Congress expands mental health care for people leaving prison
H.R. 7535 — Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026 · Filed by Valerie Foushee (D-NC) · 11 cosponsors · Introduced Feb 12, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover 12 mental health telehealth visits per calendar year for people who were recently incarcerated and are now under home confinement as part of their release. The coverage applies to individuals released after the bill becomes law and continues during their period of home confinement.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a Medicaid coverage mandate for a specific, vulnerable population. It is a straightforward public-health measure with no hidden provisions or narrow carve-outs.
What the text implies
- Telehealth-only coverage may exclude individuals without reliable internet or digital literacy; effectiveness depends on state implementation and whether in-person visits are available as alternatives.
- 12 visits per year (1 per month) may be insufficient for individuals with serious mental illness; the bill does not establish whether this is a floor or ceiling, or whether states may cover additional visits.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
telehealth providers and platforms; mental health service providers offering remote care