Marshall & Kaine Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing March 18 as Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution designating March 18, 2024 as Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness. The date was selected to coincide with the day that the senators’ bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Act was signed into law by President Biden in 2022.

“As a physician myself for over 25 years, I know how dedicated our health care workers are to serving their patients around the clock,” Senator Marshall said. “This job is not easy and requires strenuous hours and hard work, with immense stress and pressure; today, I’m proud to introduce our bipartisan resolution that designates March 18th as the Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness. Honoring, supporting and taking time to recognize the challenges our health care professionals face is critical in providing every patient with excellent care.” 

 “Our health care providers protect our health and well-being every day, often at the expense of their own. My Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act is making strides to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. I was proud to introduce a bill to reauthorize the law—but there’s more we can do to raise awareness,” Senator Kaine said. “Designating March 18 as Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness would help reduce stigma, advance research, and ensure providers can get the care they need.”

The resolution was cosponsored by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Krysten Sinema (I-AZ), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

“We are deeply thankful to Senators Kaine and Marshall and all supporting organizations for establishing Health Workforce Well-Being Day, coinciding with the anniversary of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act’s enactment,” said Corey Feist, JD, MBA, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. “Acknowledging the pressures health workers face and making their well-being a priority is essential – and our solutions must move far beyond individual resilience. It is vital that we drive evidence-informed, systems level solutions to reduce and prevent burnout, sustain well-being and build a system where health workers can thrive. This not only benefits the healthcare workforce but also improves patient care and contributes to the overall health of our communities.”

“The wellbeing of our nation’s health care providers is essential, and I’m proud to support the Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness on March 18,” said Nancy Howell Agee, CEO of Carilion Clinic and past chair of the American Hospital Association. “Thank you to Senators Kaine, Marshall, Reed, Capito, Stabenow, Collins, Klobuchar, Smith, and King for continuing to shine a light on the needs of those who dedicate their lives to caring for their neighbors.” 

A full list of supporting organizations and quotes is available here.

Full text of the resolution is available here.