WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Action from the Trump administration created confusion this week with the restoration of mental health funding following an approximate $2 billion cut.
The Department of Health and Human Services cut the funding Wednesday, saying it didn’t align with their agenda, then restored it 12 hours later. The department did not give a reason for reinstating the funding. It’s a situation that led to a combination of relief and uncertainty.
Local professionals react to funding uncertainty
Dr. Molly Allen, a licensed psychologist in Wichita, said she heard from colleagues who suddenly had funding cut off with no warning.
“You’ve got this autism group, funding gets cut, there’s no place for these kids to go,” Allen said.
Allen said the brief cancellation created uncertainty about service continuity.
“I heard some chatter about, ‘We don’t know if we’re actually going to be able to keep providing these services,’” she said.
The rapid reversal has left mental health professionals hesitant about future planning.
“If I was in charge of a community mental health center and I got funding slashed one day, restored the next, I would be hesitant to plan some programming,” Allen said.
Governor prioritizes mental health services
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has stated she will prioritize mental health services for her final year in office.
“We need more treatment beds, we need more professionals, we need more crisis response,” Kelly said.
Allen said access to mental health care can be the difference between life and death.
“It’s an attempt to provide all citizens with what they need. If you can’t get your mental health meds filled, then that’s essential,” she said.
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