Washington, DC, May 23, 2017 – The American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is greatly disappointed by the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget released by the Trump Administration on May 23, 2017. This budget would make unparalleled cuts to programs that are crucial for children's health and mental health, effectively dismantling the social service safety net that many American children and families rely upon on a daily basis.

AACAP is deeply troubled that the Trump Administration's proposed budget would slash the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding by at least 20% over the next two years, and significantly reduce the number of vulnerable children who would be eligible for crucial CHIP coverage. AACAP is also gravely concerned that this proposed budget calls for $627 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade.

In addition, AACAP is distressed by the proposed cuts to numerous federal agency budgets, including a $399 million cut to the budget of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and a nearly $5.7 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Within the cuts to NIH, there is a proposed $301 million cut to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a $210 million cut to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and a $105 million cut to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

AACAP calls on Congress to reject these draconian cuts and instead make wise investments in our nation's healthcare safety net programs and our federal agencies that work to protect our nation's most vulnerable children. As always, AACAP stands ready to work with all parties to improve our nation's mental health system and provide critical mental health services to all youth in need.

For more information, please contact communications@aacap.org.

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The American Association of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, an affiliated 501(c)6 non-profit organization of AACAP, was formed in 2013 as a way for child and adolescent psychiatrists to increase their advocacy activities.

The mission of the Association is to engage in health policy and advocacy activities to promote mentally healthy children, adolescents, and families and the profession of child and adolescent psychiatry.