The House Republicans are calling for an investigation into the management of unspent mental health funding by the federal government. Specifically, they are concerned about how COVID-19 emergency money and funds allocated for the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline have been utilized. In a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Republicans from the House Energy and Commerce Committee expressed their worries over how funds granted to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have been utilized.
SAMHSA, like many other agencies, received emergency money to address the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency’s annual budget authority for fiscal year 2021 was $5.8 billion, but an additional $7.8 billion was allocated through COVID-19 supplemental funding. The Republicans pointed out SAMHSA’s report that 53 million adults in the United States had a mental illness in 2020, including 14 million adults with serious mental illness, with the pandemic exacerbating mental health concerns.
The COVID relief money and funding for the 988 hotline were primarily distributed through grants to states and other grantees. Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and other committee leaders have asked the GAO to investigate delays in spending this money and assess SAMHSA’s oversight of this funding. They raised concerns about how quickly these funds are being utilized and whether SAMHSA is adequately administering and supervising this extra funding.
In conclusion, it is important that we ensure that our mental health care system receives adequate support during these challenging times, particularly as we continue to address ongoing mental health concerns brought on by COVID-19. As such, it is crucial that we hold those responsible for managing this funding accountable for their actions.
In summary, House Republicans are requesting an investigation into how unspent mental health funds have been managed by federal authorities specifically looking at COVID-19 emergency money and funds allocated for launching the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline. The GAO will investigate delays in spending these funds while also assessing SAMHSA’s oversight of this extra funding.
As Cathy McMorris Rodgers emphasized “It is essential that we ensure our mental health care system receives adequate support during these trying times.”
