Washington, D.C. – The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is deeply concerned about the restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which could undermine the health of low-income individuals, people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQI+ folks, individuals in rural areas, and other underserved communities. It would have a devastating effect on the efforts to address the nation’s substance use disorder crises and ability to provide supports and services to people with mental health needs.
HHS’ proposal, pushed by Elon Musk’s DOGE project, calls for the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), scattering its programs and disrupting critical supports for people with disabilities and older adults. ACL was established to advance the independence and inclusion of people with disabilities and older adults, and serves a unique role as a hub to coordinate access to community living. ACL is the voice in the government of these communities, and dismantling it weakens the administration’s ability to effectively address disabled people’s and older adults’ needs.
The cuts proposed to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) harm the one agency that is singularly charged with advancing behavioral health and improving the lives of people with mental health needs and substance use disorder (SUD). SAMHSA plays an essential role in facilitating access to evidence-based behavioral health practices and implementing fundamental strategies to reduce overdose deaths. By reportedly cutting a massive percentage of all SAMHSA staff (with some reports pointing to upwards of 50% of the entire agency staff), HHS is undoing progress in the fight against the overdose epidemic and putting the lives of thousands of Americans with behavioral health conditions at risk.
Additionally, we are deeply troubled by the proposed changes that undermine the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The plan appears to strip OCR of its direct reporting line to the HHS Secretary, which could diminish its ability to enforce civil rights and HIPAA protections.
Five of HHS’ 10 regional offices are also being eliminated, making it harder for people nationwide to seek help when facing discrimination or other issues accessing services. These offices provide crucial technical assistance, training, and support to local entities, a role that will be difficult to replace at the federal level.
Slashing nearly 20,000 jobs across the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) raises serious risks to public health, oversight, and access to critical health services.
“As longtime advocates for health rights, we strongly believe that HHS should efficiently meet the health needs of people across the country,” says Mara Youdelman, Managing Director of Federal Advocacy at the National Health Law Program. “However, rather than improving efficiency, these changes threaten lifesaving programs and civil rights protections. Secretary Kennedy promised radical transparency, but these massive and disruptive changes are occurring without any input from the public or health advocates. We call on Congress to provide critical oversight of these proposed changes before these indiscriminate cuts negatively impact millions of people.”
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