The Department of Health and Human Services has decided to reinstate $2 billion in funding for mental health and substance abuse a day after it said the funding would be cancelled.
On Tuesday, many groups were informed that the funding, a part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. But, by Wednesday, the decision had been reversed.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, said that the reversal was likely due to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. having “bowed to public pressure.”
“These are cuts he should not have issued in the first place. He must be cautious when making decisions that will impact Americans’ health. Our policy must be thoughtful – not haphazard and chaotic. This episode has only created uncertainty and confusion for families and healthcare providers,” she continued.
SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, focuses on behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse issues. It falls under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services and offers services such as crisis hotlines, opioid treatment, and even behavioral health that is a product of traumatic events, such as natural disasters.
When the cancellation was first announced, it caused negative feedback from doctors and behavioral health advocacy groups. The American College of Emergency Physicians issued a news release expressing that it was “deeply concerned” with the cuts.
“Every day and every shift, in just about every ED across the country, emergency physicians and ED teams care for patients experiencing behavioral health and substance use emergencies; often in communities without the capacity or resources to meet their needs in more appropriate settings,” said L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP, President of ACEP.
“Emergency care cannot replace the community-based behavioral health system, nor should it have to. We urge the Administration to reverse these terminations immediately and work with Congress, states, clinicians, and community providers to strengthen—not hinder—access to mental health and substance use disorder services. Lives depend on it,” he continued.
About 2,000 organizations were affected by the cuts. They received notices of the cuts, and then almost immediately, notices to ignore the prior notice.
“Your award will remain active under its original terms and conditions,” a letter than a New York care provider shared with NPR read. “Please disregard the prior termination notice and continue program activities as outlined in you award agreement.”
Although HHS has been silent on what caused the sharp policy U-turn, the effort to get the cuts reversed was a bipartisan effort.
“We heard from offices on both sides of the political aisle who were working on this issue throughout the day,” said Hannah Wesolowski with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The bipartisan pressure, she said, “really speaks to the power of the collaboration on this issue.”
