Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Dr. Lorna Breen Act.

My wife, Priya, is a physician. Like her colleagues, she has worked tirelessly during the pandemic. During the pandemic, people have referred to these healthcare workers as heroes, but as you know, our heroes are human. They struggle with the trauma of losing colleagues and patients, and they expose themselves to the daily risks of COVID. They suffer from burnout, depression, and suicide.

In fact, before the pandemic, one physician every day committed suicide. That rate has gone up significantly during the pandemic.

I am reminded of the situation of Dr. Scott Jolley in Utah. He would sometimes work until 3 a.m. as the only physician on duty at his hospital in Utah. By November 2020, he was diagnosed with PTSD, and by February 2021, he had committed suicide.

These tragic losses and stories from medical professionals are unending. Today, in honor of one of these heroes, Dr. Lorna Breen, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act was created and will expand access to mental and behavioral health resources to help our heroes, to help them cope with the stresses and anxieties that they face every single day.

Unfortunately, some of those stresses and anxieties will continue after this pandemic. That is why this act is so important. I look forward to passing this necessary piece of legislation today.

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