ADA urges reauthorization of mental health bill

Seeks to prevent suicide, burnout, stress for health care professionals

The ADA and 66 other organizations are urging Congress to pass legislation dedicated to preventing suicide and reducing occupational burnout, mental health conditions and stress for health care professionals. 

Initially authorized in 2022, the bipartisan legislation is the first and only federal law dedicated to preventing suicide and reducing burnout and stress for health care professionals. The coalition is now calling for swift passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, which it noted passed in both the House and Senate last Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support.  

The bill is named after Lorna Breen, M.D., an emergency physician who died by suicide in April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since it was enacted, several state licensure boards, hospitals and health systems have begun implementing changes in licensing and credentialing processes that have unintentionally contributed to the stigma associated with seeking mental health care.  

“The law that carries her name was a critical first step in acknowledging and addressing the pervasive stigma and challenges – such as fear of loss of licensure or credentialing – that often prevent health care professionals from seeking the mental health services they need, causing them to suffer in silence,” the group said in a March 18 letter. 

But there is still work to be done, according to the letter, and reauthorizing the bill would help ensure that hospitals, health systems, and other health care organizations can continue, expand and build on the successful initiatives previously funded by the legislation. Additionally, it would expand grants and contracts eligibility to include entities with “a focus on the reduction of administrative burden on health care workers.” 

The letter, addressed to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. 

“We must continue to prioritize the health and well-being of those who care for us, ensuring an environment where each and every health care professional always has access to the necessary mental health care services they need and deserve, without fear of loss of licensure, loss of income, or threat of other meaningful career setbacks associated with the stigma of getting the help they need.,” the group said.