House approves measure to let health workers seek out-of-facility behavioral treatment to reduce stigma

The Utah House unanimously passed HB278 on Feb. 23, a bill intended to expand options for health care workers seeking behavioral health treatment by allowing a single-case agreement that would let them receive care outside their employing facility when that option is part of their benefit package.

Representative Eliason, sponsor of the substitute, said the bill was motivated in part by the death of Dr. Scott Jolley and national reporting on physician suicide. "This bill ... offers additional flexibility for a healthcare worker that is suffering from a mental health condition and wants to get treatment, but would prefer to get treatment outside their facility," Eliason said on the floor, calling it a narrowly crafted measure worked on with insurers and health associations.

Support from medical and hospital organizations was cited on the floor; Representative Lesser and others recognized the bill as a modest step that could reduce stigma and make it easier for clinicians to seek help. Representative Lesser introduced Dr. Jolley’s wife, who the sponsor and colleagues thanked for her advocacy.

The House adopted the first substitute and reported a passage of 72 yes, 0 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

Next steps: sponsors indicated insurers and provider groups cooperated in developing the single-case agreement approach; implementation will depend on insurer procedures and any guidance developed after enactment.