President Donald Trump formally declared the U.S. opioid crisis a "public health emergency." That announcement came just after New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who heads the president's opioid commission, praised Trump for plans to declare a "national emergency."

The difference is significant, said Roseanne Scotti of New Jersey's Drug Policy Alliance, who called the announcement "a slap in the face."

"There's not new money," Scotti said. "It doesn't look like there's going to be anything that's actually going to help us here in New Jersey or in all the other states."

She said the more limited scope of Trump's opioid response feels extra threatening in states like New Jersey that are on the federal healthcare exchange, given the president's rollback of Affordable Care Act coverage.

"Nothing has helped people in New Jersey in terms of the opioid crisis and addiction more than the Affordable Care Act," Scotti said.

Christie had promised that a national emergency declaration would commit federal funds to uninsured people with drug addiction. His commission is set to issue more comprehensive recommendations on November 1.