Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Act moves to full House of Representatives

On Nov. 17, the House Energy and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives advanced the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. This bipartisan bill was developed to address the high rates of burnout among health care professionals as well as the high suicide rate among doctors.

The committee unanimously approved the amended version of the Lorna Breen Act, which would authorize $35 million for a Health Resources and Services Administration grant program in addition to $10 million for a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awareness campaign. Next, the Lorna Breen Act will move to the full House of Representatives for approval.

Previously, the Lorna Breen Act was successfully passed in the Senate, thanks in part to advocacy from the osteopathic medical profession. Support for the bill was one of the major policy asks at DO Day 2021 and has been an ongoing online grassroots priority with the Osteopathic Advocacy Network (OAN). Additionally, the AOA collaborated with affiliate organizations to further support the bill.

In his opening remarks at the committee meeting, Committee Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) stated, “It is so important that we bolster resources for health care providers serving on the frontlines and in need of greater mental and behavioral health support, and that’s exactly what the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act would do.”