Some people are vaguely aware of the Dr Lorna Breen’s story. Among doctors and frontline caregivers, she has become the face of healthcare workers overwhelmed by Covid-19.

We know her as a loving sister and sister-in-law. A doctor specializing in emergency medicine. An avid snowboarder, salsa dancer, cello player and the “cool aunt” to eight nieces and nephews. Despite the fact that there were a million reasons not to, she drove a convertible sports car in Manhattan because it made her happy. She was known for her cheerful demeanor and dedication to improving the healthcare experience for patients.

Lorna has treated countless Covid-19 patients at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital before contracting the coronavirus herself. After recovering, she donned personal protective equipment again and returned to the fray to help combat this scourge. But as it happened with so many frontline workers, the sea of ​​patients and the overcrowded hospital began to take their toll on Lorna. As a healer, she was unable to heal. She has become engulfed in fear of the professional stigma of not being able to keep pace with a pandemic and worries that she will not be able to get support to remedy her deteriorating mental health without losing her medical license.

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April 26, 2020 she succumbed to suicide.

Many healthcare workers shares his struggle with Covid-related mental health issues ranging from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder.

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As the country begins to examine the long-term impact of the pandemic on mental health, once-whispered concerns that the healthcare system needs to protect its workforce have grown.

In the US Congress, a bipartisan group led by Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) And Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) Responded to the call for help by presenting the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. This unique legislation aims to prevent suicide and burnout among healthcare professionals and alleviate their mental and behavioral health problems. It also contains provision for further study to understand the factors contributing to burnout and mental health conditions of healthcare professionals and barriers to their access to care, including stigma and concerns about licensing. and credentials.

The Federal Administration of Resources and Health Services has started giving grants for mental health support for healthcare providers under the $ 1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief program, known as the ???American Rescue Plan Act. But the Dr Lorna Breen’s law has yet to be passed to ensure continued support for healthcare workers long after the pandemic has ended.

Even before Covid-19 struck, the doctors had the highest suicide death rate of any profession in the country. Now, almost 60% report burnout, a surge that suggests worrying trends for healthcare workers. A recent poll of the American College of Emergency Physicians found that 73% of emergency physicians expressed concern about the stigma if they sought mental health support, and 57% said they would fear losing their jobs if they were seeking mental health treatment. Like Lorna, many doctors fear that seeking support will make them feel like they are unable to cure their patients. Doctors say they are concerned about reporting requirements on job applications or medical license applications / renewals in some states. Despite being a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, some state medical license applications ask general questions about a mental health history.

If passed, the Dr Lorna Breen Act will provide a roadmap for the $ 140 million allocated in the US bailout to train healthcare professionals in strategies to combat suicide, burnout and burnout. mental and behavioral health problems. He also awards grants and orders the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct an awareness campaign to encourage medical professionals and first responders to seek mental health support.

Most importantly, the legislation establishes ongoing support to identify and disseminate evidence-based best practices to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health issues among healthcare professionals long after the pandemic has subsided. Hospitals and clinics will need this guidance to strengthen mental health supports for their workers.

The Act also examines whether mental health issues in physician recertification processes deterrence from asking for help.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is ready to consider the Dr. Lorna Breen Act. The legislation, which is supported by more than 70 leading medical societies and mental health advocacy groups, must be taken over by congressional jurisdictional committees as soon as possible. The passage of the law would go down in history: the first law of its kind to deal with the mental health of health workers in our country.

The United States needs a health care system that does not leave its frontline caregivers unprotected and unsupported. We call on Congress to honor healthcare workers by advancing the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act and making a down payment to address this growing crisis.

Jennifer Breen Feist is a Virginia-based lawyer. Corey Feist is the chief executive officer of the University of Virginia group of physicians. They are the co-founders of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation.