Confusion erupts in mental health and substance abuse programs as HHS cuts, then reinstates grants
Providers, state health agencies and others are feeling whiplash and confusion after the Trump administration eliminated and then abruptly reinstated grants that support substance abuse and mental health programs nationwide. The administration first notified grant recipients that their funding was being pulled Tuesday evening. By Wednesday evening, news reports were suggesting the cuts might be reversed — but grant recipients hadn’t been notified. It wasn’t until Thursday morning that grant recipients got confirmation the grant terminations were rescinded. One provider’s CEO said the episode builds on a pattern of uncertainty that makes it difficult to make long-term plans. An HHS spokesperson didn’t answer an inquiry about the reasoning and declined to comment about the confusion.