ACEP-Supported Mental Health Bill Introduced in Congress

Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate would reauthorize funding for the law named in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency physician who died by suicide during the pandemic. ACEP was instrumental in the drafting and 2022 passage of this law, which has since provided $100 million for physician and care team mental health care.

“With strong ACEP support, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act became the first federal law focused on addressing the barriers preventing physicians and health care workers from receiving mental health care,” said ACEP President Alison Haddock, MD, FACEP. “Emergency physicians face the highest rates of stress and burnout in medicine and there’s no question, this law is saving lives and protecting livelihoods.”

ACEP will continue working to restore physician autonomy and address the underlying issues fueling burnout. The College is committed to ensuring that physicians and health care workers have access to the mental health treatment and support services they need and deserve. If passed, the “Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act” would reauthorize the law for five years, providing grants for health care organizations, associations, schools and others to prioritize strategies to reduce burnout, peer-support programs, suicide prevention training, and mental and behavioral health treatment.

The bill, S. 266, also includes reauthorization for a national evidence-based education campaign.

ACEP is grateful to Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), and allies across the country for prioritizing the mental health of the professionals on the frontlines.

“We fully endorse the reauthorization of this vital law honoring of the life and legacy of our emergency medicine colleague and strongly encourage its prompt passage,” said Dr. Haddock.

Ohio ACEP‘s Government Affairs Chair, Dr. RJ Sontag, Workplace Violence Workgroup Chair, Dr. Nicole Veitinger, Executive Director Holly Dorr, and lobbyist Amanda Sines attend Governor DeWine’s signing ceremony for H.B. 452, the Healthcare Workplace Safety Bill. (Click to enlarge).

Ohio ACEP is Protecting Emergency Physicians from Violence

A new Ohio law will help protect the state’s emergency physicians and health care workers from violence.

Ohio ACEP advocacy supported the effort from start to finish. The new law aims to prevent hospital violence, enhance training, improve incident tracking and reporting, and strengthen security plans. In passionate testimony, Ohio ACEP leaders explained why laws that strengthen protections for physicians and care teams are vital. They cited data from a 2024 ACEP member poll to emphasize that physical and verbal assaults are common across the country.

“Physical violence, intimidation, and threats are not accepted in any other workplace, and they should not be allowed or tolerated in a health care setting,” said Ohio Past President Nicole Veitinger, DO, FACEP.

Additional comments from RJ Sontag, MD, FACEP, emphasized that emergency physicians must be able to concentrate on treating patients, without fearing for their personal safety.

“Emergency physicians and their care teams deserve a support system that prevents these incidents and protects us when they occur,” said Dr. Sontag. “We need to bring awareness about these incidents to slow down the acceleration of violence in health care. Emergency departments should be a safe space where patients are guaranteed they have the full attention and dedication of their care team to treat their ailments.”

What’s the latest in your state? Check out ACEP’s State Legislative Dashboard here.

In Other News…

• Join ACEP Council Speaker Melissa W. Costello, MD, FACEP, and ACEP Council Vice Speaker Michael J. McCrea, MD, FACEP, next week to learn about how the ACEP Council works and how even a single member can make a big impact on the policy and direction of the College. The ACEP Council is a deliberative body that meets once a year for two days in conjunction with the College’s annual Scientific Assembly. The Council votes on resolutions that guide the activities of the College. Learn how to craft your resolution and weigh in on the pressing issues in emergency medicine. This free virtual event is set for 2 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, April 10.
• There’s still time to register for ACEP’s Leadership and Advocacy Conference. Both chambers are expected to be in session April 27-29 when ACEP members and volunteers learn crucial leadership skills and advocate for the specialty. Don’t miss your chance to make a positive impact on your practice and your patients.