Trahan Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Improve 988 Services

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, introduced the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act, a comprehensive bipartisan legislative package that will provide states with federal funding and resources to build a crisis response infrastructure behind the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The legislative package is also co-led by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01). “Calling 988 takes courage, and answering takes patience and care. Our job is to support both,” said Congresswoman Trahan . “We all know someone who has struggled with mental health or substance use and wished there was more help within reach. This bill delivers it, with a faster response, a real place to turn, and trained professionals ready to pick up the phone.” “When someone reaches out for help in a moment of crisis, we have a responsibility to make sure help is there,” said Congresswoman Matsui . “988 has become a lifesaving resource for millions of Americans, but answering the call cannot be where our responsibility ends. We built a national front door to crisis care with 988. Now we need to strengthen what comes next by expanding mobile crisis response, increasing access to immediate community-based care, and connecting people to the treatment and support they need.” “Everyday, millions of Americans face mental challenges and are unsure where to go for help,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick . “The 988 hotline streamlines resources for those in need, as part of a network of over 200 local crisis centers, yet only thirteen-percent of adults are aware of this critical resource. I am proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing the 988 Implementation Act to build upon the critical progress we have made, and further ensure that our communities are properly equipped with crisis-response services.” As America’s mental health crisis worsens , 988 has spent the past four years demonstrating the lifesaving power of connecting people in crisis with the right help at the right time. A study published this year by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that suicide deaths among children and young adults fell 11% below projected levels following the launch of 988, the largest declines were seen in states where 988 use increased most. The 988 Implementation Act will help address those gaps in access to care by: Strengthening federal funding for 988 regional and local call centers to deliver timely, 24/7 response to callers; Expanding community-based and mobile crisis response so trained behavioral health professionals can reach someone who needs in-person support; Improving access and affordability by requiring health insurance plans to cover crisis services; Growing crisis workforce development with more funding for training and scholarship opportunities; Increasing awareness of 988 through a national suicide prevention and crisis services campaign. Trahan, Matsui and Fitzpatrick are joined by original cosponsors Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), and Becca Balint (D-VT-AL). Since being sworn into Congress in 2019, Trahan has led efforts to expand access to quality mental health care and improve the resources and support of those in need of care. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed Trahan’s Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Reauthorization Act which ensured the continuation and strengthening of community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts. Earlier this year, she spearheaded a bipartisan group of 100 House members demanding the Trump administration reverse its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants that fund local mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country. This past May, Trahan led the bipartisan introduction of the Campus Lifeline Act of 2026 , legislation aiming to expand awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students and young adults. Full text of the 988 Implementation Act can be found HERE . ###