Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2025

Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2025 would remove the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services covered by Medicare Part A. The bill would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act (specifically section 1812) to ensure there is no lifetime cap on inpatient psychiatric days. The change would apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. In plain terms, beneficiaries with severe or long-term psychiatric hospital needs could access inpatient care without a federally imposed lifetime ceiling, subject to existing coverage rules and cost-sharing structures. The bill’s sponsors (listed as Tonko, Huizenga, Doggett, and Fitzpatrick) introduced the measure in the House and referred it to the Ways and Means Committee. Its stated purpose is to promote equity in Medicare coverage for mental health inpatient care.