As a result of the pandemic, millions of people who had COVID-19 are now suffering with lingering symptoms ranging from extreme fatigue, cognitive dysfunction known as brain fog, and gastrointestinal issues to breathing difficulties, to trouble sleeping and rapid heartbeat. Those living with long COVID may soon be closer to relief, however, thanks to several U.S. policymakers who have introduced a first-of-its-kind bill that would expand the reach of long COVID clinics and healthcare provider resources.

‘TREAT Long COVID’

U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) recently announced their new legislative proposal Targeting Resources for Equitable Access to Treatment for Long COVID, or TREAT Long COVID, Act. The bill, which will especially help communities of color and other underserved populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19, was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At Large).

The growing population of people with long COVID currently has limited treatment options, limited access to the treatments available, and little federal support, leaving patients with greater physical and psychological stress, job, and school disruption, and overall reduced quality of life. TREAT Long COVID will provide dedicated grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to community health centers, rural health clinics, Indian Health Service, and state and local public health departments, so healthcare providers can treat long COVID patients in their own communities.

The new bill comes on the heels of the Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act introduced in March 2022, which aims to support long COVID research and provide patient resources, and from which a key provision has already passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee.

How Will the Bill Expand Treatment?

TREAT Long COVID would expand long COVID treatment options in the U.S. by:

• Awarding grants up to $2 million to healthcare providers
• Funding creation and expansion of comprehensive long COVID clinics that meet both the physical and mental health needs of patients
• Emphasizing funding for providers who serve populations that are medically overlooked and/or especially impacted by COVID-19
• Guaranteeing treatment regardless of insurance coverage, time and method of diagnosis, and hospitalization history
• Promoting ongoing clinician training in long COVID
• Mandating that yearly reports from awardees include patient evaluations

The bill has the full endorsement of numerous long COVID organizations, such as the COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project, Body Politic, Patient-Led Research Collaborative, and National Health Council.

Ensuring ‘No One Is Left Behind’

The legislators are enthusiastic about their bill. Senator Kaine, who himself has long COVID, notes that speaking with both constituents living with the disease and with medical providers confirms the need for action. Senator Markey explains that, as with COVID-19, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating long COVID. If passed into law, the new bill would expand access to multidisciplinary, patient-centered disease care.

According to Senator Duckworth, the bill promotes an holistic treatment approach that “would help all those living with long COVID gain better access to medical care and treatment options in their communities, so we can help save lives and make sure no one is left behind on the road to recovery.”

*Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. (2022, April 12). Kaine, Duckworth, Markey Introduce Treat Long COVID Act to Expand Access to Treatment [Press release]. https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-duckworth-markey-introduce-treat-long-covid-act-to-expand-access-to-treatment