Congress bets $billions on mental health in primary care—with a sunset clause.
H.R. 2509 — COMPLETE Care Act · Filed by Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) · 31 cosponsors · Introduced Mar 31, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill creates financial incentives for primary care doctors to integrate mental health and behavioral health services into their practices over 2027–2029, paying them 175% of normal rates in 2027, declining to 150% in 2028 and 125% in 2029. It also funds technical assistance to help practices adopt these integrated care models and exempts the cost from Medicare's budget-neutrality rules, meaning the government will spend extra money without offsetting cuts elsewhere.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a time-limited payment boost to primary care providers who deliver integrated mental health services. It is a straightforward reimbursement policy designed to shift clinical practice, not a tax provision, appropriation rider, or commemorative measure.
What the text implies
- The budget-neutrality waiver means Medicare spending will increase without corresponding reductions elsewhere, potentially pressuring future budget negotiations or deficit spending.
- The incentive sunsets in 2029, creating uncertainty about whether practices will sustain integrated models after payment rates drop to 125% and then presumably revert to baseline.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
primary care practices and federally qualified health centers; behavioral health providers and integrated care vendors; health insurance companies (HUM, UNH) — lower downstream costs from better mental health management