Bill Overview
Title: Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act
Description: This bill establishes grants and requires other activities to improve mental and behavioral health among health care providers. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to hospitals, medical professional associations, and other health care entities for programs to promote mental health and resiliency among health care providers. In addition, HHS may award grants for relevant mental and behavioral health training for health care students, residents, or professionals. Additionally, HHS must conduct a campaign to (1) encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns, and (2) disseminate best practices to prevent suicide and improve mental health and resiliency among health care providers. HHS must also study and develop policy recommendations on improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which relevant federal grant programs address the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions and substance use disorders among health care providers.
Sponsors: Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]
Target Audience
Population: Health care providers, including doctors, nurses, and healthcare students.
Estimated Size: 22000000
- The act targets health care providers, including doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and other medical staff who are involved in direct patient care.
- It is particularly relevant to those facing challenges relating to mental and behavioral health, which is a known stress concern in the medical field.
- The program also covers health care students and residents, addressing their need for mental and behavioral health support and resilience training.
- The impact of stress and burnout on health care providers is a recognized issue globally, especially highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reasoning
- Given the healthcare workforce in the U.S. is quite large, the policy will initially focus on institutions with high stress environments, such as hospitals and busy clinics.
- Due to budget constraints, not all health care providers will directly benefit from the policy, especially in the first few years. Focus will likely be on those in more critical need of mental health support.
- The impact will vary based on the specific roles, with some like ER doctors and nurses feeling more immediate effects due to their high-stress roles.
- Over time, as the policy matures and the budget increases, the reach and depth of impact can grow, potentially fostering a culture shift in mental health perceptions among healthcare providers.
Simulated Interviews
Emergency Room Nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is a step in the right direction. We need more resources and support for mental health.
- The stigma around seeking mental health help is real; policies like these can change that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Medical Resident (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy should also focus on ensuring residents have access to mental health resources.
- Training about mental resilience would be really beneficial for students and new doctors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Family Physician (Austin, TX)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's harder for those of us in private practice to access these resources.
- Mental health support is crucial, but accessibility needs to be improved for all.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Surgeon (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy encourages more open conversations about mental health in the workplace.
- Access to support should be easier and more anonymous.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Mental Health Counselor (Portland, OR)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's exciting to see policies that support our mental health too, but I think we are often overlooked.
- I hope to see continued evaluation and support within this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Hospital Administrator (Miami, FL)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Administering these grants effectively will be key to their success.
- Ensuring staff uptake and engagement with programs is a challenge.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Registered Nurse (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having support and resilience training that is tailored for a pediatric setting would be great.
- Knowing there are resources available makes a big difference psychologically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Psychiatrist (Boston, MA)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investing in mental health for providers is crucial, but more actions are needed than just funding.
- A change in workplace culture is needed alongside this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Nursing Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see how important it is for healthcare workers to have mental health support.
- We need more focus on student training in resilience and mental health awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired Nurse (Denver, CO)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen many colleagues struggle with mental health, it's past time for this kind of policy.
- I hope it makes a real change for my still-working colleagues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The sustainability of mental health programs in healthcare facilities and their long-term integration into institutional practices.
- Potential challenges associated with the wide dissemination and impact of best practices across diverse healthcare settings.
- The cultural and institutional barriers to mental health acknowledgment and treatment among healthcare professionals.