H.R. 1667 — what changed

changed Subpart 1 of part E Not later than 2 years after the date of title VII the enactment of this Act, the Public Secretary of Health Service and Human Services (referred to in this Act (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.) is amended by adding at the end as the following:“Secretary”) shall identify and disseminate evidence-based or evidence-informed best practices for preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among health care professionals, and for training health care professionals in appropriate strategies to promote their mental health. Such best practices shall include recommendations related to preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among health care professionals.

removed “764. Behavioral health and well-being training for health care professionals

removed “(a) Grant program—The Secretary shall establish a program to award grants to health professions schools, academic health centers, State or local governments, or other appropriate public or private nonprofit entities for funding and participation in health professions and nursing training activities for the training of health care students, residents, or professionals in evidence-informed strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, behavioral health conditions, including mental health conditions and substance use disorders, among health care professionals, and in evidence-informed strategies to improve health care professionals’ well-being and job satisfaction.

removed “(b) Eligibility—To be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), an entity described in such subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

removed “(c) Reporting requirement—Each entity awarded a grant under this section shall periodically submit to the Secretary a report evaluating the activities supported by the grant.

removed “(d) Best practices—The Secretary may identify and disseminate evidence-informed best practices for reducing and preventing suicide and burnout among health care professionals, and training health care professionals in appropriate strategies and promoting their mental and behavioral health and job satisfaction. Such best practices shall include specific recommendations for reducing and preventing suicide, burnout, and other mental and behavioral health concerns among health care professionals during or in the aftermath of a pandemic, natural disaster, or other crisis.

removed “(e) Authorization of appropriations—To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.”

changed Subpart 1 I of part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. U.S.C.. 294n et seq.), as amended by section 2, seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

changed “764A. Grants for health care providers “764. Programs to promote mental and behavioral health among their the health professional workforce

changed “(a) In general—The Secretary shall award grants to health care providers, including medical professional associations, to establish or expand evidence-informed programs dedicated Programs to promoting promote mental and behavioral health among their employees (including contractors) or members who are working on the front lines of the SARS–CoV–2 pandemic.health care professionals

changed “(b) Use of grant funds—A health care provider awarded a grant under subsection (a) “(1) In general—The Secretary shall use amounts under the grant award grants or contracts to implement a new program health care entities, including entities that provide health care services, such as hospitals, community health centers, and rural health clinics, or protocol to medical professional associations, to establish or expand an existing program enhance evidence-based or protocol evidence-informed programs dedicated to promote improving mental health and behavioral resiliency for health among employees (including contractors) or members who have previously treated or otherwise served, or are currently treating or otherwise serving, patients diagnosed with COVID–19, which may include any of the following:care professionals.

changed “(1) Educating employees, including contractors, or membership about risk factors for and signs “(2) Use of self-harm and suicide and funds—An eligible entity receiving a grant or contract under this subsection shall use funds received through the grant or contract to implement a new program or enhance an existing program to promote mental and behavioral health conditions in accordance with evidence-based practices and standards.among health care professionals, which may include—

changed “(2) Establishing new or enhancing existing evidence-based programs or protocols for preventing mental “(A) improving awareness among health care professionals about risk factors for, and behavioral signs of, suicide and mental health conditions, suicide, or self-harm.substance use disorders, in accordance with evidence-based or evidence-informed practices;

changed “(3) Establishing new “(B) establishing new, or enhancing existing peer-support existing, evidence-based or evidence-informed programs for preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among employees (including contractors) or members.health care professionals;

changed “(4) Mental and behavioral health treatment, follow up services and care, or referral for such services identified as appropriate as a result of the screenings “(C) establishing new, or prevention enhancing existing, peer-support programs and protocol described in paragraphs (1) and (2).among health care professionals; or

changed “(c) Grant Terms—A grant awarded under subsection (a)—“(D) providing mental health care, follow-up services and care, or referral for such services and care, as appropriate.

changed “(1) “(3) Priority—In awarding grants and contracts under this subsection, the Secretary shall be for a period of 3 years; andgive priority to eligible entities in health professional shortage areas or rural areas.

changed “(2) “(b) Training grants—The Secretary may be renewed subject establish a program to award grants to health professions schools, academic health centers, State or local governments, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, or other appropriate public or private nonprofit entities (or consortia of entities, including entities promoting multidisciplinary approaches) to support the requirements training of this section.health care students, residents, or health care professionals in evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies to address mental and substance use disorders and improve mental health and resiliency among health care professionals.

changed “(d) Application submission—A health care provider seeking a “(c) Grant terms—A grant or contract awarded under subsection (a) or (b) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.be for a period of 3 years.

changed “(e) Priority—Priority “(d) Application submission—An entity seeking a grant or contract under subsection (a) or (b) shall be given submit an application to applications from health care providers located in current or former COVID–19 hotspots, as determined by the Secretary or health care providers which have diagnosed or treated a higher share of COVID–19 patients, as determined at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary.Secretary may require.

changed “(f) Reporting—A health care provider “(e) Reporting—An entity awarded a grant or contract under subsection (a) or (b) shall periodically submit to the Secretary a report evaluating the activities supported by the grant.grant or contract.

changed “(g) “(f) Authorization of appropriations—To carry out this section, section and section 5 of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, there is are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 $35,000,000 for the period each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.”

removed Subpart 1 of part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.), as amended by section 4, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

removed “764B. Comprehensive study on health care professional mental and behavioral health and burnout

removed “(a) In general—The Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders, shall conduct a review and submit recommendations to Congress on policies to improve health care professional mental health and prevent burnout.

removed “(b) Considerations—The study under subsection (a) shall focus on identifying—

removed “(1) the factors that contribute to mental and behavioral health conditions and burnout among health care professionals;

removed “(2) the barriers to seeking and accessing mental and behavioral health treatment for health care professionals, including stigma and concerns about licensing and credentialing;

removed “(3) the implications of poor mental and behavioral health and burnout among health care professionals for the health care system, the health care workforce, and patient outcomes;

removed “(4) the impact of the SARS–CoV–2 pandemic on the mental and behavioral health of health care professionals and related preparedness strategies for future health emergencies;

removed “(5) the factors that promote mental and behavioral health and resiliency among health care professionals, including programs or protocols that strengthen mental and behavioral health or prevent burnout among health care professionals; and

removed “(6) the efficacy of health professional training programs that promote resiliency and improve mental health.

removed “(c) Recommendations—The study required under subsection (a) shall include recommendations related to—

removed “(1) improving mental and behavioral health and preventing burnout among health care professionals;

removed “(2) removing barriers to mental and behavioral health care for health care professionals; and

removed “(3) strategies to promote resiliency among health care professionals and other employees and contractors in health care settings.

removed “(d) Completion—The Secretary shall ensure that the study under subsection (a) is completed and submitted to Congress and made publicly available not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section.

removed “(e) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.”