Bill Overview
Title: Physician Wellness Program Act of 2022
Description: This bill exempts wellness programs that provide certain mental or behavioral health services for physicians from restrictions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) and federal anti-kickback laws.
Sponsors: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36]
Target Audience
Population: Physicians
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill specifically targets physicians by providing them access to wellness programs with reduced regulatory barriers.
- The exemption of wellness programs from Stark law and federal anti-kickback laws primarily affects the healthcare professionals associated with these programs, particularly physicians.
- Physicians are a significant workforce globally, integral to healthcare systems across all countries.
Reasoning
- The policy directly targets physicians by easing access to mental health programs. Therefore, the significant impact is on this population.
- With around 1 million physicians in the U.S., the policy could affect many of them, but due to the budget constraints, not all will have improved wellbeing immediately.
- Budget limitations imply a need to prioritize program participants based on factors like current mental health needs, geographic location, and availability of wellness programs.
- Other stakeholders, like patients and insurance companies, might be indirectly affected by increased provider wellness, but this simulation focuses on direct effects on physicians.
- We expect varied impacts on physicians based on their existing mental health status, awareness, accessibility of the programs, and personal preferences toward seeking help.
Simulated Interviews
cardiologist (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that this program will help reduce some of the stress that comes with my job.
- If it makes it easier to access mental health resources, it could improve my quality of life.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
pediatrician (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been struggling with burnout and this policy might finally give me the support I need.
- Accessing mental health services without the fear of legal backlash or career impact is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
orthopedic surgeon (Dallas, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this law is a step in the right direction for physician health.
- More legislation like this is needed for sustainable healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
general practitioner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I appreciate the policy, I worry it won't reach me.
- Still, it's reassuring to know the system is starting to recognize our mental health needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
retired physician (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I would have greatly benefited from such programs earlier in my career.
- It may not help me now, but it's a positive change for others.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
psychiatrist (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a game changer, particularly for younger physicians.
- It's likely too late for my own career, but it should ease stress for up-and-comers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
emergency room physician (Portland, OR)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Programs facilitated by this law could drastically improve workplace morale.
- I'm optimistic about potential benefits not just for myself, but my colleagues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
family medicine physician (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could encourage more women in medicine to seek help without stigma.
- The policy might make balancing my career and personal life manageable.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
neurologist (Boston, MA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The changes may help manage stress levels better long term.
- This also could set a precedent for much-needed policy changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
surgeon (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive initiative, although I'm skeptical about real impacts due to budget constraints.
- For now, it's more about potential than immediate change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $6000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $8000000)
Year 3: $7000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $9000000)
Year 5: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Key Considerations
- The potential for improved physician wellness could relate indirectly to broader healthcare system efficiency gains.
- There may be pressure to extend similar exemptions to other healthcare providers, impacting the scope and cost.
- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will be crucial to understanding the net benefits and costs of these regulatory exemptions.