[House Report 118-514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress }                                             { Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session    }                                             { 118-514

======================================================================



 
                  DR. LORNA BREEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDER 
                     PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

                                _______
                                

  May 21, 2024.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed 

                                _______
                                

     Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, from the Committee on Energy and 
                   Commerce, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 7153]

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 7153) to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health 
Care Provider Protection Act, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without 
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     1
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Committee Action.................................................     2
Committee Votes..................................................     3
Oversight Findings and Recommendations...........................     5
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     5
Congressional Budget Office Estimate.............................     5
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     5
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................     5
Related Committee and Subcommittee Hearings......................     5
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     6
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits.......     6
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     6
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     6
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     6

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 7153 reauthorizes the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care 
Provider Protection Act, which directs the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) to allocate resources to health care 
entities for programs that promote the utilization of mental 
health and substance use disorder services among health care 
professionals.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    Health care provider burnout and mental health conditions 
have been on the rise in recent years and was exacerbated by 
the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2022, 42 percent of health care 
workers reported feeling burned out, which has increased from 
32 percent reported in 2018.\1\ Additionally, health care 
workers who reported a hostile work environment were more 
likely to report having anxiety, depression, burnout and/or 
suicidal ideation.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Workers Face 
a Mental Health Crisis. October 24, 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/
vitalsigns/health-worker-mental-health/index.html.
    \2\Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Since 2022, Congress has provided $103 million in funding 
to 44 organizations\3\ to implement evidence-informed 
strategies that reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and 
substance use disorders. This bill would reauthorize the Dr. 
Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which is aimed 
at reducing burn out and mental health conditions among health 
care workers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\Workplace Change Collaborative, ``HRSA Grantees''. https://
www.wpchange.org/hrsa-
grantees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Committee Action

    On February 14, 2024, the Subcommittee on Health held a 
hearing on H.R. 7153. The title of the hearing was 
``Legislative Proposals to Support Patients and Caregivers.'' 
The Subcommittee received testimony from:
           Andy Shih, PhD, Chief Science Officer, 
        Autism Speaks;
           Corey Feist, JD, MBA, Co-Founder and CEO, 
        Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation;
           Joanne Pike, DrPH, President and CEO, 
        Alzheimer's Association;
           Gordon Tomaselli, MD, Former President, 
        American Heart Association; Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz 
        Dean, Emeritus and Professor of Medicine, Albert 
        Einstein College of Medicine; Adjunct Professor of 
        Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine;
           Michelle Whitten, President, CEO, and Co-
        Founder, Global Down Syndrome Foundation;
           Randy Strozyk, President, American Ambulance 
        Association; and
           Christina Annunziata, MD, PhD, Senior Vice 
        President of Extramural Discovery Science, American 
        Cancer Society.
    On March 12, 2024, the Subcommittee on Health met in open 
markup session and forwarded H.R. 7153, without amendment, to 
the full Committee by a record vote of 25 yeas and 0 nays.
    On March 20, 2024, the full Committee on Energy and 
Commerce met in open markup session and ordered H.R. 7153, 
without amendment, favorably reported to the House by a record 
vote of 48 yeas and 0 nays.

                            Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the 
record votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments 
thereto. The following reflects the record votes taken during 
the Committee consideration:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                 Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    Pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII, the Committee held a hearing and made findings that 
are reflected in this report.

     New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax 
                        Expenditures

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee 
finds that H.R. 7153 would result in no new or increased budget 
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or 
revenues.

                  Congressional Budget Office Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII, at the time this 
report was filed, the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not available.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general 
performance goal or objective of this legislation is to help 
support the reduction of burnout and mental health conditions 
among health care professionals.

                    Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, no provision of 
H.R. 7153 is known to be duplicative of another Federal 
program, including any program that was included in a report to 
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the 
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

              Related Committee and Subcommittee Hearings

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII, the following 
related hearing was used to develop or consider H.R. 7153:
     On February 14, 2024, the Subcommittee on Health 
held a hearing on H.R. 7153. The title of the hearing was 
``Legislative Proposals to Support Patients and Caregivers.'' 
The Subcommittee received testimony from:
           Andy Shih, PhD, Chief Science Officer, 
        Autism Speaks;
           Corey Feist, JD, MBA, Co-Founder and 
        CEO, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation;
           Joanne Pike, DrPH, President and CEO, 
        Alzheimer's Association;
           Gordon Tomaselli, MD, Former President, 
        American Heart Association; Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz 
        Dean, Emeritus and Professor of Medicine, Albert 
        Einstein College of Medicine; Adjunct Professor of 
        Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine;
           Michelle Whitten, President, CEO, and 
        Co-Founder, Global Down Syndrome Foundation;
           Randy Strozyk, President, American 
        Ambulance Association; and
           Christina Annunziata, MD, PhD, Senior 
        Vice President of Extramural Discovery Science, 
        American Cancer Society.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee 
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. At the time this report was 
filed, the estimate was not available.

     Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits

    Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 7153 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 provides that the Act may be cited as the ``Dr. 
Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization 
Act''.

Section 2. Education and awareness initiative encouraging use of 
        mental health and substance use disorder services by 
        health care professionals

    Section 2 makes technical changes to, and reauthorizes, 
section 3 of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider 
Protection Act for five fiscal years, from fiscal year 2025 
through 2029.

Section 3. Programs to promote mental health among the health 
        professional workforce

    Section 3 makes technical changes to, and reauthorizes, 
section 4 of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider 
Protection Act for five fiscal years from, fiscal year 2025 
through 2029.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

                DR. LORNA BREEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDER   
                            PROTECTION ACT


           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
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--
          (1) 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
          (2) 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, and annually thereafter, 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] 2025 through 2029.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                       PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
           
                TITLE VII--HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                PART E--HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND PUBLIC  
                           HEALTH WORKFORCE 

Subpart 1--Health Professions Workforce Information and Analysis

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. [764]  764A. PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE HEALTH 
                    PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE.

  (a) Programs to Promote Mental Health Among Health Care 
Professionals.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants or 
        contracts 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 or contract under this subsection shall use funds 
        received through the grant or contract 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 and contracts under 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority [to 
        eligible entities in] to eligible entities that--
                  (A) are in  health professional shortage 
                areas or rural areas[.]; or
                  (B) have a focus on the reduction of 
                administrative burden on health care workers.
  (b) 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.
  (c) Grant Terms.--A grant or contract awarded under 
subsection (a) or (b) shall be for a period of not less than 3 
years.
  (d) Application Submission.--An entity seeking a grant or 
contract under subsection (a) or (b) shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.
  (e) Reporting.--An entity awarded a grant or contract under 
subsection (a) or (b) shall periodically submit to the 
Secretary a report evaluating the activities supported by the 
grant or contract.
  (f) 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] 2025 through 2029.

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