US health officials reverse course and reinstate $1.9bn to mental health and substance use
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- US health officials reversed nearly $2 billion in cuts to mental health and substance use programs just one day after announcing immediate shutdowns, restoring vital funding to key services.
- The cuts, initially proposed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., would have impacted overdose prevention, mental health support for children and first responders, and recovery programs, sparking widespread public and political backlash.
- Lawmakers, including Representative Rosa DeLauro and Senator Patty Murray, criticized the sudden cuts and praised the reinstatement, highlighting the confusion and harm caused to families and healthcare providers.
- Experts warn that despite the reversal, the administration's ongoing efforts to reduce health agency budgets threaten the stability of behavioral health services relied upon by millions.
- The episode underscores the importance
