Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

To address behavioral health and well-being among health care professionals. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act 2. Behavioral health and well-being training for health care professionals Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 294n 764. Behavioral health and well-being training for health care professionals (a) Grant program The Secretary shall establish a program to award grants to health professions schools, academic health centers, State or local governments, or other appropriate public or private nonprofit entities for funding and participation in health professions and nursing training activities for the training of health care students, residents, or professionals in evidence-informed strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, behavioral health conditions, including mental health conditions and substance use disorders, among health care professionals, and in evidence-informed strategies to improve health care professionals’ well-being and job satisfaction. (b) Eligibility To be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), an entity described in such subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c) Reporting requirement Each entity awarded a grant under this section shall periodically submit to the Secretary a report evaluating the activities supported by the grant. (d) Best practices The Secretary may identify and disseminate evidence-informed best practices for reducing and preventing suicide and burnout among health care professionals, and training health care professionals in appropriate strategies and promoting their mental and behavioral health and job satisfaction. Such best practices shall include specific recommendations for reducing and preventing suicide, burnout, and other mental and behavioral health concerns among health care professionals during or in the aftermath of a pandemic, natural disaster, or other crisis. (e) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. . 3. Education and awareness campaign encouraging use of mental and behavioral health services by health care professionals (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary (b) Reporting Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide an update on the campaign’s progress, including a plan for evaluation that includes quantitative and qualitative metrics, and a media and dissemination plan, to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. 4. Grants for health care providers to promote mental and behavioral health among their health professional workforce Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 294n 764A. Grants for health care providers to promote mental and behavioral health among their health professional workforce (a) In general The Secretary shall award grants to health care providers, including medical professional associations, to establish or expand evidence-informed programs dedicated to promoting mental and behavioral health among their employees (including contractors) or members who are working on the front lines of the SARS–CoV–2 pandemic. (b) Use of grant funds A health care provider awarded a grant under subsection (a) shall use amounts under the grant to implement a new program or protocol or expand an existing program or protocol to promote mental and behavioral health among employees (including contractors) or members who have previously treated or otherwise served, or are currently treating or otherwise serving, patients diagnosed with COVID–19, which may include any of the following: (1) Educating employees, including contractors, or membership about risk factors for and signs of self-harm and suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions in accordance with evidence-based practices and standards. (2) Establishing new or enhancing existing evidence-based programs or protocols for preventing mental and behavioral health conditions, suicide, or self-harm. (3) Establishing new or enhancing existing peer-support programs among employees (including contractors) or members. (4) Mental and behavioral health treatment, follow up services and care, or referral for such services identified as appropriate as a result of the screenings or prevention programs and protocol described in paragraphs (1) and (2). (c) Grant terms A grant awarded under subsection (a)— (1) shall be for a period of 3 years; and (2) may be renewed subject to the requirements of this section. (d) Application submission A health care provider seeking a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Priority Priority shall be given to applications from health care providers located in current or former COVID–19 hotspots, as determined by the Secretary or health care providers which have diagnosed or treated a higher share of COVID–19 patients, as determined by the Secretary. (f) Reporting A health care provider awarded a grant under subsection (a) shall periodically submit to the Secretary a report evaluating the activities supported by the grant. (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2023. . 5. Comprehensive study on health care professional mental and behavioral health and burnout Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 294n 764B. Comprehensive study on health care professional mental and behavioral health and burnout (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders, shall conduct a review and submit recommendations to Congress on policies to improve health care professional mental health and prevent burnout. (b) Considerations The study under subsection (a) shall focus on identifying— (1) the factors that contribute to mental and behavioral health conditions and burnout among health care professionals; (2) the barriers to seeking and accessing mental and behavioral health treatment for health care professionals, including stigma and concerns about licensing and credentialing; (3) the implications of poor mental and behavioral health and burnout among health care professionals for the health care system, the health care workforce, and patient outcomes; (4) the impact of the SARS–CoV–2 pandemic on the mental and behavioral health of health care professionals and related preparedness strategies for future health emergencies; (5) the factors that promote mental and behavioral health and resiliency among health care professionals, including programs or protocols that strengthen mental and behavioral health or prevent burnout among health care professionals; and (6) the efficacy of health professional training programs that promote resiliency and improve mental health. (c) Recommendations The study required under subsection (a) shall include recommendations related to— (1) improving mental and behavioral health and preventing burnout among health care professionals; (2) removing barriers to mental and behavioral health care for health care professionals; and (3) strategies to promote resiliency among health care professionals and other employees and contractors in health care settings. (d) Completion The Secretary shall ensure that the study under subsection (a) is completed and submitted to Congress and made publicly available not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2023. .

Summary: Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes several grant programs and otherwise requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take actions to improve mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers. Specifically, HHS must award grants to (1) health professions schools, state or local governments, or nonprofits to provide training for health care providers on suicide prevention, other behavioral health issues, and strategies to improve well-being; and (2) health care providers, prioritizing those in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hot spots, to establish or expand programs to promote mental and behavioral health among health care providers involved with COVID-19 response efforts. HHS must also study issues related to, and develop policy recommendations on, preventing burnout and improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must conduct a campaign to encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns.