U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., introduced the bipartisan 988 Crisis Response Act Sept. 3 to fund professional mobile crisis response teams dispatched by 988 Lifeline operators as well as establish Medicaid reimbursement for crisis call centers and resources.
The legislation would authorize $100 million for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership program for communities to create or enhance existing mobile crisis response teams, according to a Sept. 3 news release from Mr. Smith’s office.
The bill would also make permanent the 85% federal matching assistance percentage for mobile crisis response teams and expand it to crisis call centers and crisis stabilizing and receiving facilities.
Representatives Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congressman Smith in introducing the legislation as part of the larger 988 Implementation Act.
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