The Senate last night unanimously passed the AHA-supported Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S. 610). A companion bill (H.R. 1667) introduced in the House in March awaits consideration.

Named for a doctor who led the emergency department at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, the bipartisan legislation would authorize grants to create programs that offer behavioral health services for front-line health care workers. It would also require the Department of Health and Human Services to study and recommend strategies to address health care provider burnout and facilitate resiliency, and launch a campaign encouraging health care workers to seek assistance when needed. As amended by the Senate before passage, the bill also would require the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the extent to which federal substance use disorder and mental health grant programs address SUD and mental health conditions among health professionals. 
 

Related News Articles

Headline
The Senate Sept. 19 failed to adopt a continuing resolution by a 44-48 vote  that would have funded the government through Nov. 21. The CR was passed by…
Headline
The Senate Sept. 18 passed the AHA-supported SUPPORT Act (H.R. 2483) by a voice vote, advancing the bill to President Trump to sign into law. The bill…
Headline
In a video released Sept. 17 for National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, Carrie Cunningham, M.D., an associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School…
Blog
Public
Medical residency is one of the most demanding stages in a physician’s career. Long hours, intense learning and new responsibilities often push trainees to…
Headline
The AHA Sept. 15 expressed support for the Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act, legislation that would require Medicare Advantage plans to cover…
Headline
A Gallup report published Sept. 9 found that nearly 48 million Americans currently have or are being treated for depression. The total, which equals 18.3% of…