This bill would remove a long-standing restriction in Medicaid that prevents the program from paying for mental health treatment at institutions specializing in mental illness. Currently, Medicaid excludes coverage for patients receiving care at mental health institutions, a limitation that has applied primarily to seniors age 65 and older, but this bill would eliminate that exclusion for all age groups. The change affects Medicaid beneficiaries who need inpatient psychiatric treatment and the mental health institutions that serve them. The bill would take effect on October 1, 2024, allowing Medicaid to begin covering these previously excluded services immediately. The legislation does not specify new funding amounts, but removing this exclusion would allow existing Medicaid funds to be used for institutional mental health care that is currently not covered.