Members of Congress: Increase Funding for SUD Workforce Programs

Both chambers of Congress have begun the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). As part of this, Congress will determine funding levels for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR-LRP) and the Addiction Medicine Fellowship (AMF) Program. These are key programs to address America's shortage of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers and expand patient access to evidence-based treatments.

To demonstrate support for these programs, several members of Congress have released a "Dear Colleague" letter to leaders in the House and Senate who are responsible for developing the FY 2026 Labor-HHS appropriations bill. Both letters call for:

• $50 million for the STAR-LRP in FY26. STAR-LRP helps individuals repay student loans if they pursue full-time addiction treatment jobs in high-need areas.
  

• $30 million for the AMF Program. This program expands the number of fellows at accredited addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry fellowship programs who work in underserved, community-based settings that integrate primary care with mental health and SUD prevention and treatment services.

The letters highlight the urgent need for a stronger SUD treatment and recovery workforce. Read the House letter here and the Senate letter here.