Yesterday, the Trump Administration declared a nationwide public health emergency to address the opioid crisis.

The declaration will allow public health agencies to re-direct existing resources to the crisis, cut red tape in hiring personnel and expand access to telemedicine services for remote prescribing. By ordering a Public Health Emergency Declaration rather than a Declaration of Emergency, the Administration essentially ensured that agencies and organizations would have to rely on funding that has been repurposed rather than making new funds available. Congress could appropriate new funding later this year, either through a separate funding package or as part of the final FY18 Omnibus funding bill.

NCSD joined other leading HIV and STD groups in responding to the President’s declaration, calling on the president to submit an emergency supplemental appropriations request to grant additional funds to local health departments and community-based organizations. 

This factsheet on the declaration from the Administration notes that “[this] action allows for shifting of resources within HIV/AIDS programs to help people eligible for those programs receive substance abuse treatment, which is important given the connection between HIV transmission and substance abuse.” It is unclear at this time the details of this “shifting” of resources, as the Ryan White funding is currently permitted to support substance abuse programs for those in the Ryan White program.  NCSD will keep you updated as we learn more.