News
ASAM Statement on HHS Restructuring of SAMHSA, Addiction Programs
ASAM urges HHS to appoint a leader with expertise in addiction medicine to coordinate critical substance use disorder initiatives across the federal government
Rockville, MD (March 27, 2025) - In response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) reorganization announcement and the absorption of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) into a new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), Brian Hurley, MD, MBA, FAPA, DFASAM, president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), issued the following statement:
“ASAM is deeply concerned about the possible domino effects of SAMHSA’s restructuring and its potential to deprioritize addiction care services nationwide. Any weakening of centralized substance use disorder (SUD) expertise within HHS would be cause for alarm, especially amidst the ongoing deadly addiction and overdose crisis.
Services needed to treat addiction, which is a preventable and treatable chronic disease, must be facilitated throughout all six of AHA’s new divisions: Primary Care, Maternal and Child Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, HIV/AIDS, and Workforce. Because of the cross-cutting nature of addiction, ASAM implores HHS Secretary Kennedy to appoint a dedicated leader within AHA to helm SUD initiatives, coordinate across these divisions, and importantly, work directly with CMS on improving coverage and reimbursement for addiction treatment.
A key priority must be ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of evidence-based addiction treatment through Medicare and Medicaid. Closing dangerous coverage gaps in these programs is essential to providing a stable medical floor under this high-risk patient population. This is critical if the Administration hopes to beat back the drug cartels and halt illicit fentanyl.
ASAM stands ready to work with HHS and fellow stakeholders to advance smart and efficient policies that ensure every American in need of health services, including addiction and mental health treatments, can receive the care they need.”
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About the American Society of Addiction Medicine
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), founded in 1954, is a professional medical society representing over 8,000 physicians, clinicians, and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine. ASAM is dedicated to increasing access and improving the quality of addiction treatment, educating physicians and the public, supporting research and prevention, and promoting the appropriate role of physicians in the care of patients with addiction. For more information, visit www.ASAM.org.
Media Contact
Sarah Shelson
301-547-4110
sshelson@ASAM.org