WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), alongside Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably (CARE) for Youth Act. This bipartisan legislation increases access to mental health services for children enrolled in Medicaid.

“This is a common-sense, no-cost fix that removes a bureaucratic barrier standing between patients and the integrated care model that providers already want to deliver. When a doctor identifies a need for behavioral health support, that patient shouldn't have to wait — they should be able to see a provider down the hall, right then and there,” said Rep. Carter. “The Improving CARE for Youth Act allows Medicaid to reimburse for behavioral health and primary care services delivered on the same day, at the same visit. This is lifesaving care for patients when they need it most.”

Under current Medicaid policy, health care providers generally may only bill for one service per patient per day. As a result, when a child visits a primary care physician and is identified as needing behavioral or mental health services, practices with an integrated mental health provider often cannot bill for both the primary care visit and the same-day mental health service. This outdated billing restriction discourages same-day treatment, forcing many children to schedule a separate appointment and delaying access to critical care.

“Our nation is facing a growing youth mental health crisis, and we should be removing barriers to care, not creating them,” said Rep. Dunn. “As a physician, I know that early intervention can make a profound difference in a child's long-term health and well-being. Protecting the future of the youth in our country is too important to be hindered by a Medicaid billing restriction. The Improving CARE for Youth Act ensures children can receive the care they need when they need it.”

“We are facing a mental health crisis in our country, and we've got to make sure young people have access to the mental health care they need when they need it,” said Rep Craig. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill alongside my colleagues that will remove barriers to mental health care for children on Medicaid and ensure a better future for our kids and grandkids.”

Read the full bill text here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) issued the following statement:

“I have always supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas and other terrorist organizations that threaten its people. Israel has the right to live in peace and security, and nothing in my position should be interpreted otherwise.

“But our support for an ally does not mean we should remain silent when innocent lives are being lost on such a devastating scale. The deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, especially women and children, the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and vital infrastructure, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis demand that we speak with both honesty and compassion.

“In my view, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has impeded efforts toward peace and protecting innocent civilians, including from violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. America has both the right and the responsibility to ensure that our assistance reflects our values and our commitment to human rights.

“For that reason, I am supporting Representative Thomas Massie’s amendment. It is a vote for accountability. It is a vote to say that American support should encourage peace, protect innocent lives, and advance the values we stand for as a nation.

“I continue to support the immediate release of every hostage, a permanent ceasefire, the full delivery of humanitarian aid, and renewed negotiations that lead to two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, security, and mutual respect.

“The people of Israel and Palestine deserve to live with dignity and hope. We cannot allow another generation of children to grow up surrounded by violence and loss.

“I believe in the long-term partnership that the American people have with the people of Israel and in America’s enduring commitment to a more peaceful, stable, and secure Middle East. That future must include dignity, security, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians. I firmly state that the policies of the Netanyahu government cannot continue.

“Peace is never easy. But it is always worth pursuing. That is the future I will continue to work toward.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) recently sent a letter to Director Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in strong opposition to the Office of Management and Budget's proposed rule to overhaul how federal grants are awarded and administered, impacting over $1 trillion in annual Federal awards.

“This proposal would represent the most sweeping and destructive transformation of the federal financial assistance system in modern history and would subordinate nonpartisan, merit-based grantmaking to political control, exposing the entire framework to serious constitutional challenge,” the Members wrote. “With more than $1 trillion in annual Federal awards at stake, the consequences would be felt by every state, federally recognized tribe, city, county, research university, hospital, and countless nonprofits, community organizations, and private firms that deliver critical scientific studies and essential public services.”

The lawmakers oppose the proposed rule and urge OMB to withdraw this rulemaking in full.

This sweeping, partisan, and ideologically driven rewrite of federal grants guidance would, if finalized, overhaul and politicize the entire federal funding regime in America. As outlined in the letter, this proposal would:

• Concentrate political control over federal spending, reducing objective peer review of research funding to a non-binding suggestion;
• Undermine constitutionally protected rights by requiring compliance with vague, sweeping prohibitions on projects that may include references to “unlawful DEI,” “gender ideology," and “religious discrimination;”
• Disrupt billions of dollars in existing awards and programs; and
• Increase the compliance burden on the organizations and governments that serve the public.

“This proposal would hand political appointees unprecedented power to decide which communities deserve access to federal funding that Congress has already approved. Federal grants should be awarded based on law, peer-reviewed science, and community need—not political fealty,” said Jillian Blanchard, Senior Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice at Lawyers for Good Government. “If finalized, this rule would put critical investments in public health, disaster resilience, clean energy, and infrastructure at risk while significantly increasing administrative burdens to the entire federal funding regime. We stand with Congressman Carter in opposing this dangerous proposal and defending a grants system that serves the American people and provides critical funding where it’s needed most.”

“Instead of working to better the lives of the American people, protect public health, and ensure clean air and water for all, the Trump administration is pursuing yet another reckless, short-sighted, and ideologically motivated power-grab,” said Earthjustice Action Senior Legislative Representative Liz Ruben. “We thank Representatives Troy Carter, Nikki Budzinski, and the over 120 members of Congress who joined them on this letter for standing up for our communities and opposing this dangerous effort.”

“Representatives Carter and Budzinski are right to sound the alarm about this sweeping effort to politicize federal grants. OMB’s proposal would allow political appointees to override expert review, disrupt existing awards, and make it harder for communities to secure the funding they need to protect public health and serve the public. We are grateful to every member of Congress standing with them to defend a fair, evidence-based grant system,” said Michelle Roos, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Network.

“Giving political appointees the ability to bury real science and funnel federal research money toward disinformation won't make the problems we face go away, but instead, leave us dangerously unprepared to face very real threats,” said Margie Alt, director of the Climate Action Campaign. “Trump's Polluters First Agenda relies on ignoring the fact that the same fossil fuels causing the climate crisis are also making Trump's industry allies billions in profits. We are grateful to the more than 120 Members for standing up for scientific integrity, and for our lives.”

Additional lawmakers signing onto the effort include Reps. Gabe Amo (D-RI), Becca Balint (D-VT), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Ami Bera (D-CA), Donald Beyer (D-VA) Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Ed Case (D-HI), Sean Casten (D-IL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gilbert Cisneros (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Herbert Conaway (D-NJ), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Danny Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Christopher Deluzio (D-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Bill Foster (D-IL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Greg Landsman (D-OH), John Larson (D-CT), George Latimer (D-NY), Summer Lee (D-PA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), John Mannion (D-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Sarah McBride (D-DE), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Analilia Mejia (D-NJ), Christian Menefee (D-TX), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Grace Meng (D-NY), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Dave Min (D-CA), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Josh Riley (D-NY), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Patrick Ryan (D-NY), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Mark Takano (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), George Whitesides (D-CA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

This letter is endorsed by Lawyers for Good Government, Environmental Protection Network, Climate Action Campaign, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, United Auto Workers (UAW), Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health (OUCH) – International, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Committee to Protect Public Mental Health, Physicians for Social Responsibility/Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility/Texas, Physicians for Social Responsibility/San Francisco, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Medical Students for a Sustainable Future.

Read the full letter here.

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