The Act required five essential services:
- inpatient care
- outpatient care
- emergency services
- partial hospitalization
- consultation and education
Five additional services were added which included diagnostic services, rehabilitation services, pre-care and aftercare services, training, and research and evaluation. Essentially, it ensured access to mental health services and the continuity of care to all persons residing in the various catchment areas regardless if they were able to pay for such services (Bloom, 1977).