Energy And Commerce Committee Approves The Bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, Co-Led By Congressman Krishnamoorthi

Statement

Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, a healthcare worker mental wellness bill introduced by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) with Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Judy Chu (D-CA-27), and David McKinley (R-WV-01). The bill is led in the Senate by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care professionals have experienced exceptionally high levels of stress and burnout. As they have helped their patients fight to survive the pandemic, many health care professionals have struggled themselves with the trauma of losing colleagues and patients, as well as the daily risks to their own health and that of their families. The issue captured national attention in April 2020 when Dr. Lorna Breen, a physician from Charlottesville, Virginia, who was working on the frontlines of the pandemic in New York City, tragically died by suicide.

In honor of Dr. Lorna Breen, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act was created in order to provide support to healthcare heroes across the country. The comprehensive, bipartisan legislation would reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. This legislation will help expand access to mental and behavioral health resources among those working on the frontlines of the pandemic while supporting training for health professionals to prevent suicide and burnout.

"I'm glad that the Committee has approved our legislation to help health care workers, including those on the front lines of COVID-19, access the resources they need to support their mental health and combat burnout during the pandemic and throughout their careers," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "As the husband of a frontline physician, I know the burden the pandemic has put on health care workers who have risked their lives on a daily basis, and I look forward to this legislation receiving a vote on the House floor."

"I am thrilled to see the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act move one step closer to the President's desk," said Representative Wild. "This commonsense legislation will provide much-needed resources and support to the frontline health care providers who have served our country throughout the pandemic in the face of horrific loss, anguish, and burnout. Nobody should suffer alone, and I am looking forward to finally passing this bill into law and get help where it's needed. I commend Rep. Krishnamoorthi for his leadership in fighting for this bill and for our frontline health care heroes."

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