SHM Supports the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act
July 01, 2020
SHM's Policy Efforts
SHM supports legislation that affects hospital medicine and general healthcare, advocating for hospitalists and the patients they serve.
The Honorable Raja Krishnamoorthi
United States House of Representatives
115 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable John Katko
United States House of Representatives
2457 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Frederica Wilson
United States House of Representatives
2445 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representatives Krishnamoorthi, Katko, and Wilson,
The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), representing the nation’s hospitalists, is pleased to support the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act (H.R. 7255). This bipartisan legislation will issue grants to support the mental health and wellness of frontline healthcare workers. Additionally, this bill will provide grant funding to research related to provider wellbeing and mental health during COVID-19.
Hospitalists are front-line clinicians in America’s acute care hospitals and focus on the general medical care of hospitalized patients. As a result, our members have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic caring for patients. In addition to the physical health risks, hospitalists face significant mental and emotional stress when caring for COVID patients. In addition to working exceedingly long hours due to provider shortages, many hospitalists are now facing the loss of several patients in a single shift. While the loss of a single patient under ordinary circumstances is difficult, this scale of loss takes a significant mental and emotional toll on those whose primary professional and personal goals are to help and heal people.
As the United States continues to face unprecedented challenges during the COVID- 19 pandemic, this legislation will help provide mental health support to the providers who tirelessly risk their physical and emotional wellbeing to care for patients. SHM is pleased to offer our support of the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act and stands ready to work alongside you to advocate for its passage.
Sincerely,
Danielle Scheurer, MD, MSCR, SFHM President, Society of Hospital Medicine