The Biden Administration is requesting Congressional approval for an unprecedented level of funding to help tackle the nation’s opioid crisis. The request comes as part of the president’s new discretionary budget proposal, which also includes other forms of mental health funding.
As part of the nearly $132 billion proposal for fiscal year (FY) 2022, the administration asked the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for $10.7 billion to help support research, prevention, treatment and peer recovery services aimed at combating opioid use disorder (OUD). The funding would particularly target investments in populations with unique needs, including Native Americans, older Americans and residents of rural communities.
The figure marks an increase in OUD funding of about $3.9 billion over the 2021 enacted level. The historic request comes in response to an epidemic that itself has reached record highs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 81,230 fatal drug overdoses for the 12-month period ending in May 2020. The fatalities, which have been largely attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, were the most ever recorded over a year’s time. Plus, the number represents an increase of approximately 18% from the 12-month period ending in June 2019.
In addition to addressing the opioid crisis, the Administration’s FY 2022 proposal also called for investments in resources to help Americans whose mental health has worsened since the onset pandemic.
The budget proposal specifically requests $1.6 billion for Community Mental Health Services Block Grants, which are provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and eight territories. The requests build on resources that were included in Biden’s stimulus plan passed earlier this year — and that amount is more than double the 2021 enacted level.
The proposal also asks Congress to approve mental health resources for individuals in the criminal justice system, as well as more money for providers partnering with law enforcement agencies and for expanding anti-suicide initiatives. Additionally, the budget calls for $1 billion to be put toward increasing the number of counselors, nurses and mental health professionals in schools, as well as $97.5 billion to be put toward the Department for Veterans Affairs (VA) for a variety of health care resorces, some of which include veteran mental health and suicide prevention programs.
“This moment of crisis is also a moment of possibility,” said OMB acting director Shalanda Young — in regards to a variety of critical domestic issues including the opioid epidemic — in a letter addressed to leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations and Budget Committees. “The upcoming appropriations process is another important opportunity to continue laying a stronger foundation for the future and reversing a legacy of chronic disinvestment in crucial priorities.
