Baldwin calls decision “reckless” and “dangerous”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, slammed the Trump Administration for abruptly canceling what appears to be $2 billion in funding for thousands of programs nationwide that are helping Americans get mental health support and combat the opioid and fentanyl crisis. Today, it was reported that the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under President Donald Trump sent as many as 2,800 grant cancellation notices for programs that support communities confronting the mental health and addiction epidemics.
“As American communities work tirelessly to turn the tide on the opioid and addiction epidemic, President Trump is turning his back on struggling families and cutting off support for folks who need it most,” said Senator Baldwin. “President Trump and RFK Jr.’s decision to cut off these programs cold turkey is not just reckless, it’s outright dangerous for Americans who are dealing with some serious issues. Kneecapping and defunding the fight against the opioid and mental health epidemics will not ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ it will put American lives on the line. President Trump and RFK, Jr. need to reverse this decision immediately before more American families suffer at the hands of addiction and fentanyl.”
Late Tuesday, SAMHSA sent hundreds of termination letters, immediately cancelling federal grants across nearly all of SAMHSA’s programs that support mental health and substance use treatment and prevention, reportedly totaling nearly $2 billion.
An online version of this release is available here.
