: Building a Continuum of Care
On March 17, Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 7116), which seeks to provide support for states and counties in building local crisis response infrastructure ahead of the launch of the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) in July 2022.2022-03-24Blog2022-03-29
On March 17, Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 7116), which seeks to provide support for states and counties in building local crisis response infrastructure ahead of the launch of the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) in July 2022.
H.R. 7116 would support the full continuum of local crisis response efforts including call centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis centers, all of which would connect residents in crisis with trained first responders and mental health professionals, evidence-based services, and well-resourced crisis facilities.
If enacted, the bill would do the following:
- Permanent authorization of the $2.24 billion Mental Health Block Grant, which includes a 10 percent set aside for crisis services
- Provide an additional $441 million for over 250 regional and local lifeline call centers across the country
- Expand eligibility for capital development grants under the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA)
- Expand Federal Medicaid Financing (FMAP) for regional/local 988 call center operations, mobile crisis teams and crisis centers
- Clarify language on Medicaid Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) payment prohibitions for crisis stabilization services run by community-based programs
- Expand eligibility for the certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid demonstrations
For further details on all the provisions included in H.R. 7116, please view the fact sheet and section by section here.
As primary administrators of behavioral health services, counties support federal legislation that ensures that all people have access to comprehensive crisis care services that direct them to appropriate treatment options.
NACo will continue to work with Congress to advance this and other legislation that assists in building county crisis response efforts.
Additional Resources

About Blaire Bryant (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Health | Large Urban County Caucus
More from Blaire Bryant
-
Webinar
New Options to Combat Summer Hunger: What Counties Need to Know
Sep. 21, 2023 , 1:00 pmSummer hunger impacts too many children when they lose access to nutritious school meals. -
Webinar
Building and Supporting Comprehensive Behavioral Health Crisis Response Systems
Sep. 14, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmIn response to a growing need for behavioral health care services, counties are working to establish and bolster access to comprehensive continuums of care for their community members. -
Webinar
Behavioral Health Town Hall: Best Practices to Support the County Workforce
Sep. 13, 2023 , 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmBehavioral health issues in the workforce come with a significant impact. Join this webinar to get a better understanding of the current gaps in treatment, the benefits of investing in employee health in a meaningful way, conventional solutions that every county can use, and an innovative program that reaches people before they are in crisis. -
Blog
CMS proposes new minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities
On September 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would impose minimum staffing standards for the approximately 758 county-owned or operated long-term care facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid. -
Blog
Senate HELP and House Energy and Commerce pass PAHPA reauthorizations out of committee with amendments
The week of July 17, both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce and U.S. -
Reports & Toolkits
NACo Analysis: Overview of New Treasury Guidance for ARPA Flexibility Legislation
On August 10, the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) for the bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act
-
Basic page
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based training administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers, friends and colleaguepagepagepage<h3><strong>WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?</strong></h3>
-
Basic page
Healthy Counties Initiative
Healthy Counties focuses on enhancing: public-private partnerships in local health delivery, access to, and coordination of, care for vulnerable populations in the community and community public health and behavioral health programs.pagepagepage<p>NACo’s Healthy Counties Initiative creates and sustains healthy counties by supporting collaboration and sharing evidence-informed approaches to pressing health issues.
-
Basic page
Live Healthy U.S. Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties.pagepagepage<h1>With <a id="naco" name="naco">NACo</a>, Saving Feels Better</h1>
-
Reports & Toolkits
Opioid Solutions Center
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.Reports & Toolkitsdocument10123:30 pmReports & Toolkits<p>NACo's Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Health | Large Urban County Caucus(202) 942-4246
Related Posts
-
BlogCMS proposes new minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilitiesSep. 11, 2023
-
BlogSenate HELP and House Energy and Commerce pass PAHPA reauthorizations out of committee with amendmentsAug. 18, 2023
-
BlogThe County Countdown – August 7, 2023Aug. 7, 2023
Related Resources
-
Reports & ToolkitsNACo Analysis: Overview of New Treasury Guidance for ARPA Flexibility LegislationAug. 11, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe Principles Quick Guide to Creating a Settlement CouncilAug. 1, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsPlanning Principles ToolkitAug. 1, 2023
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits.
Learn More