Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act
Plain Language Summary
# Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act **What It Does** This bill would extend and expand federal funding for mental health support programs designed specifically for doctors, nurses, and other health care workers through 2029. It would provide grants to hospitals, clinics, medical associations, and educational institutions to create and maintain mental health services for health care professionals—such as peer support groups, counseling, and training programs. The bill also prioritizes funding for programs that help reduce administrative burdens (paperwork and bureaucratic tasks) that contribute to worker stress and burnout. **Who It Affects & Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects health care workers dealing with mental health challenges, burnout, and stress-related issues.
It funds training programs to teach medical students and current professionals how to recognize and address mental health problems in themselves and their colleagues. The funding comes through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The bill is named after Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency room doctor who died by suicide in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization ActThis bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and revises Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants for programs and training to improve mental health among health care professionals and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiative to educate health care professionals about their mental health and related services.Specifically, the bill reauthorizes HRSA grants to health care service providers and medical professional associations to implement programs supporting these professionals’ mental health, such as through peer-support programs or providing mental health care. It also authorizes HRSA to prioritize applicants that focus on reducing administrative burden on health care workers.Also, the bill reauthorizes HRSA grants to government and certain educational entities for training health care students and professionals on how to address mental health and related issues. It also specifies that grants or contracts awarded under the program must be for not less than three years.Additionally, the bill reauthorizes a CDC education and awareness initiative to help health care professionals understand and seek support for their mental health. It also requires the CDC to submit annual reports to specified congressional committees on the initiative’s activities and outcomes.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.