What Happened In Washington D.C. This Week

A Mental Health Moment - Week 28

Author

Jake Goodman
July 14, 2024

Follow-Up from Washington D.C. – Thank You for Your Support!

Hello friends,

As many of you know, I spent the week in Washington, D.C. meeting with members of Congress to gain support for the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, legislation designed to protect the mental health of healthcare workers.

Recap: The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation

The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation was established in memory of Dr. Lorna Breen, who tragically took her own life during the pandemic due to fear of losing her medical license after seeking mental health treatment.

Let's explore this issue.

After medical school and residency, doctors must apply for a license to practice, a requirement in every state. Nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers have similar forms when applying to work in hospitals.

Most questions on these forms are straightforward: 'Where did you attend school?' or 'Where did you attend residency?' However, many states and hospitals include a troubling question: 'Have you sought treatment for a mental health condition?'

What…?

Does this mean reporting ADHD medication? Treatment for depression after losing a loved one? Support for an anxiety disorder? These may need to be reported…

'How is this legal?' you may ask. Legal scholars argue that these questions might violate the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Yet, they persist in many states and hospital systems. The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation is working to change this.

We discussed this issue and more in D.C. this week. I was joined by Corey Feist (center), the brother-in-law of Lorna Breen, and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, and Laura Wells (right), a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, who lost a close physician friend to suicide.

Our primary goal was to urge lawmakers to reauthorize and fund the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act. This act, which became law in 2022, aims to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental health conditions among healthcare professionals. It provides funding for mental health education, awareness, and treatment programs for healthcare workers.

An Eye-Opening Experience in D.C.

The experience in D.C. was both amazing, exhausting, and eye-opening. In a whirlwind 48 hours, I got to see the inner workings of politics at the Capitol and meet with members of Congress to discuss the critical importance of reauthorizing this act.

Tremendous Support

I’m thrilled to announce that we were able to gather an incredible 12,806 messages to members of congress in support of the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act. Without a doubt your efforts helped us get our foot in the door to some of these meetings and showed lawmakers just how important this issue is to us.

Thank You!

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to send your representatives an email and support this act. Your efforts are making a significant difference in the lives of healthcare professionals across the country.

If you haven’t had a chance to email your representatives yet, please take the 20-30 seconds to do so by clicking the link below. Please personalize the automatic message too, it really helps!

Let's continue to support mental health and advocate for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

Thank you for standing with us in this vital mission.

Dr. Jake

This Week’s Sources

Disclaimer: These emails do not assume a doctor-patient relationship and my information is not intended to substitute for medical advice. I offer science-backed educational information aimed at empowering you to live your best life. Always consult your personal doctor before starting any treatment. My views and opinions are always my own and do not reflect the views or opinions of my employer. My newsletter will always be free.