Department of Health and Human Services Issues Request for Information on Substance Use Research, Policy, Prevention, and Treatment

On June 10th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a Request for Information (RFI), seeking public comment on effective research, programs, policies, and new ideas to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use and mental health disorders. The RFI supports the Great American Recovery Initiative and seeks recommendations that can be implemented using existing funding. Comments are due by July 5, 2026.

The RFI poses five questions and asks for 2-3 examples of best practices for three questions:

1. What programs or interventions have rigorous, empirical evidence of effectiveness in improving outcomes for:

   1. Substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery?

   2. Mental illness prevention, treatment, and recovery?

   3. Care for co-occurring mental and chronic disease of addiction?

2. Using existing funding, what policies or changes to federal programs might improve outcomes in:

   1. Substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery?

   2. Mental illness prevention, treatment, and recovery?

   3. Care for co-occurring mental and chronic disease of addiction?

3. How can federal policies and programs be improved to mitigate stigma against Americans seeking addiction treatment and recovery?

4. How can federal policies and programs address the practitioner supply shortage to ensure every American can find affordable, insured care in their area?

5. How can HHS strengthen evaluation of substance use and mental health programs, including through data modernization, advanced analytics, and AI for real-time performance measurement?

The RFI highlights actions HHS has taken regarding addiction and mental health:

• Recovery Housing: SAMHSA provided over $45 million to expand sober housing and recovery supports for young adults.

• Health Technology: A $20 million Behavioral Health IT initiative includes $5 million to improve data sharing and interoperability across behavioral health systems.

• STREETS Initiative: A $100 million program will help eight communities redesign homelessness services to connect people with addiction and mental health treatment.

• Rural Opioid Response: HRSA invested $145 million in prevention, treatment, and recovery services across more than 2,000 rural counties.

• Targeted Community Investments: SAMHSA is directing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) funding to areas hardest hit by overdose deaths, addiction, and homelessness.

• Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT): A new $10 million funding opportunity will expand community-based treatment and support services for individuals with serious mental illness.

• Hepatitis C Elimination: SAMHSA awarded $98 million to prevent, treat, and cure hepatitis C among people with addiction and serious mental illness.

HHS additionally implemented Executive Order (E.O.) 14379 Addressing Addiction Through the Great American Recovery Initiative and E.O. 14321 Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets