[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 610 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                        Calendar No. 69
117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 610

     To address behavioral health and well-being among health care 
                             professionals.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 4, 2021

  Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Young, Mr. Reed, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. King, 
   Mrs. Capito, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Collins, Mr. Warner, Ms. Smith, Ms. 
 Rosen, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Sinema, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Tester, Mr. Van 
   Hollen, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Peters, Ms. Murkowski, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. 
 Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Brown, and Mrs. 
   Shaheen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

                              June 8, 2021

               Reported by Mrs. Murray, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To address behavioral health and well-being among health care 
                             professionals.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care 
Provider Protection Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING TRAINING FOR HEALTH 
              CARE PROFESSIONALS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 764. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING TRAINING FOR 
              HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Grant Program.--The Secretary shall establish a 
program to award grants to health professions schools, academic health 
centers, State or local governments, or other appropriate public or 
private nonprofit entities for funding and participation in health 
professions and nursing training activities for the training of health 
care students, residents, or professionals in evidence-informed 
strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, behavioral health 
conditions, including mental health conditions and substance use 
disorders, among health care professionals, and in evidence-informed 
strategies to improve health care professionals' well-being and job 
satisfaction.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under 
subsection (a), an entity described in such subsection shall submit to 
the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Reporting Requirement.--Each entity awarded a grant 
under this section shall periodically submit to the Secretary a report 
evaluating the activities supported by the grant.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Best Practices.--The Secretary may identify and 
disseminate evidence-informed best practices for reducing and 
preventing suicide and burnout among health care professionals, and 
training health care professionals in appropriate strategies and 
promoting their mental and behavioral health and job satisfaction. Such 
best practices shall include specific recommendations for reducing and 
preventing suicide, burnout, and other mental and behavioral health 
concerns among health care professionals during or in the aftermath of 
a pandemic, natural disaster, or other crisis.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this 
section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGING USE OF 
              MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES BY HEALTH CARE 
              PROFESSIONALS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
Services (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary''), acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
and in consultation with the medical professional community, shall 
establish a national evidence-based education and awareness campaign 
targeting health care professionals to encourage such professionals to 
seek support and treatment for their own mental and behavioral health 
concerns, help such professionals identify risk factors in themselves 
and others and learn how best to respond to such risks, with the goal 
of reducing or preventing suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral 
health conditions, and to address stigma associated with seeking mental 
and behavioral health support and treatment.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide an update on the 
campaign's progress, including a plan for evaluation that includes 
quantitative and qualitative metrics, and a media and dissemination 
plan, to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2022 through 2026.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROMOTE MENTAL AND 
              BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AMONG THEIR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 
              WORKFORCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.), as amended by section 2, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 764A. GRANTS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROMOTE 
              MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AMONG THEIR HEALTH 
              PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to 
health care providers, including medical professional associations, to 
establish or expand evidence-informed programs dedicated to promoting 
mental and behavioral health among their employees (including 
contractors) or members who are working on the front lines of the SARS-
CoV-2 pandemic.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Use of Grant Funds.--A health care provider awarded 
a grant under subsection (a) shall use amounts under the grant to 
implement a new program or protocol or expand an existing program or 
protocol to promote mental and behavioral health among employees 
(including contractors) or members who have previously treated or 
otherwise served, or are currently treating or otherwise serving, 
patients diagnosed with COVID-19, which may include any of the 
following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Educating employees, including contractors, 
        or membership about risk factors for and signs of self-harm and 
        suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions in 
        accordance with evidence-based practices and 
        standards.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Establishing new or enhancing existing 
        evidence-based programs or protocols for preventing mental and 
        behavioral health conditions, suicide, or self-harm.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Establishing new or enhancing existing peer-
        support programs among employees (including contractors) or 
        members.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Mental and behavioral health treatment, 
        follow up services and care, or referral for such services 
        identified as appropriate as a result of the screenings or 
        prevention programs and protocol described in paragraphs (1) 
        and (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Grant Terms.--A grant awarded under subsection (a)--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) shall be for a period of 3 years; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) may be renewed subject to the requirements 
        of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Application Submission.--A health care provider 
seeking a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
information as the Secretary may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Priority.--Priority shall be given to applications 
from health care providers located in current or former COVID-19 
hotspots, as determined by the Secretary or health care providers which 
have diagnosed or treated a higher share of COVID-19 patients, as 
determined by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Reporting.--A health care provider awarded a grant 
under subsection (a) shall periodically submit to the Secretary a 
report evaluating the activities supported by the grant.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this 
section, there is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for the 
period of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL MENTAL 
              AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND BURNOUT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.), as amended by section 4, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 764B. COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL 
              MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND BURNOUT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
stakeholders, shall conduct a review and submit recommendations to 
Congress on policies to improve health care professional mental health 
and prevent burnout.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Considerations.--The study under subsection (a) 
shall focus on identifying--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the factors that contribute to mental and 
        behavioral health conditions and burnout among health care 
        professionals;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the barriers to seeking and accessing mental 
        and behavioral health treatment for health care professionals, 
        including stigma and concerns about licensing and 
        credentialing;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the implications of poor mental and 
        behavioral health and burnout among health care professionals 
        for the health care system, the health care workforce, and 
        patient outcomes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the 
        mental and behavioral health of health care professionals and 
        related preparedness strategies for future health 
        emergencies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) the factors that promote mental and 
        behavioral health and resiliency among health care 
        professionals, including programs or protocols that strengthen 
        mental and behavioral health or prevent burnout among health 
        care professionals; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) the efficacy of health professional training 
        programs that promote resiliency and improve mental 
        health.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Recommendations.--The study required under 
subsection (a) shall include recommendations related to--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) improving mental and behavioral health and 
        preventing burnout among health care professionals;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) removing barriers to mental and behavioral 
        health care for health care professionals; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) strategies to promote resiliency among 
        health care professionals and other employees and contractors 
        in health care settings.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Completion.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
study under subsection (a) is completed and submitted to Congress and 
made publicly available not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for 
the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider 
Protection Act''.

SEC. 2. DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES.

    The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act 
as the ``Secretary'') shall identify and disseminate evidence-based or 
evidence-informed best practices for preventing suicide and improving 
mental health and resiliency among health care professionals, and for 
training health care professionals in appropriate strategies to promote 
their mental health. Such best practices shall include recommendations 
related to preventing suicide and improving mental health and 
resiliency among health care professionals.

SEC. 3. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS INITIATIVE ENCOURAGING USE OF MENTAL 
              HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES BY HEALTH CARE 
              PROFESSIONALS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, including medical professional associations, shall 
establish a national evidence-based or evidence-informed education and 
awareness initiative to encourage health care professionals to seek 
support and care for their mental health or substance use concerns, to 
help such professionals identify risk factors associated with suicide 
and mental health conditions, and to help such professionals learn how 
best to respond to such risks, with the goal of preventing suicide, 
mental health conditions, and substance use disorders, and to address 
stigma associated with seeking mental health and substance use disorder 
services.
    (b) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives an update on the 
activities and outcomes of the initiative under subsection (a), 
including a description of quantitative and qualitative metrics used to 
evaluate such activities and outcomes.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2022 through 2024.

SEC. 4. GRANTS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 
              WORKFORCE.

    Subpart I of part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C.. 294n et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 764. GRANTS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE HEALTH 
              PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants related to 
improving mental health and resiliency among health care professionals.
    ``(b) Grants to Promote Mental Health Among Health Care 
Professionals.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to 
        health care entities, including entities that provide health 
        care services, such as hospitals, community health centers, and 
        rural health clinics, or to medical professional associations, 
        to establish or enhance evidence-based or evidence-informed 
        programs dedicated to improving mental health and resiliency 
        for health care professionals.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant 
        under this subsection shall use amounts under the grant to 
        implement a new program or enhance an existing program to 
        promote mental health among health care professionals, which 
        may include--
                    ``(A) improving awareness among health care 
                professionals about risk factors for, and signs of, 
                suicide and mental health or substance use disorders, 
                in accordance with evidence-based or evidence-informed 
                practices;
                    ``(B) establishing new, or enhancing existing, 
                evidence-based or evidence-informed programs for 
                preventing suicide and improving mental health and 
                resiliency among health care professionals;
                    ``(C) establishing new, or enhancing existing, 
                peer-support programs among health care professionals; 
                or
                    ``(D) providing mental health care, follow-up 
                services and care, or referral for such services and 
                care, as appropriate.
            ``(3) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, 
        the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities in 
        health professional shortage areas or rural areas.
    ``(c) Training Grants.--The Secretary may establish a program to 
award grants to health professions schools, academic health centers, 
State or local governments, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, or 
other appropriate public or private nonprofit entities (or consortia of 
entities, including entities promoting multidisciplinary approaches) to 
support the training of health care students, residents, or health care 
professionals in evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies to 
address mental and substance use disorders and improve mental health 
and resiliency among health care professionals.
    ``(d) Grant Terms.--A grant awarded under subsection (b) or (c) 
shall be for a period of 3 years.
    ``(e) Application Submission.--An entity seeking a grant under 
subsection (b) or (c) shall submit an application to the Secretary at 
such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the 
Secretary may require.
    ``(f) Reporting.--An entity awarded a grant under subsection (b) or 
(c) shall periodically submit to the Secretary a report evaluating the 
activities supported by the grant.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section 
and section 5 of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection 
Act, there are authorized to be appropriated $35,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2022 through 2024.''.

SEC. 5. REVIEW WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH 
              AND RESILIENCY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, shall conduct a review and, not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report to Congress related 
to improving health care professional mental health and resiliency and 
the outcomes of programs authorized under this Act.
    (b) Considerations.--The review under subsection (a) shall take 
into account--
            (1) factors that contribute to mental health conditions;
            (2) barriers to seeking and accessing mental health care 
        for health care professionals, which may include consideration 
        of stigma and licensing concerns, and actions taken by State 
        licensing boards, schools for health professionals, health care 
        professional training associations, hospital associations, or 
        other organizations, as appropriate, to address such barriers;
            (3) the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on 
        the mental health of health care professionals and lessons 
        learned for future public health emergencies;
            (4) factors that promote mental health and resiliency among 
        health care professionals, including programs or strategies to 
        strengthen mental health and resiliency among health care 
        professionals; and
            (5) the efficacy of health professional training programs 
        that promote resiliency and improve mental health.
    (c) Recommendations.--The review under subsection (a), as 
appropriate, shall identify best practices related to, and make 
recommendations to address--
            (1) improving mental health and resiliency among health 
        care professionals;
            (2) removing barriers to mental health care for health care 
        professionals; and
            (3) strategies to promote resiliency among health care 
        professionals in health care settings.
                                                        Calendar No. 69

117th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 610

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

     To address behavioral health and well-being among health care 
                             professionals.

_______________________________________________________________________

                              June 8, 2021

                       Reported with an amendment