A bipartisan, bicameral coalition of United States Senators and Representatives has recently introduced legislation to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act for an additional five years.

Originally enacted into law on March 18, 2022, the legislation bears the namesake of Dr. Lorna Breen, a Virginia-based physician who tragically took her own life in April 2020. Dr. Breen's untimely death was attributed to the immense stress and trauma she experienced while serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

Since its inception, the law has allocated $100 million to support mental health care for healthcare providers nationwide. However, specific provisions within the initial legislation are slated to expire by the end of the current year. Consequently, introducing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 3679/H.R. 7153) becomes imperative to sustain and extend the positive impact of the original law.

The California Medical Association expresses its commendation for initiating this significant legislation, recognizing its crucial role in ensuring the continuation of essential mental health support for healthcare providers nationwide.