The Mental Health Research Accelerator Act of 2025 (H.R.2085): The Mental Health Research Accelerator Act creates a 25% tax credit for qualified research on psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, but companies must apply through an IRS allocation process that prioritizes projects conducted in collaboration with academic or nonprofit research institutions. To be eligible, research expenses must be directly tied to advancing discoveries toward clinical application, and applicants must demonstrate scientific merit and alignment with the Act’s goals. Critically, the Act allows tax-exempt partners such as universities and nonprofits to transfer their credit to a collaborating private company, giving private-sector funders a clear financial incentive to co-develop research programs with these institutions. Credits apply only to expenses incurred before January 1, 2036. *

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Safe Step Act (H.R.5509): The Safe Step Act would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to require that health plans and group insurance coverage that use medication step therapy protocols include a formal exceptions process for patients and physicians. These step therapy protocols often force patients to try a series of medications (usually cheaper or first-line options) before permitting access to the specific drug originally prescribed by a clinician. *

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Reentry Act (H.R.2586):

When a person with mental illness is released from jail or prison, they face additional challenges as they re-enter the community, including increased risk for overdose and death by suicide in the weeks following release and – without access to mental health care – a higher risk of cycling in and out of the criminal justice system. 

The Reentry Act (H.R. 2586) would change that. This bipartisan legislation would provide Medicaid coverage for health care, including substance use and mental health treatment, for people who are incarcerated starting 30 days before their release. That means people would better be able to connect to and access community mental health services.

This bill has the potential to make a significant difference in the health and wellbeing of people with mental illness and substance use disorders. Far too many people with mental illness are in jails and prisons. But without connections to community mental health and supports, people transitioning into the community are unfortunately also at a higher risk of returning to criminal justice system involvement. *