Trump Signs Stimulus Bill, Clearing Billions in New Behavioral Funding

President Donald Trump has signed a $2.3 trillion stimulus bill into law. Signed Dec. 27, the legislation includes billions in behavioral health funding.

The relief package includes an additional $4.25 billion in funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on top of regular fiscal year 2021 spending. That funding will be split between various SAMHSA programs, some of which include:

  • $1.65 billion for the Substance Abuse and Prevention Treatment Block Grant program;
  • $1.65 billion for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program;
  • $600 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs);
  • $50 million for various suicide prevention programs;
  • $50 million for Project AWARE;
  • and $240 million in emergency grants to states.

Additionally, the new law increases and continues funding for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It also extends the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program through September 30, 2023.

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Industry leaders praised the legislation after Congress first passed it earlier in December.

“The life-saving work of organizations providing mental health and substance use treatment and services is more essential than ever,” Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health, said in a statement. “While we believe additional federal support will be necessary, we welcome today’s much needed relief and funding package.”

Ingoglia also said the relief package would give behavioral health organizations more stability at a time when they’re facing especially high demand — and strain.

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Overall, the relief package allotted $900 billion in new COVID-19 relief and $1.4 trillion in funding for the federal government through September 30, 2021.

You can read the full text of the legislation here.