TL/DR –
President Trump signed an executive order, “The Great American Recovery Initiative,” on January 29, 2026, that could largely impact behavioral health and substance use disorder providers. The order acknowledges addiction as a chronic, treatable disease and outlines efforts to coordinate the federal government’s response to substance use disorders and the addiction crisis in the US. The order affects providers in three main ways: potential for increased federal and state funding opportunities, integration and care coordination, and increased access to care.
Trump’s Executive Order Affects Behavioral Health & Substance Use Disorder Providers
On January 29, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order impacting behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) providers. Executive Order 14379, “The Great American Recovery Initiative,” coordinates the federal response to the addiction crisis in the United States. The executive order views addiction as a chronic, treatable disease, indicating a shift in the US healthcare framework. It suggests future funding plans to expand access to SUD treatment.
Impacts of the Executive Order on SUD Providers
The executive order affects SUD providers in three significant ways:
- Potential for Increased Federal and State Funding: The executive order could lead to more grants to support addiction recovery, focusing on prevention, treatment, and long-term resilience. This indicates that the administration expects to increase funding for federal and state programs addressing SUD treatment.
- Integration and Care Coordination: The order emphasizes integrating different sectors like public health, healthcare, education, and social services to combat SUD. This approach may lead to additional funding and a shift toward value-based arrangements in the behavioral health and SUD space.
- Increased Access to Care: The order acknowledges the need to reduce barriers to SUD treatment. While the specifics are unclear, the order coincides with the recent extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities, hinting at increased access to SUD treatment.
New Compliance Requirements for SUD Patient Records
Compliance with the 42 CFR Part 2 Confidentiality of SUD Patient Records (“Part 2”) Final Rule must be met by all entities subject to Part 2 by February 16, 2026. This includes:
- Patient Consent: Part 2 allows a single consent for all future uses and disclosures for health care operations. Entities receiving records under this consent can redisclose the records in accordance with HIPAA.
- Notice of Privacy Practices: Entities that receive or maintain Part 2 records must revise their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPPs) to include Part 2-specific protections and requirements for use and disclosure of those records.
Penalties for Noncompliance & HHS Civil Enforcement Program
Noncompliance with Part 2 can result in penalties aligning with those under HIPAA. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment of a civil enforcement program to protect SUD patient records on February 13, 2026. This enforcement program will accept complaints alleging violations of Part 2 and breaches of SUD patient records from February 16, 2026.
In summary, Executive Order 14379 and the HHS’s new enforcement program highlight the Trump Administration’s effort to prioritize access to SUD treatment and enforce related regulations. It is crucial for behavioral health and SUD providers to comply with the Part 2 Final Rule to avoid potential penalties.
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