Overview
Title
To reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 929 is a plan to help doctors and nurses feel better and happier by continuing special programs that teach them about mental health and make their jobs a bit easier. It wants to make sure these helpful programs don't stop for a few years and tries to make their work less complicated, even though it doesn't say exactly how.
Summary AI
H.R. 929 proposes the reauthorization of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, aiming to support mental health services among healthcare professionals. It seeks to continue education and awareness initiatives by extending certain program timelines from 2026 through 2030, promoting mental health support within the health workforce. The bill also introduces measures to reduce administrative burdens on healthcare workers to further support their well-being.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, known as H.R. 929, seeks to renew efforts initially established to support mental health and reduce the administrative burdens on healthcare professionals. This reauthorization bill prompts annual reports on initiatives to encourage the use of mental health and substance use disorder services among healthcare providers, extending these efforts to cover the years 2026 to 2030. The bill also amends existing laws to broaden the scope of eligible entities that can participate in these initiatives, specifically highlighting those that focus on reducing administrative workloads for healthcare workers.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the primary issues with the bill is the unclear gap between 2024 and 2026, wherein there might be no mandated activities related to promoting mental health services among health care professionals. This gap raises concerns about the continuity of support and services that could impact healthcare workers relying on these initiatives. Another issue is the vagueness regarding how the bill plans to reduce the administrative burden on healthcare workers. Without clear methodology or strategies, there is a risk of ineffective implementation. The reference to multiple sections of the Public Health Service Act with the same numerical designation also adds potential for confusion, necessitating clarity for proper execution. Lastly, the criteria for what constitutes an "eligible entity" to participate in these programs are not well-defined, which could lead to a lack of transparency and fairness in the program’s selection process.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, the bill's primary goal is to improve mental health support for healthcare professionals, a motivating factor likely to be well-received by the public. Since healthcare workers play a crucial role in public health, supporting their mental wellness is critical. However, if the implementation suffers from gaps or vague provisions, the potential benefits might not fully materialize, leaving healthcare workers without the anticipated support during the interim period.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For healthcare professionals, this bill could provide vital resources and support systems that directly impact their well-being, reducing workplace stress and improving overall job satisfaction. However, the areas of ambiguity around program continuity and specific implementation strategies could undermine these benefits. Organizations responsible for executing these programs might face challenges due to unclear guidelines on eligibility and program structure, potentially impeding effective delivery. Moreover, policymakers and healthcare administrators may need to address these concerns to avoid confusion and ensure that the bill's goals are met effectively and efficiently.
Issues
The amendment to extend the education and awareness initiative from '2022 through 2024' to '2026 through 2030' (Section 2) leaves a gap between 2024 and 2026, raising concerns about the continuity and potential disruption of mental health services for health care professionals.
The amendment in Section 3 focuses on reducing the administrative burden for health care workers without providing specific methods or strategies for achieving this goal, resulting in vague and potentially ineffective legislation.
Section 3 references 'the second section 764' of the Public Health Service Act, which may cause confusion due to multiple sections having the same number, requiring further clarification for accurate implementation and understanding.
The criteria for 'eligible entities' in Section 3 are not clearly defined beyond geographic location and a focus on reducing administrative burdens, limiting transparency and accountability in the selection process.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states that it is officially titled the “Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act”.
2. Education and awareness initiative encouraging use of mental health and substance use disorder services by health care professionals Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act is being updated to require annual reports about encouraging mental health and substance use services for health care professionals, and to extend the timeframe for certain activities from 2026 to 2030.
3. Programs to promote mental health among the health professional workforce Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This bill section amends a part of the Public Health Service Act by renaming section 764 to 764A and expanding eligibility for certain programs to entities that either operate in specific regions or focus on reducing administrative burdens on healthcare workers. It also adjusts the funding period for these programs from 2022–2024 to 2026–2030.