Monroe County Executive Adam Bello is proposing legislation that would restore funding to a local addiction treatment center after it was recently cut by the federal government.

The county executive announced Monday that he is submitting legislation to the county legislature that would provide $405,000 in emergency funding to Delphi Rise. That money would come from the county's opioid settlement fund and allow Delphi Rise to keep open access going until the end of the year.

The agency was recently informed that its grant funding had been rescinded as part of cuts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"Delphi was notified 10 days ago that its grant funding for open access services had been cut and no reimbursement would be made after March 28," County Executive Adam Bello said. "Imagine what that means when you're running an organization and on a Friday afternoon you're told, 'Today's expenses is it. Nothing moving forward you can be reimbursed for.'"

Bello's office said cuts by the Trump administration included $360 million in cuts to New York state health departments, addiction services and mental health programs. He said the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, which funds Delphi, will lose $40 million. According to Bello's office, that will jeopardize addiction treatment, housing and mobile medication access in Monroe County and across the state. 

"Neither New York state nor its counties will be able to close a $360 million gap,” said Bello. “It is going to take all of us, elected officials, business and non-profit leaders, and citizens to come together, stand up, and let the federal government know that we will not tolerate this attack on life-saving services for our most vulnerable residents.”

Officials say if funding is not restored, Delphi Rise, which offers 24/7 open access to addiction services in Monroe County, would struggle to survive.

“The opioid epidemic has touched all our lives — whether through personal experience or the stories of friends and loved ones,” said Rep. Joe Morelle in a statement. “The Trump Administration’s cuts to addiction services would shutter life-saving resources families rely on during their time of need, demonstrating just how reckless and callous their policies truly are."

Officials say more than 2,000 people were treated at Delphi's clinic last year.

“It is the only place in the county that will help individuals battling addiction after business hours, when they need it, regardless of their ability to pay," said Bello. "The thoughtless, irresponsible and frankly dangerous actions of the federal government to eliminate these lifesaving services is shameful."

Monroe County says Delphi Rise has been providing open access services for eight years.