Governor Kathy Hochul is sounding the alarm over sweeping federal cuts that she says will gut critical health services across New York. The state stands to lose more than $360 million in funding for public health, addiction treatment, and mental health support.
The cuts, triggered by decisions under the Trump administration, will weaken New York’s ability to fight disease, aid recovery from substance abuse, and care for residents struggling with mental illness. Hochul called on federal lawmakers to reverse course, warning that the state cannot shoulder the financial burden alone.
The state Department of Health expects to lose over $300 million in funding, dealing a major blow to virus tracking, outbreak response, hospital infection prevention, and real-time public health data systems. Programs that help identify and prevent chronic disease, promote nutrition, and address maternal health and food security will also be affected. The cuts include the elimination of the CDC’s COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant, which supported 135 community-based groups across the state.
The Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) will lose $40 million. The loss will significantly reduce access to transitional housing, mobile medication units, addiction treatment clinics, and early intervention programs like SBIRT. OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham warned the funding cut will put lives at risk and strain frontline workers responding to the addiction crisis.
Meanwhile, the Office of Mental Health (OMH) is facing a $27 million funding loss. That money supported community-based mental health programs that helped individuals stay in their homes and avoid hospitalization. Key programs now at risk include crisis stabilization centers, Assertive Community Treatment teams for adults and youth, and the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis call centers.
State officials described the cuts as reckless and poorly planned. Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald criticized the move for leaving communities vulnerable to the next public health emergency. OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan warned the progress made in mental health services could be reversed without swift federal intervention.
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