According to Psychiatric News (7/30), on July 29, “the U.S. House of Representatives approved significant funding increases for key mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) programs included in the FY 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bills.” This “legislation increases funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by $3.16 billion, an increase of nearly 50% over FY 2021, to $9.16 billion.” In response, the American Psychiatric Association “issued a statement thanking House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and the committee for leading the effort to provide the funding in the legislation.” APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, MD, MPA, said, “This week’s action by the House is step one in an appropriations process that needs to go through the legislative process.” Dr. Levin added, “But the best way to position funding for psychiatry and mental health, including substance use, for success is for the APA administration and our members to be aggressive advocates at every step in the process. So spread the word. Our advocacy matters and is making a difference.”
Related Links:
— “House Passes Bills to Boost Funding for Mental Health, Substance Use Programs, Psychiatric News, July 30, 2021