Congress spending and COVID relief bill included a $3M cut to programs for healthcare workers mental illnesses Meaghan Ellis
According to the Beast, Congress managed to cancel out $3 million worth of funding for The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. The bill, introduced earlier this year, was named after Dr. Breen who tragically took her own life. The bill is titled The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, named after Lorna Breen, a tragic example of the pandemic s toll on such workers. A longtime New York City emergency room doctor, Breen died by suicide in April as the virus surged in the city and overwhelmed doctors and nurses treating the sick and dying. As the pandemic has dragged on nationally, it has brought physician wellness to a crisis point.
By LUANNE RIFE
The Roanoke Times
Nurses and doctors who care for Virginiaâs critically ill and dying COVID-19 patients told Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., on Monday that they support his efforts to bring mental health reform to the nationâs health care workforce.
Kaine invited them to a Zoom meeting before heading into a week of congressional negotiations to push for passage of both a COVID-19 relief bill and passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act.
Breen, a native of Virginia, was director of a Manhattan emergency room and worked around the clock during the spring peak of cases in New York. She was infected with the disease and continued to work nonstop, with limited PPE, not enough staff or equipment and while patients died in the waiting room and hallways.
Nurses and doctors tell Sen Tim Kaine they need help richmond.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from richmond.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Virginia doctors, nurses share âunrelenting mental tollâ of COVID-19
Virginiaâs healthcare workers have witnessed firsthand the atrocities and hardships faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
and last updated 2020-12-14 18:24:13-05
RICHMOND, Va., â Virginiaâs healthcare workers have witnessed firsthand the atrocities and hardships faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About a dozen frontline workers across the Commonwealth opened up to Sen. Tim Kaine (D - Virginia) during a virtual discussion on Monday.
âWe got to pay attention to the mental health needs of our medical workers,â Sen. Kaine said. âLong after the pandemic is over the mental health consequence is going to go on for a very long time.â