USA Today (9/17, Ramirez) reports Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) stated Wednesday they will introduce legislation that “would reinstate the specialized suicide crisis lifeline for LGBTQ+ young people and direct the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to dedicate funding toward ‘re-establishing, operating and maintaining’ the program.” The Administration eliminated the service two months ago, leaving a “void for young LGBTQ+ people who have no place to turn, according to the senators. Before being shut down, a troubled youth could call 988 and press ‘3’ to get connected directly to a counselor specializing in LGBTQ+ issues.” According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the LGBTQ+ program had served nearly 1.6 million young people since its inception, with a rising number of contacts each year.
Related Links:
— “Senators propose bill to reinstate LGBTQ+ youth crisis lifeline option eliminated by Trump,”Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, September 17, 2025