1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Federal mental health grants support lifesaving programs — like those in our state — that provide mental health and substance use treatment services, including education and training for the behavioral health workforce, prevention and early intervention programs, mental health crisis response, peer and family supports, and more. Unfortunately, Tuesday night, the Administration terminated hundreds of grants that fund these efforts, suddenly and without warning. This is funding that Congress specifically provided to address the mental health and substance abuse needs of our communities nationwide. Please assert Congress’s constitutional authority over spending. • Publicly assert that these grant terminations cannot be capriciously imposed after Congress has allocated funds, and immediately restore the funding Congress approved to help people affected by mental health conditions. • Act in support of lawsuits by community organizations who received notifications of grant terminations, affirming that Congressional allocations are not subject to arbitrary and capricious cancellation • Hold hearings that require HHS to explain what services are available to fill gaps immediately left by these grant terminations • If insufficient services currently exist to meet the mental health and substance dependence needs these grant recipients have been providing to American communities, begin impeachment proceedings against those responsible for this policy decision Unilateral, overnight withdrawal of funding that supports American communities is chaotic, uninformed, and dangerous. Our communities deserve better and this is money Congress already negotiated and allotted.