‘People will die’: Trump administration cancels up to $1.9bn for substance use and mental health
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration abruptly canceled up to $1.9 billion in funding for substance use and mental health care, affecting about 2,800 grantees and 26% of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (Samhsa) budget, which providers warn will immediately impact thousands of patients.
- The cuts disrupt a wide range of critical services including overdose prevention, naloxone distribution, mental health support in schools, and recovery programs, potentially reversing recent progress in reducing overdose deaths.
- Samhsa staff were reportedly not consulted or informed about the funding cancellations, which were justified by the administration as a shift towards programs better aligned with its priorities, despite critics arguing these services are essential and aligned with stated goals.
- The funding
