Access to New Community Health Opportunities and Recovery Act of 2025; ANCHOR Act of 2025
Summary
The ANCHOR Act of 2025 aims to amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act, offering states the option to provide medical assistance to individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders. This bill allows states to extend Medicaid coverage to uninsured individuals with incomes below 100% of the poverty line who have a qualifying mental health or substance use condition.
Qualifying conditions include serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, opioid use disorder, and stimulant use disorder. The bill ensures that individuals receive care plans and that states report behavioral health measures.
This expansion of Medicaid aims to improve access to healthcare for vulnerable populations, potentially reducing the burden on emergency services and improving overall public health.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to expand Medicaid coverage to uninsured individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. States would have the option to provide medical assistance, leading to varied implementation across the country. This could result in increased access to treatment and support services for those who need it most.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to healthcare for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders.
- Potential reduction in emergency room visits and associated costs.
- Improved health outcomes and quality of life for vulnerable populations.
- State flexibility in determining appropriate entities for condition diagnosis.
- Alignment with the goal of promoting the general welfare as stated in the Constitution's preamble.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased state Medicaid costs, potentially straining state budgets.
- Variability in implementation across states, leading to unequal access to care.
- Potential administrative burden for states to redetermine eligibility annually.
- Possible challenges in ensuring the quality and coordination of care.
- The 100% poverty line income threshold may exclude some individuals in need.
Constitutional Alignment
The ANCHOR Act aligns with the Constitution's preamble, which aims to "promote the general Welfare." By expanding healthcare access to vulnerable populations, the bill supports this principle. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, giving states the option to implement this program, respecting state sovereignty. However, the expansion of Medicaid also raises questions about the scope of federal power under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8), as it involves federal funding and mandates for state healthcare programs.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).