Trump Administration Reverses Decision To Cut $2 Billion for Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Less than a day after the Trump administration announced the cancellation of nearly $2 billion in funding for mental health and substance use services nationwide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reversed course.

On Tuesday, January 13, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., notified more than 2,000 behavioral health programs that, effective Friday, the administration was terminating their Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) discretionary grants, which provide resources and services for overdose prevention, addiction recovery, and mental health treatment.

After facing congressional and public pressure to restore the funding, HHS reinstated the grants late Wednesday, January 14.

U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement late Wednesday that Congress holds the power of the purse, and Kennedy must follow the law.

“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,” DeLauro wrote.

Governor Ned Lamont also spoke out against the cuts before the decision was rescinded.

“The Trump administration’s recent decision to arbitrarily cut funding for mental health and substance use programs across Connecticut and the nation threatens essential services that countless Americans depend on,” said Governor Lamont.  “Halting previously promised funding creates unnecessary anxiety and jeopardizes care for some of our most vulnerable residents, especially those seeking help.  As we evaluate the full impact, we demand the federal government reverse course on these dire cuts and ensure those seeking critical resources have access to them.”

Connecticut has made substantial progress in reducing overdose deaths, combating stigma, and improving access and parity for mental health and substance use treatment.  Funding cuts would undermine that progress and weaken our shared system of care at a critical moment.  Connecticut hospitals remain committed to working with state and federal partners to protect behavioral health resources and ensure continuity of care for our most vulnerable patients.