the new healer feat let's you reroll +1s in addition to the first effect, the first effect isn't limited to once per long rest. So essentially, you can use the heal a number of times per day, equal to the players level (how many die they have)

so, old heal was 6-30 hp once per day, new heal is 6-(20*d8+20*proficiency bonus per day or 200hp) per day

but let's say you don't want to count their healing die, since before they could use it themselves. but if you do it, you add proficiency bonus per die use, and reroll 1s on their proficiency die.

with 20 die, and 6 proficiency, thats a difference of at least 120 more healing. and it makes hit die more generally useful, and not requiring short rests.

for the alert mechanic, you can effectively always go first due to the swap mechanic. Immersion wise the swap could represent you being alert to your fellow players reactions, not just the enemy 'alert bard notices the thief turn his head, and acts instead of him, or you rouse some one who wouldn't have been paying attention.

its a straight up better feat at controlling the parties initiative, or going first.