House Of Representatives Passes The Bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, Co-Led By Congressman Krishnamoorthi

Statement

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.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi delivered the following speech in support of his bill during floor debate and footage of his remarks is available here:

"Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act.

My wife Priya is a physician. Like her colleagues, she has worked tirelessly during the pandemic. And during the pandemic, people have referred to these health care workers as heroes. But as you know, our heroes are human.

They have struggled with the trauma of losing colleagues and patients, and they expose themselves to the daily risks of COVID.

They suffer from burnout, and depression, and suicide. In fact, even before the pandemic, one physician every day committed suicide, and that rate has gone up significantly during the pandemic.

I'm reminded of the situation of Dr. Scott Jolley in Utah. He would sometimes work until 3am as the only physician, the only physician on duty at his hospital.

By November 2020, he was diagnosed with PTSD and in February 2021 he had committed suicide. These tragic losses and stories from medical professionals are unending.

But 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.

And, unfortunately, some of those stresses and anxieties will continue after this pandemic, and that's why this act is so important. I look forward to passing this necessary piece of legislation today.

I yield back."

Source