# Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act - Summary

## What This Bill Does

This bill extends and updates a federal program designed to support the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers. Specifically, it reauthorizes the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act—named after a New York City emergency room doctor who died by suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic—by extending its funding and programs through 2029 (previously set to expire in 2024).

## Key Changes

The bill makes three main updates to the existing program:

1. **Extended Funding Timeline**: Extends the education and awareness initiative encouraging healthcare professionals to use mental health and substance abuse services from 2022-2024 through 2025-2029.

2. **Expanded Program Focus**: Broadens the mental health promotion programs to include organizations that focus on reducing administrative burden on healthcare workers—recognizing that excessive paperwork and bureaucracy contribute to worker stress and burnout.

3. **Ongoing Annual Reporting**: Requires annual reporting on the education and awareness initiatives, ensuring continuous monitoring and accountability.

## Who Benefits

Healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, mental health counselors, and other medical workers—would benefit from continued access to mental health resources and support programs. The bill also indirectly benefits patients by supporting the well-being of their healthcare providers.

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act

Kaine, Tim

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization ActThis bill&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;reauthorizes a CDC education and awareness initiative to help health care professionals understand and seek support for their mental health. It also requires the&nbsp;CDC to submit annual reports to specified congressional committees on the initiative’s activities and outcomes.