The lives of the American people may be negatively impacted by the leaders of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, who are preparing to implement budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2025 that would affect non-defense discretionary (NDD) funds. NDD supports a wide range of domestic and international programs crucial for various aspects of American life, including scientific research; healthcare for veterans; law enforcement; mental health and substance use disorder treatment; public health; humanitarian aid and development; and several other services that Americans rely on daily (NBHAP Letter, 2024).
In response, 1,050 organizations, including the National Behavioral Health Association of Providers (NBHAP), which support the entire United States daily, are urging Congress through a letter not to pass the proposed budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2025. The reductions in funding could lead to decreased access to services, longer wait times, and a decline in the quality of services provided. If the budget cuts pass, there would be negative consequences for people’s lives; for example, healthcare services for veterans might suffer, infrastructure projects could be delayed or canceled, and educational institutions might receive fewer resources.
The letter emphasizes that organizations need sufficient funding to cover increasing costs and meet growing demands. It also opposes the use of poison pill policy riders- additional provisions attached to legislation that could weaken or undermine the priorities and effectiveness of these funded programs. Several government-funded programs contribute to economic stability and growth, and cutting their funding can lead to job losses and reduced economic activity.
Cutting funding for the upcoming fiscal year can harm essential services and the economy, yet it will still not substantially reduce the national debt or deficit. The areas typically targeted for funding cuts, like non-defense discretionary (NDD) spending, only make up less than one-sixth of the overall federal budget. Most of the budget money is allocated to mandatory spending programs like Social Security, Medicare, and defense. Therefore, cutting funds for NDD programs only harms the lives of the American people without even achieving the main purpose of the budget cuts: Significantly reducing the federal budget. Critics argue that limiting funding increases for vital services such as non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs, which are heavily relied upon by the American people, is a short-sighted approach that fails to address broader fiscal challenges.
As demonstrated by the enactment of the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations law, there was a strong governing majority in favor of more robust investments. Organizations opposing the budget cuts argue that setting non-defense discretionary (NDD) appropriations at low, arbitrary levels does not meet actual needs. Lawmakers are urged to avoid including poison pill policy riders in the funding legislation. At least thousands of organizations that are crucial for supporting Americans every day want to prevent such provisions that could undermine the priorities and effectiveness of the funded programs. There is a big call for sufficient investment to address the needs of the nation, emphasizing the importance of protecting American competitiveness, security, economic strength, and essential services for families and individuals.
To view the complete text of the letter, click here.
Pete Nielsen LAADC, CADC II, CAI, SAP
President & CEO at CCAPP | 800-564-5927
Pete Nielsen is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), CCAPP Credentialing, CCAPP Education Institute and the Behavioral Health Association of Providers (BHAP), and Publisher of Counselor Magazine
CCAPP is the largest statewide consortium of addiction programs and professionals, and the only one representing all modalities of substance use disorder treatment programs. BHAP is the leading and unifying voice of addiction-focused treatment programs nationally.
Mr. Nielsen has worked in the substance use disorders field for 20 years. In addition to association management, he brings to the table experience as an interventionist, family recovery specialist, counselor, administrator, and educator, with positions including campus director, academic dean, and instructor.
Mr. Nielsen is the secretary of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, and the publisher for Counselor magazine. He is a nationally known speaker and writer published in numerous industry-specific magazines. Mr. Nielsen holds a Master of Arts in counseling psychology and a Bachelor of Science in business management.