Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, Tim Kaine, Todd Young, and Jack Reed have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at reauthorizing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. This legislation was originally passed in 2022 to address mental health challenges faced by healthcare professionals, including issues of suicide and burnout. The initial law provided $100 million for mental health support but expired last year.

Senator Marshall emphasized the need to support healthcare providers' mental health: “Our health care providers dedicate their lives to taking care of patients, sometimes, this comes at their own expense,” he stated. He expressed pride in collaborating with Senators Kaine and Young on the reauthorization initiative.

Senator Kaine highlighted the personal story behind the act: “Dr. Lorna Breen was a physician from Charlottesville who tragically died by suicide after working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. Kaine urged his colleagues to continue supporting healthcare workers by backing the reauthorization.

Corey Feist, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, also voiced support for the legislative effort: “Health workers are at the heart of every life saved and every patient cared for... We are immensely grateful to Senators Kaine, Young, Reed, and Marshall for their steadfast commitment.”

The proposed reauthorization would extend these grant programs for another five years.