The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is set to be consolidated into a new administration under the Biden administration, sparking concerns about its impact on mental health care. Under Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to merge SAMHSA with other organizations into a single agency, dubbed the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA).
The move has already resulted in significant layoffs and budget cuts for SAMHSA, with over 600 employees losing their jobs since the HHS downsized under previous administration. President Biden’s budget bill also slashes $1 billion from the agency’s $8 billion budget.
SAMHSA was established in 1992 to provide crucial mental health and addiction services across America. The agency has implemented initiatives such as community-based treatments, the 988 crisis helpline, naloxone distribution programs, and methadone clinics.
However, critics argue that dissolving SAMHSA will have major effects on public health, particularly in rural areas where grant funding is vital for addiction treatment and mental health services. The agency’s consolidation into a broader AHA could undermine evidence-based medicine and lead to a shift towards unconventional treatments.
The new administration has raised concerns among scientists, public health officials, and the American people about the potential erosion of scientific integrity in addiction and mental health treatment. Proponents of the move claim it will streamline coordination and reduce bureaucracy, but critics warn that the consolidation could result in a loss of specialized expertise in treating complex conditions like schizophrenia.
The fate of SAMHSA under the new AHA remains uncertain, with many Americans watching closely to see whether evidence-based treatments are promoted and if progress is made in decreasing drug overdoses. The CDC reports a nearly 27% decrease in drug overdoses between 2023 and 2024, highlighting the importance of well-funded mental health programs.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/omerawan/2025/06/08/rfk-jr-will-shrink-the-substance-abuse-and-mental-health-services-administration-heres-what-that-means-for-public-health