Trump administration cuts $2 billion in federal mental health and addiction funding

Notices said nearly $2 billion in federal funding to more than 2,000 mental health and substance abuse programs will end effective immediately, according to agency notices and people inside the government.

Federal notices issued late Tuesday informed more than 2,000 programs that nearly $2 billion in funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be terminated effective immediately. The form letter cited a shift toward supporting "innovative programs and interventions" addressing rising mental illness, substance use, overdose and suicide as the reason the grants no longer aligned with agency priorities. Officials at SAMHSA did not respond to requests for comment, and people inside the government and news outlets confirmed the notices. Key facts: - Nearly $2 billion in SAMHSA grants were terminated and notices went to more than 2,000 programs nationwide. - Affected programs include drug courts, services for pregnant and postpartum women in recovery, screening and referral services, overdose prevention education, and training for emergency responders. - Several organizations and state programs reported specific cuts, including $5.2 million to Missouri emergency medical services training programs, $20 million reported by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and $1.8 million to a large Chicago treatment provider. - Congress reauthorized the SUPPORT Act in December, and lawmakers are expected to consider an appropriations package that includes SAMHSA funding by the end of the month. Summary: The immediate termination of these grants removes established federal funding for prevention, treatment and recovery services across the country, and federal staff and program leaders reported being blindsided by the notices. Some organizations and state programs reported multi-million dollar losses that will affect training, outreach and direct services. Congress is expected to consider an appropriations package that includes SAMHSA funding by the end of the month; the outcome is undetermined at this time.