By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • The White House and Department of Health and Human Services reversed a decision to cut nearly $2 billion in federal mental health and substance abuse grant funding, officials confirmed this week.
- • The funding is administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and supports programs nationwide.
- • About 2,000 grantees were initially notified of immediate terminations before the reversal was announced.
- • Lawmakers and service providers expressed concern over the abrupt cuts and chaotic notifications before the restoration.
WASHINGTON — The White House and Department of Health and Human Services announced this week that nearly $2 billion in federal grants for mental health and substance abuse programs will be restored after an abrupt decision to terminate the funding drew widespread backlash.
The grants, administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), support a range of discretionary programs addressing addiction treatment, mental health care and related services nationwide.
Grantees were notified late Tuesday that the funding was being canceled immediately, affecting approximately 2,000 awards that service providers and nonprofits rely on to operate.
Late Wednesday, officials confirmed the funding cuts were being rescinded and the grants would be restored, following criticism from lawmakers and service organizations about the potential disruption to critical services.
Lawmakers, including members of both parties, had warned that the sudden elimination of funding would jeopardize vital community programs. Some providers reported confusion and operational challenges during the period between the termination notices and the reversal.