News and Info for NYS Council members – 1/30/2025

January 30, 2025

As you know, yesterday the Trump administration pulled back the initial OMB memo to federal agencies ordering a financial assistance ‘pause’ across many of them.  In my opinion it is likely that it did so in order to slow down or stop numerous lawsuits that were filed in federal court earlier this week on this matter to include a suit by some 14 Attorneys General across the country.  

With all of the confusion over the federal assistance ‘pause’ and whether it will ultimately be permitted (in part or across the board) or prohibited, the message is clear from the Trump administration that the goals of making major funding cuts that align with the administration’s policy preferences will continue.  

In light of this we urge all NYS Council members to make a plan (to the extent possible and without a crystal ball) for what may be ahead.  Your plan could include:  1) increasing your credit line where possible (if you have one) and if you don’t have one investigate the possibility of securing a line as soon as possible; 2) regularly draw down any federal funds you are due as soon as you can – work the portals; 3) educate your board and funders to keep them apprised of what’s happening on the ground; 4) meet with your federal representatives to describe the chaos that has ensued, discuss the fragile financial tightrope you walk as you continue to wait for delayed payments from both the state and the federal government; 5) carefully review outstanding contracts with the state to ensure any payment delay is not rooted on your end, and 6) review and update your CRM containing contact information for potential donors and corporate sponsors to reach out to in times of crisis (and opportunity).  

In related news, this morning our Thursday morning call featured a great conversation with attorney Rosie Dawn Griffin who is a partner attorney at Feldesman Leifer, LLP (based in Washington DC), and an Immigration expert.  I’ve got a recording of the discussion and I am working to post it online in the protected area of our Website accessible only via UserName and Password.  Many NYS Council members already have a UserName and Password but if you don’t please send a note to Cindy Levernois at:  cindy@nyscouncil.org and request you be sent credentials to access the ‘Members Only’ part of our Website that is firewalled where we archive many of the timely and detailed training and technical assistance events we have hosted over the years.  

Directly below please find the latest on the ‘pause’,  an easy way for you to weigh in on critical federal budget issues impacting New Yorkers with substance use disorder/addiction challenges and more.  Note an additional resource (attached)  on the issue of ‘sensitive locations’ with regards to the immigration enforcement issue.  This morning we learned that a prior Executive Order that protected healthcare settings including but not limited to FQHCs, etc. has been rescinded by the new administration and our previous thought that ICE and others might focus on NYS cities and towns that are very close to US ‘borders’ might be targeted first but as the result of prior protections being pulled back after the last 10 years of heightened protections for ‘sensitive locations’ including healthcare settings, the ‘borders’ now extend 100 miles into the country.  Stand by for our notification that the recording of today’s meeting is online and ready to be viewed.

Another Judge is Preparing to Block Trump’s Spending Freeze, despite White House Cleanup
Politico | January 29, 2025

Executive orders remain— The White House’s rescission today of Monday’s OMB memo ordering the pause of federal assistance is not an end to the funding freeze, according to President Donald Trump’s chief spokesperson. Why rescind the memo? “To end any confusion” created by a federal judge’s temporary halting of the OMB directives, says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.A federal judge said Wednesday he intends to issue a new block on President Donald Trump’s effort to freeze an enormous swath of federal spending, citing the White House’s contradictory signals about the policy.

U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell said a bid by the White House to rescind a “hugely ambiguous” order implementing the freeze appeared to be undercut by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s subsequent statement that the freeze was still in effect.

“I’m inclined to grant the restraining order,” McConnell, a Rhode Island-based appointee of President Barack Obama, said during a court hearing on a lawsuit brought Tuesday by Democratic attorneys general. “I fear … that the administration is acting with a distinction without a difference.”A different federal judge has already put the spending freeze on hold. That judge, Loren AliKhan, issued an order Tuesday preserving the status quo for six days in response to a separate lawsuit from nonprofit groups challenging the freeze.

————————-

Action Alert from the Drug Policy Alliance:

The Trump Administration has threatened to cut funding for addiction treatment, overdose prevention, affordable housing programs, and health care. These cuts would have already taken place if not for a federal judge who has temporarily paused its implementation. But unless other action is taken, these programs are still under threat and could take effect as soon as this Monday, February 3. Congress must act now to prevent these inhumane cuts from taking place and protect this funding in the future.   

Tell your representative to pressure the Trump Administration to protect funding for lifesaving services like treatment and health care! 

The U.S. is in the middle of an overdose crisis that claims about 100,000 lives a year. These are our friends, children, family, and loved ones. People are struggling and dying every day. Treatment, overdose prevention, affording housing, and healthcare keep people alive and on a path towards recovery.  

The American people have been pleading for healthier and safer communities. Instead of increasing the needed services that would do just that, the Trump Administration is threatening to take them away and telling people and families to fend for themselves. President Trump is playing politics with our lives and the lives of our loved ones.  

Congress must act right now to protect Americans from these anticipated cuts that will undoubtedly lead to more deaths and suffering. Tell your representative to stand up and pressure the Trump Administration to not cut funding.  

Making sure Congress and President Trump do the right thing is going to be an uphill battle. So please make your voice heard right away. Call congressional leaders to demand that President Trump and Congress keep funding for treatment, overdose prevention, and other lifesaving services. Senate Majority Leader John Thune: (202) 224-2321 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: (202) 224-6542 House Speaker Mike Johnson: (202) 225-4000 House Majority Leader Steve Scalise: (202) 225-3015 House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: (202) 225-5936 I’m calling to urge you to tell the Trump Administration that the proposed cuts to federal funding will harm Americans like me. We’re in an overdose crisis and people need immediate access to treatment and overdose prevention services. These programs keep people alive and on a path towards recovery. Funding for affordable housing programs and healthcare helps people be stable, so they are more likely to recover from addiction. Cutting funding for these services will undoubtedly kill people and cause more suffering. I am scared and outraged by these potential cuts. Please tell the Trump Administration that your constituents rely on these services to survive. Do not let these funding cuts happen and protect this funding in the future.

The Trump administration is choosing to play politics with our lives. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we come together and protect one another. Don’t forget to tell your representative to demand the Trump Administration protect funding for treatment, overdose prevention, and other lifesaving services now.  

The Drug Policy Alliance will defend our communities and fight for the resources that we need to prevent overdose deaths, support recovery, and live full lives. 
Take Action
or use this link:
https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/take-action-trump-don%E2%80%99t-cut-funding-treatment-other-lifesaving-services?ms=2A7_2501TrumpFedFunding&utm_campaign=fy25advocacy&cid=701Qr00000AhT7XIAV&sc=DPA25AWM&gs=%7B%7BRecipient.Gift_String_Encrypted__c%7D%7D

———————————

Office of Medicaid Inspector General Releases Annual Workplan

January 30, 2025

On Jan. 29, 2025, the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General released its Annual Work Plan, to provide a guide for stakeholders for its 2025 activities. As in past years, the Work Plan provides a roadmap for citizens, policymakers, providers, managed care organizations, and other stakeholders to follow as a guide to OMIG’s program integrity initiatives planned for 2025.

————————————

Democratic governors push Schumer to unite his caucus against Trump

Shia Kapos,  Politico via Yahoo NewsThu, January 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM EST

A group of Democratic governors met with Sen. Chuck Schumer Wednesday night, urging him to get his caucus in line to push back against President Donald Trump’s actions and appointments, according to a person familiar with the call.

The governors want Senate Democrats to be more forceful in responding to Trump. An aide to Schumer separately described the meeting as a conversation about the Trump administration’s executive orders, “his erratic policies” and the impact they’re having on states.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey were most outspoken about Senate Democrats needing to stay unified against some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, a few of which have seen bipartisan support, according to the person familiar with the call who was granted anonymity to describe a private conversation.

Also on the call were Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

The call came before a U.S. Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet flight to Washington from Kansas, sending shock waves across the capital city in what’s believed be the country’s most serious aviation crashes in decades.

The Democratic governors impressed upon Schumer that their states are feeling the brunt of Trump’s executive orders, including looming plans for withholding federal funds.

Schumer, a New York Democrat, arranged the call and Pritzker helped coordinate it.

Schumer credited the governors for helping force the hand of Trump and Russell Vought, who the president has tapped to run the Office of Management and Budget, to pull back the funding freeze memo.

But it’s just one win, and Schumer — and the governors — know there will be more battles ahead. Trump has already said the funding freeze memo was rescinded — but not the plan for making future cuts.

————————————–

Action materials:

Reports:

News stories: