AACOM Applauds Introduction of Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act

Legislation would extend critical grant funding for healthcare professional mental health

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) commends U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) for introducing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act. Originally enacted in 2022, this groundbreaking legislation allocated $100 million in grant funding to support mental health services for healthcare professionals, helping prevent suicide, burnout and behavioral health challenges. The newly introduced bill seeks to reauthorize these essential grant programs for an additional five years, following the expiration of the initial funding.

“As osteopathic physicians, we understand that mental health is a fundamental part of overall wellness,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “AACOM deeply appreciates the leadership of Senators Kaine, Young, Reed and Marshall in passing this vital legislation in 2022 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their continued commitment to addressing the root causes of healthcare worker burnout ensures that those who care for us receive the support they need.”

“Dr. Lorna Breen was a physician from Charlottesville who tragically died by suicide after working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Kaine. “In 2022, I was honored to work with her family and Senators Young, Reed and Marshall to pass legislation in her honor to help ensure health care workers have access to the mental health support they need. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in standing with our health care heroes by reauthorizing that law, so it can continue to support our healers.”

“Our frontline workers put their own health on the line every day to serve our communities in Indiana and across the country,” said Senator Young. “Congress must act to reauthorize this important program to provide our health care workforce with needed support to prevent suicide and promote mental and behavioral health.”

“Doctors, nurses, and health aids take care of patients who need them. The federal government must do its part to ensure the mental and physical health needs of our health care workforce are taken care of too,” said Senator Reed.

“Our health care providers dedicate their lives to taking care of patients, sometimes, this comes at their own expense,” said Senator Marshall. “We must ensure we’re giving them the support they need when it comes to their mental health. I’m proud to join Senators Kaine and Young in leading the reauthorization of this very important program which helps provide access to mental and behavioral health resources to our health care professionals.”

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act is also cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA).

About AACOM:

Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education and training of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine in settings across the medical spectrum—from primary care to the full range of medical specialties. We support our member colleges of osteopathic medicine in their efforts to attract and train individuals who are fueled by a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system by treating the whole person and building a future emphasizing health and wellness for all people. Today, more than 36,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 42 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 67 teaching locations in 36 states.  To learn more about AACOM, please visit our website.

Contacts:

Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org

Christine DeCarlo
Senior Manager of Media and Public Affairs
(202) 603-1026
cdecarlo@aacom.org