MATCH Act of 2025

Overview: HR 5781, the MATCH Act of 2025, was introduced in the House on October 17, 2025.

Purpose and Intent: The bill aims to establish a federal program to provide matching funds to states and local governments for the implementation of comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment (MATCH) initiatives. The goal is to improve access to mental health and substance abuse services and reduce the burden on the criminal justice system.

Key Provisions:
- Creates a new grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to provide matching funds to states and localities for MATCH programs
- Requires grant recipients to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to address mental health and addiction issues, including crisis intervention, treatment, and recovery support services
- Authorizes $500 million in annual funding for the MATCH grant program
- Establishes reporting requirements and performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the funded programs

Affected Parties and Impacts: The MATCH Act would primarily benefit state and local governments, as well as individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. It could lead to the expansion of mental health and addiction treatment services in underserved communities.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations: HR 5781 has been introduced in the House and is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. If passed, the MATCH grant program would be implemented within 6 months of the bill's enactment.