Senate Committee Discusses Healthcare Worker Mental Health

April 7, 2022

A bill appropriating funding for mental health programs, mostly through social service grants, was heard in the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee earlier this week. 

The bill (SF3249, Sen. Rich Draheim, R-Madison Lake) primarily funds school-linked mental health and shelter linked youth mental health grants. Minnesota entities providing social services would be the primary recipients for many of these funds. The bill also contains sustained funding for mental health provider loan forgiveness. In total, the bill allocates $22 million in 2022 and 2023, and $53.5 million in 2024 and 2025.  

In discussion on the bill, Sen. Matt Klein, MD, (DFL-Mendota Heights) offered an amendment to allocate $1 million from the state’s general fund to develop and implement an education and awareness initiative to address healthcare professional mental health and well-being. Specifically, the amendment sought to address the growing mental health concerns experienced by physicians and other healthcare professionals. 

As a physician, Klein noted that doctors are experiencing not only burnout, early retirement, and workforce shortages, but increased violence, hostility, and rates of suicide. 

The amendment was withdrawn after the committee indicated it would not include it in the bill. Sens. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) agreed on the importance of this issue but did not think the amendment belonged in the bill. Benson referenced her work with Sen. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) on SF3837, a bill to help retain medical staff who have undergone increased stress through peer-to-peer mental health support. She indicated her willingness to work with Klein to include his amendment in that legislation.