SHM Supports the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

The Honorable Susan Wild

U.S. House of Representatives

1027 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

 

The Honorable David McKinley

U.S. House of Representatives

2239 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

 

Dear Representative Susan Wild, David McKinley, et al.,

 

The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), representing the nation’s hospitalists, is pleased to offer our support of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667). This bipartisan legislation begins to address a rapidly expanding issue of burnout among healthcare professionals. It establishes grants that support training in strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, behavioral health conditions, and substance use disorders among healthcare professionals. Furthermore, this legislation provides funding for programs to educate and promote mental and behavioral health in the healthcare workforce.

 

Hospitalists are front-line clinicians in America’s acute care hospitals and focus on the general medical care of hospitalized patients. As a result, our members have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic caring for patients. Rates of burnout were high and rising before the pandemic, and COVID-19 has exacerbated the mental and emotional toll of caring for patients. Extreme shortages in healthcare professionals lead to longer hours, additional shifts, and higher patient volumes. In addition, incidents of workplace violence and aggressive patients and families are increasing across the country. Hospitalists are facing unprecedented stresses and trauma and desperately need help and support. This is a crisis.

 

As the United States continues to confront the COVID- 19 pandemic, this legislation will help provide mental health support to the providers who tirelessly risk their physical and emotional wellbeing to care for patients.

 

SHM stand ready to work alongside you to secure the passage of this important legislation in the House of Representatives. If you have any questions, contact Josh Boswell at (267) 702-2632 or jboswell@hospitalmedicine.org.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jerome Siy, MD, MHA, SFHM
President, Society of Hospital Medicine