The bill addresses the behavioral health crisis in the United States, with a focus on Rhode Island, by highlighting the high prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders, the frequent use of emergency rooms for behavioral health crises, and the barriers to accessing treatment, such as insurance-related issues and a shortage of behavioral health care providers. It notes that increased reimbursement rates for behavioral health providers could improve access to outpatient treatment and reduce emergency department utilization.

To address these issues, the bill proposes an amendment to the "Health Care Accessibility and Quality Assurance Act" by adding a new section that mandates healthcare entities and network plans to include in their contracts with providers for in-network outpatient behavioral health services a provision for a rate increase. This increase, effective January 1, 2024, would be no less than the US All Urban Consumer All Items Less Food and Energy CPI percentage increase plus an additional five percent. The bill emphasizes that this change is necessary to attract and retain in-network outpatient behavioral health providers, thereby increasing access to treatment and reducing reliance on emergency departments. The act would take effect upon passage.