House passes AHA-supported behavioral health, societal factors bills

The House last night passed the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667), AHA-supported legislation that would authorize grants for programs that offer behavioral health services for front-line health care workers. Named for a doctor who led the emergency department at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, the bill also would require the Department of Health and Human Services to recommend strategies to address health care provider burnout and facilitate resiliency and launch a campaign encouraging health care workers to seek assistance when needed. In addition, the House passed the CARING for Social Determinants of Health Act (H.R. 3894), AHA-supported legislation that would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to issue guidance to help states address social determinants of health under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. 

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act has previously passed the Senate, and H.R. 1667 incorporates small changes the Senate recommended; the legislation is expected to clear the Senate again expeditiously. H.R. 3894 now also moves to the Senate for consideration.