1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

The Department of Health and Human Services' plan to downsize and restructure raises serious concerns about the impact on critical public health programs and services. The decision to shut down the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and fold it into a new entity puts at risk billions in funding for addiction treatment, mental health services, and the national 988 suicide prevention hotline. Similarly, eliminating 2,400 jobs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would severely undermine the agency's ability to monitor and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, conduct vital public health research, and support state and local health departments nationwide. These agencies play indispensable roles in safeguarding the nation's public health infrastructure and responding to emergencies. Their expertise and resources are essential for addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, improving access to mental health care, and strengthening our pandemic preparedness efforts. Gutting their workforce and dismantling long-standing programs would be detrimental to the well-being of communities across the country. I urge you to reconsider these drastic cuts and instead work to strengthen and adequately fund SAMHSA, the CDC, and other vital public health agencies. Their work is critical to promoting healthy communities and saving lives, and they deserve robust support, not downsizing. The American people's health and safety should be the top priority.