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On February 17, Congress passed the bipartisan, ASA-endorsed Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, an important measure to address the mental health and well-being of health care professionals. The legislation awaits signature into law by President Biden.
ASA believes this legislation is an important step forward in reducing and preventing suicide and in addressing burnout and other mental health challenges impacting our nation’s health care professionals. These challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, especially among front line health care professionals, such as anesthesiologists who, in many cases, have been deployed to provide high stress, high risk critical care services.
The mental health and well-being of health care professionals is a major priority of ASA and we are pleased Congress advanced the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. In June 2020, ASA, along with other leading medical associations, developed recommendations to remove existing barriers to seeking treatment, including the fear of reprisal and encouraging professional and peer support.
ASA applauds Congress in addressing the mental health concerns of health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 8, ASA and the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act Coalition submitted formal correspondence to thank Congress for passing this important legislation.
