On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services cut $2 billion in substance abuse and mental health grants. Less than 24 hours later, the agency reversed course and restored most of the grants. But providers and health agencies across the country are still experiencing whiplash and confusion on what’s next and how to respond.
“Unusual doesn’t begin to describe it,” said Andrew Kessler, head of Slingshot Solutions, a consultancy firm that works with mental health and addiction groups nationwide. “I have never seen anything like this — let alone on this scale.”
He described the moment providers began receiving notices as chaotic and unprecedented.
“Someone said to me, ‘What do we do?’,” Kessler said. “And I said, ‘I’ve never seen this before.’”
According to Kessler, some organizations were preparing to shut down services immediately.
“There were people all over the country saying, ‘We have to shut down today,’” he said.
While the funding has been restored, Kessler said the uncertainty remains. Providers say the real test will be whether policy stability follows.
“After the brief celebration, no one’s saying, ‘That’s that,’” he said. “Everyone’s on guard for what happens next.”
