08-04-2025
County Executive calls for emergency opioid funding for Open Access after federal funding cuts
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Local leaders are taking action after the county's only 24/7 addiction treatment space, Open Access, was recently notified there would be no further federal support. It comes after a massive slash in funding to public health efforts and agencies across the country by the Trump Administration. Open Access is run through Delphi Rise and provides critical treatment and services to approximately 2,000 people battling substance use disorder, more commonly simplified as 'addiction.'
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello is asking for the legislature, in the April 8 meeting, to approve $405,000 in Opioid Settlement Funding (previously set aside in a trust fund) to help maintain Open Access services through the end of the year. During a press event at Delphi Rise on Hinchey Road, Bello described feeling 'outraged' when he learned about the impacts of the federal cuts.
'It would be hard to find anyone in Monroe County or really anywhere who does not know someone impacted by addiction. And that is why it is unfathomable to me that these federal cuts to addiction services have been made without notice, without any data, without options, without care, without understanding or empathy. It's quite simply a slap in the face to the people who are struggling with addiction and the families and friends trying to get them help,' Bello says.
'Just two weeks ago, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy, Jr., extended the federal public health emergency for the opioid epidemic – calling it a National Security Crisis. And just 7 days later he announced plans to eliminate more than $11 billion in grants for addiction treatment, mental health care and other essential services,' says Congressman Joe Morelle.
Delphi Rise/Open Access serves walk-ins any time of day or night, weekend or holiday. The agency also serves folks from hospital emergency department referrals, law enforcement, emergency hotlines and more with leaders saying it is truly a life-saving resource. The County Executive emphasized that what makes treatment services achieve success is when there are systems in place to care for folks the moment they are willing to make a change.
'When people are ready – when they have made the decision that they've had enough and they're willing to seek the treatment that they need — that is the time: that is the window that is access to care is critical and that doesn't always happen Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and that's what the Secretary of Health and Human Services doesn't understand,' Bello says.
Several state Attorneys General sued the White House over this move, then late last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration from completing the cuts while this plays out in courts. Often times, as applied here to Delphi Rise/Open Access, federal funding comes via reimbursement. Delphi Rise CEO Jen Cathy says the agency has not received any payments since March 26th.
To be clear, Delphi Rise/Open Access is still open and available if you or someone you know needs help. Call anytime at 585-627-1777.
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