Senator Kaine is leading the way on two health-focused bills that were passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee. The first bill, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, aims to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among healthcare professionals. This bill is named after a Charlottesville doctor who tragically took her own life after years of caring for others.
The second bill is the Bold Act, which allocates funding for public health initiatives to combat Alzheimer’s disease. Senator Kaine emphasized the importance of equipping health departments at the state, county, and city levels to better manage the realities of Alzheimer’s. This includes understanding the causes and treatments, as well as providing support for caregivers.
In addition to these two bills, Senator Kaine also highlighted the reauthorization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which would receive $33 million per year over the next five years to support partners like the Virginia Health Department. This funding is critical in addressing Alzheimer’s disease by enabling agencies to better respond to its challenges and provide vital support to those affected by it. Senator Kaine emphasized that information exchange, research, and caregiver support are all essential components in combating this devastating disease.
