Sign‐on letter for SAPT increase due March 20

Abstract

Representatives Paul Tonko (D‐New York) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R‐Pennsylvania) need signatures for their letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging a $500 million increase for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) block grant in fiscal year 2020. “This funding stream serves as the cornerstone of States' substance abuse treatment, prevention, and recovery systems,” states the letter. “SAPT Block Grant funds, which are distributed by formula to all States and Territories, provide lifesaving treatment services to approximately 1.5 million individuals per year. In some States, the SAPT investment accounts for 100 percent of substance use prevention dollars. Unfortunately, SAPT Block Grant funding has not kept up with inflation, resulting in a 24 percent—or $444 million—decrease in actual funding since 2009.” The block grant has been just over $2 billion for decades. The letter requests that legislators fund just over $2.358 million for the SAPT block grant, which is equal to what the House of Representatives approved in the FY2019 Labor‐Health and Human Services Appropriations legislation and a $500 million increase over current funding levels. To sign on to the letter, contact Jeff Morgan in Rep. Tonko's office at jeff.morgan@mail.house.gov or Joseph Knowles in Rep. Fitzpatrick's office at joseph.knowles@mail.house.gov.