ANA Applauds Signing of Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act by President Biden

SILVER SPRING, MD—The American Nurses Association (ANA) hails the signing of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S. 610/H.R. 1667) into law by President Joseph R. Biden. This bipartisan legislation will direct $140 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (H.R. 1319) to train current and future health professionals on how to prevent suicide, burnout, and substance use disorders. The bill is named for Dr. Lorna Breen, who tragically died by suicide after being consumed by feelings of helplessness and despair while treating COVID-19 patients during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020.

"Enacting this law is a critical first step towards providing our nurses with the support they need to help alleviate some of the extraordinary duress they have been working under for the past two years," said ANA President Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. "I am also hopeful that this will start to chip away at the culture of stoicism and silence within health care that prevents many providers from seeking help for mental health issues when they need it. I would like to thank Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) and Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA) and David McKinley (R-WV) for their leadership and support on this issue."  READ MORE