0
0

A bill to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, and for other purposes.

1/29/2025, 11:56 AM

Summary of Bill S 266

Bill 119 s 266, also known as the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, is a piece of legislation that aims to reauthorize and strengthen protections for healthcare providers in the United States. The bill is named after Dr. Lorna Breen, a physician who tragically took her own life after experiencing immense stress and trauma while treating COVID-19 patients.

The main purpose of this bill is to provide support and resources for healthcare providers who are experiencing burnout, mental health issues, and other challenges related to their work. It seeks to improve access to mental health services, establish programs to prevent burnout, and promote a culture of well-being in the healthcare industry.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to enhance reporting and data collection on mental health issues among healthcare providers, as well as measures to address stigma and discrimination in the workplace. It also aims to improve coordination between federal agencies and healthcare organizations to better support the mental health and well-being of healthcare providers. Overall, Bill 119 s 266 is a bipartisan effort to prioritize the mental health and well-being of healthcare providers, recognizing the critical role they play in caring for patients and the need to support their own health and wellness.

Congressional Summary of S 266

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and revises Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants for programs and training to improve mental health among health care professionals and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiative to educate health care professionals about their mental health and related services.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes HRSA grants to health care service providers and medical professional associations to implement programs supporting these professionals’ mental health, such as through peer-support programs or providing mental health care. It also authorizes HRSA to prioritize applicants that focus on reducing administrative burden on health care workers.

Also, the bill reauthorizes HRSA grants to government and certain educational entities for training health care students and professionals on how to address mental health and related issues. It also specifies that grants or contracts awarded under the program must be for not less than three years.

Additionally, the bill reauthorizes a CDC education and awareness initiative to help health care professionals understand and seek support for their mental health. It also requires the CDC to submit annual reports to specified congressional committees on the initiative’s activities and outcomes.

Current Status of Bill S 266

Bill S 266 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 28, 2025. Bill S 266 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on January 28, 2025.  Bill S 266's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of January 28, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 266

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
7
Democrat Cosponsors
3
Republican Cosponsors
4
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 266

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 266

A bill to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, and for other purposes.
A bill to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, and for other purposes.

Comments