Milwaukee County Executive Crowley Responds to Expected Cuts to Federal Funding Dedicated to Supporting Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, and EMS Services

MILWAUKEE – This week, the State of Wisconsin and Governor Evers’ administration received notice of the Trump Administration’s plans to cut over $210 million in federal funding from health services in Wisconsin. The funding had been dedicated to supporting mental and behavioral health services, addressing substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic, and strengthening local emergency medical services.

“These funding cuts will have devastating effects on the health of our community and the lives of residents who depend on these services,” said County Executive Crowley. “As I stated earlier this week in my State of the County address, I do not agree with taking away programs and services that people rely on, and I do not believe cuts to these programs do anything to support families, children, people with disabilities, and seniors.”

The Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Behavioral Health Services division, and Mental Health Board work tirelessly to deliver crisis intervention, harm reduction services, and overdose prevention resources to the community. And Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides vital emergency medical services throughout the entire county. But this work requires adequate funding to continue their positive momentum and save lives. Simply put, without dedicated federal funding, this work cannot happen.

Milwaukee County has seen great success with these programs. With increased access to harm reduction supplies, education, programs, and treatment, Milwaukee County is on track to see a 30% decline in opioid overdose deaths compared to 2023. The Emergency Medical Services division of Milwaukee County OEM has continued to implement innovative initiatives, such as administering whole blood transfusions in the field for critically injured trauma patients, immediately saving lives. And we know our partnerships with community organizations have a direct impact on the health of our community, but without federal funding, these organizations are in real danger of having to close their doors and these programs are in danger of being cut. We cannot let this happen.

“I do not believe taking away tools that support historically marginalized businesses and workers does anything to lift up our communities and deliver prosperity for families and children,” continued County Executive Crowley. “And I will continue fighting for funding to deliver results for our most vulnerable communities.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.