The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health today held a hearing on a number of bills to bolster the health care workforce, including the AHA-supported Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667).

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; require the Department of Health and Human Services to study and recommend strategies to address health care provider burnout and facilitate resiliency; and direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch a campaign encouraging health care workers to seek assistance when needed. 

“A sufficient, healthy workforce is foundational to maintaining access to high quality care, especially as hospitals are strained by crises such as surges in COVID-19 hospitalizations,” AHA said in a statement submitted to the subcommittee. “The AHA has joined #FirstRespondersFirst, the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, American Medical Association, American Nurses Foundation and Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare in launching All In: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, a call to action for health care organizations to prioritize workforce well-being.”

AHA also urged Congress to “prioritize funding that supports the health care workforce needs of the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future. This includes lifting the cap on Medicare-funded physician residencies, boosting support for nursing schools and faculty, expediting visas for qualified international nurses and supporting programs that address clinician well-being.”

The Senate in August passed an amended version of the bill that would also 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 AHA Sept. 29 asked the Trump administration to provide exemptions for health care personnel from the proclamation issued Sept. 19 announcing changes to the…
Headline
The AHA urged the Department of Homeland Security today to maintain “duration of status” as an authorized period of stay for the nearly 17,000 physicians…
Headline
The AHA Sept. 24 expressed support for the Medical Student Education Authorization Act (H.R. 5428), legislation introduced in the House Sept. 17 that would…
Headline
An AHA blog published Sept. 16 highlights programs and practices by Boston Medical Center leaders and staff that support residents’ mental health, emotional…
Headline
The AHA’s American Organization for Nursing Leadership will host its virtual Nurse Manager Institute on Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13. The event is designed for…
Headline
The Department of Homeland Security today released a proposed rule to amend the process for selecting among prospective applicants — known as registrants — for…