Congressional Record — House, December 8, 2021, Page H7522
Summary
Congressional Record, House, December 8, 2021 (page H7522). The page prints bill text for the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify and disseminate best practices for preventing suicide and improving mental health among health care professionals and to set up an education and awareness initiative. Section 3 authorizes $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024. Members then speak in support of the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act (CAROL Act) on valvular heart disease research, named for Carol, the late wife of Andy Barr, and a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill as amended is recorded as agreed to by two-thirds.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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“Congressional Record — House, December 8, 2021, Page H7522.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-12-08-crec-2021-12-08-pt1-pgh7522-d16c179f57/
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H7522 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 8, 2021
my good friend, my dear friend, Con- try—to highlight important research H.R. 1667
gressman ANDY BARR and his legisla- that needs to be done so that others Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
tion named, of course, in memory of will not have to go through something resentatives of the United States of America in
his late wife, Carol. similar because ANDY has led in such a Congress assembled,
ANDY knows Monica and I loved strong way. We are grateful to know SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
being with Carol and ANDY whenever ANDY, and we want him to know that This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Dr. Lorna
we could. Whenever we could get to- he is not alone. Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act’’.
SEC. 2. DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES.
gether it was great, especially when we I will always remember the times
traveled together. Not later than 2 years after the date of the en-
that I was with Carol. She was one of
actment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and
Let me talk about the bill for a sec- those people who seemed to do it all Human Services (referred to in this Act as the
ond. The Cardiovascular Advances in and do it all so well. And my memory ‘‘Secretary’’) shall identify and disseminate evi-
Research and Opportunities Legacy of her is one of just lighting up the dence-based or evidence-informed best practices
Act, or CAROL Act, will help to ad- room. She shined so brightly. And for preventing suicide and improving mental
vance research on valvular heart dis- ANDY continues to shine. And their health and resiliency among health care profes-
ease. girls are shining today. sionals, and for training health care profes-
Specifically, this bill authorizes We join today in strong support of sionals in appropriate strategies to promote
grants that allow us to identify and de- this legislation. It is going to help us their mental health. Such best practices shall in-
clude recommendations related to preventing
velop a cohort of individuals with val- get answers so that others will not be suicide and improving mental health and resil-
vular disease. impacted the same way. And let’s get iency among health care professionals.
We will then be able to gather data this done, as Carol said. SEC. 3. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS INITIATIVE
and help doctors determine which indi-
b 1630 ENCOURAGING USE OF MENTAL
viduals are at high risk of sudden car- HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DIS-
diac death. Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, ORDER SERVICES BY HEALTH CARE
again, this is a great legacy for a great PROFESSIONALS.
And finally, the bill will convene sub-
woman and her children. Every time I (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consulta-
ject matter experts to strategize on tion with relevant stakeholders, including med-
what research is needed to develop see them, we all tear up but we know ical professional associations, shall establish a
guidelines for treatment of patients that they are carrying on her legacy. I national evidence-based or evidence-informed
with mitral valve prolapse. know that her husband is here today education and awareness initiative—
As a doctor, I know this legislation moving forward with her legacy. (1) to encourage health care professionals to
will undoubtedly help to save many Madam Speaker, I urge my col- seek support and care for their mental health or
lives. leagues to support the passage of the substance use concerns, to help such profes-
The bill’s 180 cosponsors, who span bill, and I thank the gentleman for sionals identify risk factors associated with sui-
yielding to the gentlewoman from cide and mental health conditions, and to help
the political spectrum, are a testament
such professionals learn how best to respond to
to how important this body believes Washington. such risks, with the goal of preventing suicide,
this bill to be. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance mental health conditions, and substance use
Today, we take another step towards of my time. disorders; and
getting this bill across the finish line. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, let (2) to address stigma associated with seeking
It will be a fitting tribute to a beau- me just say again what a tribute that mental health and substance use disorder serv-
tiful life when we see it signed into ANDY BARR has made to his wife. ices.
law. Madam Speaker, this is such an im- (b) REPORTING.—Not later than 2 years after
Madam Speaker, I know Carol is portant bill in terms of trying to deal the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall provide to the Committee on Health, Edu-
beaming with pride as she looks down with this disease. Again, I urge bipar- cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and
on ANDY today. And ANDY and Carol’s tisan support, and I yield back the bal- the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
girls, Eleanor and Mary Clay, are even ance of my time. House of Representatives an update on the ac-
more proud of both their mom and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tivities and outcomes of the initiative under sub-
their dad than they already are on this question is on the motion offered by section (a), including a description of quan-
particular day. the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. titative and qualitative metrics used to evaluate
So may God bless ANDY and Carol PALLONE) that the House suspend the such activities and outcomes.
Barr. Carol reached out and touched rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1193, as (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To
carry out this section, there are authorized to be
the face of God, but the positive effects amended. appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years
of her life and ANDY’s work will never The question was taken; and (two- 2022 through 2024.
perish. Their legacies are that they thirds being in the affirmative) the SEC. 4. PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE MENTAL
bring good things to life. So I am glad rules were suspended and the bill, as HEALTH AMONG THE HEALTH PRO-
to see all of my colleagues here to sup- amended, was passed. FESSIONAL WORKFORCE.
port this bill, and I urge its passage. The title of the bill was amended so Subpart I of part E of title VII of the Public
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I as to read: ‘‘A bill to amend title IV of Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.. 294n et seq.) is
yield such time as she may consume to amended by adding at the end the following:
the Public Health Service Act to direct
‘‘SEC. 764. PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE MENTAL
the gentlewoman from Washington the Director of the National Institutes HEALTH AMONG THE HEALTH PRO-
(Mrs. RODGERS). of Health, in consultation with the Di- FESSIONAL WORKFORCE.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. rector of the National Heart, Lung, and ‘‘(a) PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH
Madam Speaker, first, to my colleague Blood Institute, to establish a program AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.—
and friend, ANDY BARR, what a beau- under which the Director of the Na- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award
tiful tribute to Carol. And I join my tional Institutes of Health shall sup- grants or contracts to health care entities, in-
colleagues, everyone here today, in port or conduct research on valvular cluding entities that provide health care serv-
strong support of the CAROL Act. We ices, such as hospitals, community health cen-
heart disease, and for other purposes.’’.
ters, and rural health clinics, or to medical pro-
love you. We love Carol. Our hearts go A motion to reconsider was laid on fessional associations, to establish or enhance
out to you. the table. evidence-based or evidence-informed programs
I am sitting here, and I am thinking f dedicated to improving mental health and resil-
what a beautiful tribute. And to Elea- iency for health care professionals.
nor and Mary Clay, I just saw their DR. LORNA BREEN HEALTH CARE ‘‘(2) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity receiv-
Christmas card, and I was thinking PROVIDER PROTECTION ACT ing a grant or contract under this subsection
they are beautiful, and they are loved, Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I shall use funds received through the grant or
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and they shine brightly just like their move to suspend the rules and pass the contract to implement a new program or en-
hance an existing program to promote mental
mom did. I know that this has been bill (H.R. 1667) to address behavioral
health among health care professionals, which
such a difficult time, and to see ANDY health and well-being among health may include—
step forward, bring this legislation— care professionals, as amended. ‘‘(A) improving awareness among health care
the CAROL Act that is going to help The Clerk read the title of the bill. professionals about risk factors for, and signs
thousands of others across the coun- The text of the bill is as follows: of, suicide and mental health or substance use
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December 8, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7523
disorders, in accordance with evidence-based or (c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The review under 1667, the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare
evidence-informed practices; subsection (a), as appropriate, shall identify Provider Protection Act.
‘‘(B) establishing new, or enhancing existing, best practices related to, and make recommenda- This legislation is named in honor of
evidence-based or evidence-informed programs tions to address— Dr. Lorna Breen, a sister, friend,
for preventing suicide and improving mental (1) improving mental health and resiliency
daughter, and emergency department
health and resiliency among health care profes- among health care professionals;
sionals; (2) removing barriers to mental health care for physician, who tragically died by sui-
‘‘(C) establishing new, or enhancing existing, health care professionals; and cide after the physical and mental toll
peer-support programs among health care pro- (3) strategies to promote resiliency among of the pandemic became too unbear-
fessionals; or health care professionals in health care settings. able. Dr. Breen was fearful of seeking
‘‘(D) providing mental health care, follow-up SEC. 6. GAO REPORT. assistance for her debilitating mental
services and care, or referral for such services Not later than 4 years after the date of enact- burden, which left her despondent and
and care, as appropriate. ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the physically unable to move from her of-
‘‘(3) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants and con- United States shall submit to the Congress a re- fice chair.
tracts under this subsection, the Secretary shall port on the extent to which Federal substance Earlier this year, her family testified
give priority to eligible entities in health profes- use disorder and mental health grant programs
sional shortage areas or rural areas.
before the Committee on Energy and
address the prevalence and severity of mental Commerce about how the workload and
‘‘(b) TRAINING GRANTS.—The Secretary may health conditions and substance use disorders
establish a program to award grants to health stress of her position during the begin-
among health professionals. Such report shall—
professions schools, academic health centers, (1) include an analysis of available evidence ning of the pandemic broke an other-
State or local governments, Indian Tribes or and data related to such conditions and pro- wise indomitable spirit of a compas-
Tribal organizations, or other appropriate pub- grams; and sionate woman with a strong love of
lic or private nonprofit entities (or consortia of (2) assess whether there are duplicative goals her job and her coworkers and her pa-
entities, including entities promoting multidisci- and objectives among such grant programs. tients.
plinary approaches) to support the training of The Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Pro-
health care students, residents, or health care The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to the rule, the gentleman from vider Protection Act will make signifi-
professionals in evidence-based or evidence-in-
formed strategies to address mental and sub- New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen- cant strides in improving access to
stance use disorders and improve mental health tleman from Kentucky (Mr. GUTHRIE) mental and behavioral health services.
and resiliency among health care professionals. each will control 20 minutes. First, the bill authorizes grants for
‘‘(c) GRANT TERMS.—A grant or contract The Chair recognizes the gentleman training health profession students,
awarded under subsection (a) or (b) shall be for from New Jersey. residents, or healthcare professionals
a period of 3 years. in evidence-informed strategies to re-
GENERAL LEAVE
‘‘(d) APPLICATION SUBMISSION.—An entity duce and prevent suicide, burnout,
seeking a grant or contract under subsection (a) Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I mental health conditions, and sub-
or (b) shall submit an application to the Sec- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- stance use disorders.
retary at such time, in such manner, and accom- bers may have 5 legislative days in It will also identify and disseminate
panied by such information as the Secretary which to revise and extend their re-
may require.
evidence-informed best practices for re-
marks and include extraneous material ducing and preventing suicide and
‘‘(e) REPORTING.—An entity awarded a grant
or contract under subsection (a) or (b) shall pe-
on H.R. 1667. burnout among healthcare profes-
riodically submit to the Secretary a report eval- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there sionals. The legislation also establishes
uating the activities supported by the grant or objection to the request of the gen- a national evidence-based education
contract. tleman from New Jersey? and awareness campaign targeting
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To There was no objection. healthcare professionals to encourage
carry out this section and section 5 of the Dr. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I them to seek support and treatment
Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection yield myself such time as I may con- for mental and behavioral health con-
Act, there are authorized to be appropriated sume. cerns. And finally, it calls for a com-
$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through
Madam Speaker, the COVID–19 pan- prehensive study to be conducted on
2024.’’.
demic has placed an extraordinary healthcare professional mental and be-
SEC. 5. REVIEW WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH amount of stress on physicians and havioral health and burnout.
AND RESILIENCY. other health professionals. According This bill received unanimous support
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after to a recent survey by the Physician in the Committee on Energy and Com-
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, Foundation, nationwide, half of physi- merce and is part of a series of bipar-
in consultation with relevant stakeholders, cians report feeling anxious due to tisan bills the committee has worked
shall— COVID–19-related concerns, and nearly on to bolster and support our
(1) conduct a review on improving health care healthcare workforce.
professional mental health and the outcomes of
60 percent report experiencing burnout.
That is a significant increase from just I thank the sponsors of this bill,
programs authorized under this Act; and
(2) submit a report to the Congress on the re- two years ago. most importantly, Representative
sults of such review. Yet, many are not getting the help WILD, who was the lead sponsor, and
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—The review under sub- they need. Only 13 percent of providers my colleagues on the committee for
section (a) shall take into account— have sought treatment to address pan- their steadfast work in honoring Dr.
(1) the prevalence and severity of mental demic-related mental health concerns. Breen, her family, and the countless
health conditions among health professionals, healthcare providers who will now have
and factors that contribute to those mental
Nearly half of emergency physicians
report not feeling comfortable seeking additional support and resources avail-
health conditions; able to them. It is my hope that this
(2) barriers to seeking and accessing mental mental health treatment for fear of
health care for health care professionals, which professional or personal repercussions, bill will lead to more healthcare pro-
may include consideration of stigma and licens- even though 87 percent say they have viders seeking help when they need it
ing concerns, and actions taken by State licens- been experiencing increased stress. without fear of repercussions or stig-
ing boards, schools for health professionals, Now, earlier this year, Congress took ma.
health care professional training associations, Madam Speaker, I urge my col-
action in the American Rescue Plan to
hospital associations, or other organizations, as leagues to support the bill, and I re-
appropriate, to address such barriers;
address these concerns. We invested in serve the balance of my time.
(3) the impact of the COVID–19 public health training for healthcare professionals on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without
emergency on the mental health of health care strategies to reduce burnout and stig- objection, the gentleman from Michi-
professionals and lessons learned for future ma associated with seeking mental gan (Mr. UPTON) will control the time
public health emergencies; healthcare; and we provided support to for the minority.
(4) factors that promote mental health and re- the employers of frontline providers so There was no objection.
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siliency among health care professionals, in- they can better care for the mental Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3
cluding programs or strategies to strengthen
health needs of their workforce. minutes to the gentlewoman from
mental health and resiliency among health care
professionals; and These were important investments Puerto Rico (Miss GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN).
(5) the efficacy of health professional training for a workforce stretched to the limit, Miss GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN. Madam
programs that promote resiliency and improve but there is still more to be done. And Speaker, I thank Mr. UPTON for yield-
mental health. that is why Congress must pass H.R. ing.
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H7524 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 8, 2021
Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- embodied the spirit of service in our on our healthcare workers and the need
port of H.R. 1667, the Dr. Lorna Breen time of national crisis. She died by sui- for the resources that they need to help
Healthcare Provider Act. This bill cide in April 2020 at the peak of the them cope. The demands that our
strikes close to home for me. I know a COVID crisis in New York after con- healthcare heroes are facing, they have
gentleman who served in our Armed tracting COVID herself, quarantining, not changed. They haven’t changed
Forces as an enlisted hospital corps- and then returning to work. yet. For months, for a year-and-a-half,
man and advocated for this bill. Her father said, ‘‘She was truly in the they have been asked to care for com-
He responded after the 2011 earth- trenches of the frontline. She tried to munities in my district in Southwest
quake in Haiti, working in an intensive do her job and it killed her. Make sure Michigan and across the country 24/7 as
care unit and caring for local residents, she is praised as a hero. She was a cas- the pandemic continues. This bill helps
even as an estimated 200,000 lives were ualty of this pandemic as much as any- us have their backs.
lost. He and many of his fellow corps- one else who died.’’ Madam Speaker, I talk to major hos-
men were teenagers at the time. I am honored in her memory to lead pitals in my district every week. And
Upon returning home, he thought, as this bill to prevent burnout among the the common refrain that we have been
this bill calls it, that he was simply health professionals answering the call hearing throughout the State of Michi-
burned out. Many of those he served of duty. I thank my seven co-leads, gan is that our hospitals are still
with would abruptly leave the service RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI, DAVID MCKIN- strained to the breaking point. Staff
or transition to administrative duties. LEY, JUDY CHU, FRED UPTON, HALEY shortages are severe. I saw a story a
After suffering from flashbacks dur- STEVENS, MORGAN GRIFFITH, and JOHN few hours ago but I think the State of
ing emergency and medical situations, KATKO, and to note that the strong bi- Maine is now taking up their National
though, this gentleman would quietly partisan support that this bill enjoys is Guard. We have asked for national help
leave the service as well, recognizing confirmation that Congress can still from President Biden as well in Michi-
that he could no longer render the care come together to tackle big problems. gan. There have been too many exam-
that he had been trained to give. It I thank Jennifer and Corey Feist, Dr. ples of healthcare workers that are suf-
would take nearly a decade for him to Breen’s sister and brother-in-law, who fering from this enormous pressure as
begin accessing mental health re- have championed this bill from the be- they fight the worst public health cri-
sources that he needed. ginning to ensure that Lorna’s legacy sis in a century.
Madam Speaker, I tell this story, is codified here in the halls of Con- This legislation is going to help pro-
with his permission, of course, to make gress. But most of all, I thank every mote mental and behavioral health for
two points. last doctor, nurse, EMT, custodial those healthcare professionals, improv-
First, that widespread provider burn- staffer, food service worker, and espe- ing their overall well-being and maybe
out can lead to staffing shortages. cially our emergency room doctors who even saving their own lives. This bill
Second, that many times we use the put themselves into harm’s way to helps promote mental and behavioral
phrase ‘‘burnout’’ to hide deeper keep the rest of us safe. Our work to health among those working on the
wounds. Burnout implies a short-term secure for you the support you need is front lines of the pandemic. It supports
change, one that seemingly heals with far from over. training for health professionals to pre-
a break or a vacation. But as our hos- Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I yield vent suicide and burnout, and it in-
pitals have overflowed in places with myself such time as I might consume. creases awareness about suicide and
COVID patients, burnout can be some- Madam Speaker, first of all, I thank mental health concerns among their
thing more serious. the leadership on our committee. I peers.
That is why this bill is important. It thank Mr. PALLONE, Ms. MCMORRIS I am glad that we are considering
establishes a communication campaign RODGERS, Mr. GUTHRIE, and obviously, this important bill and that we will
to educate and encourage providers to Chair ANNA ESHOO, and our staffs for vote on it yet tonight. I look forward
seek care. It will decrease costs by es- moving this legislation forward. to having it being signed into law.
tablishing grant programs for providers Madam Speaker, this is a very impor- Again, I thank the bipartisan co-
who use that care, and it will produce tant bill. All of our healthcare work- operation on both sides of the aisle.
cutting-edge science on the problem of ers, particularly in this COVID pan- Hopefully, we can get our Senate col-
burnout among physicians. demic, are really heroes. They are, leagues—and I know that they are with
Madam Speaker, let me close by say- without exception. All of us know us on this—to work together to get this
ing that all healthcare providers many of these workers because they bill to the President as soon as we can.
should know that accessing the re- are our neighbors and friends. And each We can’t wait another day.
sources this act will provide is a good of us have heard those cries of woe as Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
thing. It means they are still human they have done their job every day, ance of my time.
enough to appreciate the tragedies every day, day after day for 24/7.
they experience. I can’t imagine how they do it; b 1645
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I watching so many folks suffer as they Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I
yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman try to help them from their hospital yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Pennsylvania (Ms. WILD), the lead beds. Passing on the sad words that from California (Ms. CHU).
sponsor of the bill. they passed away to family members, Ms. CHU. Madam Speaker, I rise
Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, I rise maybe not even in person because of today in strong support of the Dr.
today in support of my bill, the Dr. this terrible pandemic. And thinking of Lorna Breen Act.
Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Pro- the hundreds of thousands of Ameri- The past 2 years have stretched our
tection Act, which will finally provide cans that have died because of this Nation to the brink. No one has shoul-
resources and support to our awful disease, let alone so many more dered this burden more than our
healthcare heroes who face burnout across the globe. healthcare workers. The doctors,
and mental health crisis as a result of Well, one of those healthcare workers nurses, and all healthcare workers who
their experiences with COVID–19. who was well-publicized at the time have worked day in and day out
America owes an incredible debt of was Lorna Breen, a physician from through surge after surge have put
gratitude to these professionals who Charlottesville, working on the front their lives on hold to care for us and
work to keep us safe and healthy. Doc- lines of the pandemic in New York, our loved ones as the pandemic spread
tors die by suicide at twice the rate of moving up there to try and help the around the country.
the general population. The trauma of need. And, yes, as it was mentioned, In many instances, they have done
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their experience during COVID—and took her own life. this while understaffed, without suffi-
before—while treating patients is This was a national story. It gripped cient PPE, and knowing that they are
something we must address head on. the Nation. I can remember watching putting their own lives at risk before a
Dr. Lorna Breen was the emergency the news show that week as this tragic vaccine was available to them. This
room director at New York Pres- story was portrayed. It outlined the se- can have a profound impact on a pro-
byterian Hospital and was a hero who vere stress that this pandemic has put vider’s mental health. Today, we are
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December 8, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7525
taking an important step to ensure afraid of being penalized for seeking forget our healthcare workers. We will
that they get the help they need. treatment. continue to stand up for them.
The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Even before the pandemic, 42 percent Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, this is
Provider Protection Act establishes of the physicians reported experiencing a great bill. We need to vote for it
grants for training healthcare workers burnout, and 40 percent reported a re- without delay, and I thank my chair-
and strategies to reduce and prevent luctance to seek treatment for a med- man. I yield back the balance of my
suicide burnout, mental health condi- ical health condition. This is far too time.
tions, and substance use disorders. It many people suffering in silence. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I
also establishes a national awareness How can we expect our doctors to urge support for this bill, which is bi-
campaign to encourage healthcare pro- take care of us when they feel they partisan, and I yield back the balance
fessionals to seek support and treat- can’t take care of themselves? of my time.
ment for mental health issues. The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
As one of the two psychologists in Provider Protection Act, named for a question is on the motion offered by
Congress, I know how much mental doctor who lost her life to suicide after the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
healthcare matters and how much stig- fighting on the front lines of the pan- PALLONE) that the House suspend the
ma can prevent someone from getting demic, will help reduce and prevent rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1667, as
the help they need. By passing this bill suicide, burnout, and mental health amended.
today, we can say to healthcare work- conditions of healthcare professionals. The question was taken.
ers: You are not alone. It does so by supporting training to The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
Madam Speaker, I urge my col- prevent suicide and burnout; creating a opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being
leagues to support this critical legisla- national awareness campaign encour- in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
tion. aging healthcare professionals to seek Mr. WEBER of Texas. Madam Speak-
Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I have support for mental health concerns; er, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
no further speakers, and I am ready to and establishing a comprehensive The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
close. I reserve the balance of my time. study on healthcare professional men- ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I tal health and burnout, including the 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from impact of the pandemic. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur-
Our healthcare professionals have
Illinois (Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI). ther proceedings on this motion are
Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam been serving on the front lines, taking
postponed.
Speaker, I rise today in strong support care of us amid an unprecedented glob-
al pandemic. It is time we take care of f
of the Dr. Lorna Breen Act.
My wife, Priya, is a physician. Like them. ORAL HEALTH LITERACY AND
Madam Speaker, I urge my col- AWARENESS ACT OF 2021
her colleagues, she has worked tire-
leagues to support this critical legisla-
lessly during the pandemic. During the Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I
tion.
pandemic, people have referred to these Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I re- move to suspend the rules and pass the
healthcare workers as heroes, but as serve the balance of my time. bill (H.R. 4555) to amend the Public
you know, our heroes are human. They Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I Health Service Act to authorize a pub-
struggle with the trauma of losing col- yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman lic education campaign across all rel-
leagues and patients, and they expose from Michigan (Ms. STEVENS). evant programs of the Health Re-
themselves to the daily risks of COVID. Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I sources and Services Administration to
They suffer from burnout, depression, rise today to voice support for my increase oral health literacy and
and suicide. friend Representative SUSAN WILD’s bi- awareness.
In fact, before the pandemic, one partisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care The Clerk read the title of the bill.
physician every day committed sui- Provider Protection Act, a bill that es- The text of the bill is as follows:
cide. That rate has gone up signifi- tablishes training programs for H.R. 4555
cantly during the pandemic. healthcare workers to prevent suicide Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
I am reminded of the situation of Dr. and burnout. resentatives of the United States of America in
Scott Jolley in Utah. He would some- As I am here in Congress today, I Congress assembled,
times work until 3 a.m. as the only think of my constituents back home in SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
physician on duty at his hospital in Michigan who are in the midst of an- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Oral Health
Utah. By November 2020, he was diag- other COVID–19 spike, who are in our Literacy and Awareness Act of 2021’’.
nosed with PTSD, and by February hospitals telling us they are full, who SEC. 2. ORAL HEALTH LITERACY AND AWARE-
2021, he had committed suicide. NESS CAMPAIGN.
cannot provide care in the way they
These tragic losses and stories from have been trained and taught and in The Public Health Service Act is amended
medical professionals are unending. by inserting after section 340G–1 of such Act
the way they would like to. These (42 U.S.C. 256g–1) the following:
Today, in honor of one of these heroes, spikes leave us exhausted. They leave ‘‘SEC. 340G–2. ORAL HEALTH LITERACY AND
Dr. Lorna Breen, the Dr. Lorna Breen our healthcare workers all the more AWARENESS.
Health Care Provider Protection Act stressed. ‘‘(a) CAMPAIGN.—The Secretary, acting
was created and will expand access to People are being pushed to the limit. through the Administrator of the Health Re-
mental and behavioral health resources Since the start of this pandemic, sources and Services Administration, shall
to help our heroes, to help them cope Michigan’s healthcare workforce has establish a public education campaign (re-
with the stresses and anxieties that become fragile. We have lost workers ferred to in this subsection as the ‘cam-
they face every single day. due to the stress of this pandemic, yet paign’) across all relevant programs of the
Unfortunately, some of those stresses Health Resources and Services Administra-
this bipartisan legislation that brings
tion (including the health center program,
and anxieties will continue after this us together here today will provide oral health workforce programs, maternal
pandemic. That is why this act is so support to the workforce. and child health programs, the Ryan White
important. I look forward to passing Michigan healthcare workers deserve HIV/AIDS Program, and rural health pro-
this necessary piece of legislation this. They are working and are con- grams) to increase oral health literacy and
today. tinuing to work on the front lines of awareness.
Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I re- this pandemic. It is time to change how ‘‘(b) STRATEGIES.—In carrying out the cam-
serve the balance of my time. our healthcare industry approaches paign, the Secretary shall identify oral
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I mental health. We must step up to pro- health literacy and awareness strategies
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from that are evidence-based and focused on oral
vide a more reliable culture and sup-
health care education, including education
Rhode Island (Mr. CICILLINE). portive infrastructure for healthcare on prevention of oral disease such as early
Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, for professionals to count on for years to childhood and other caries, periodontal dis-
too long, healthcare providers strug- come. ease, and oral cancer.
gling with mental illness have suffered It took a pandemic for us to get this ‘‘(c) FOCUS.—The Secretary shall design
in silence, intimidated by stigma and Dr. Lorna Breen bill, and we will not the campaign to communicate directly with
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