Washington, DC – The Healthcare Workforce Coalition (HWC) commends the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for passing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act S. (3679) at a committee markup today. This bipartisan legislation supports grant programs for mental health training and education, peer support programs, and crisis intervention services for America’s healthcare professionals.
While research shows healthcare workers are inherently resilient, the aftermath of Covid, staffing shortages, overwhelming administrative burdens, and their patients’ mental health have created an urgency for support of their own well-being.
Earlier this week, the HWC sent a letter to Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) asking the committee to pass the bill expeditiously. The letter states, in part:
“We are grateful to the committee for considering S. 3679, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, and to Senators Kaine and Young for their leadership on this important legislation.
“Since its enactment in 2022, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act has funded evidence-informed strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. The reauthorization of this act would expand the grants to more hospitals and over 200,000 other types of healthcare settings, while also alleviating administrative burdens. With nearly half (46%) of health workers reported often feeling burned out in 2022, up from 32% in 2018, our nation’s providers are facing a burnout and mental health crisis, particularly due to repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reauthorization of this legislation is pivotal to alleviating that burden.
“The Healthcare Workforce Coalition strongly supports S. 3679, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act. This important legislation will provide mental health resources and critical support programs for healthcare providers. The Healthcare Workforce Coalition looks forward to working with lawmakers and stakeholders to get S. 3679 signed into law. Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter to help support our nation’s providers and address the nation’s burnout and mental health crisis among healthcare heroes.”
To read the full HWC letter to Senate HELP leaders, CLICK HERE.
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