Congressman Krishnamoorthi Hosts Press Conference With Cook County Board President Preckwinkle, Frontline Nurses and Doctors On $103 Million in Funding He Helped Secure For Health Care Worker Mental Health Programs

SCHAUMBURG, IL — On Thursday, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi hosted a press conference to discuss the $103 million in funding that he and his congressional colleagues secured in President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan (ARP) to establish health care worker mental health support and training programs. The ARP provisions that Congressman Krishnamoorthi championed on behalf of health care workers were based on provisions in the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, legislation which the Congressman is co-leading in the House of Representatives.

"Today, I was honored to stand beside healthcare workers at Cook County Health's Stroger Hospital, which has been caring for COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic, and to report that the U.S. Congress has delivered much-needed support to them during this challenging time," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. "As the husband of a physician who has spent months working on the front lines during this pandemic, I'm deeply aware of the burden the last year and half has placed on our health care workers and of its mental toll in particular. The $103 million now available to promote resiliency and wellness among health care professionals will help ensure that those who have borne so much of the burden of this pandemic have the support they need. These grants will help prevent suicide, burnout, and substance use disorders among healthcare professionals who are struggling as well as encourage healthcare workers to seek mental health support. I'm proud that I was able to push these provisions through in the American Rescue Plan to establish these new grant programs and help local practitioners like those at Stroger. By providing mental health services to doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff, we can make sure that they are taken care of the same way they took care of us."

The Health Resources and Services Administration is accepting applications for three new grant programs through September 20^th, 2021. Congressman Krishnamoorthi strongly encourages eligible entities to apply.

• Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program (HRSA-22-109)
• Promoting Resilience and Mental Health Among Health Professional Workforce (HRSA-22-110
• Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center (HRSA-22-111)