[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. Markey, and Ms. Duckworth):
  S. 3726. A bill to address research on, and improve access to, 
supportive services for individuals with long COVID; to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, some studies have shown that upwards of 50 
percent of people who have had COVID-19 will experience some form of 
post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection PASC, 6 months after 
infection, including neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, and 
mental health symptoms. To date, there have been over 78 million cases 
of COVID-19 in the United State and an untold number who were infected 
but did not have access to testing to confirm their diagnosis. PASC, 
commonly known as long COVID, is a growing public health crisis in this 
country. I myself have experienced these symptoms and know firsthand 
the importance of increasing our understanding of the causes and 
possible treatments for long COVID. Given the disproportionate impact 
of COVID-19 on communities of color, persons with disabilities, 
seniors, and first responders, we must ensure that there is equity in 
our work to address the needs of individuals with long COVID.
  That is why Senators Markey, Duckworth, and I are introducing the 
Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education for Long COVID Act, or 
the CARE for Long COVID Act, legislation that would expand our 
knowledge of the symptoms of long COVID, barriers to care, and 
disparities in diagnosis and treatment. This bill would synthesize data 
on patients' experience with long COVID, compiling information crucial 
for further research and improved policy and treatment. Additionally, 
this bill would encourage research and recommendations around the 
health system's response to long COVID, with an emphasis on reducing 
disparities in communities that have experienced disproportionate harm 
during the pandemic. To ensure actionable research, this bill would 
require dissemination of findings to healthcare providers, patients, 
Federal Agencies, and other key stakeholders in a manner that is 
accessible.
  This bill would also ensure that adults and children with long COVID 
have the resources they need to navigate workplaces and schools, 
building on efforts by the Biden administration to recognize long COVID 
as a disability. Specifically, this bill would facilitate interagency 
coordination to educate the public on the impact of long COVID and the 
rights associated with employment, disability status, and education for 
individuals with long COVID. To ensure that individuals with long COVID 
can access existing resources, this bill would fund grants for medical-
legal partnerships and other collaborations between healthcare 
providers, community-based organizations, and legal services. 
Recipients would be able to use grant funds to support cooperative 
efforts, provide technical assistance, or hire staff in order to help 
individuals with long COVID access healthcare, social services, or 
legal services.
  Robust response to the long COVID crisis will continue our efforts to 
address the equity and well-being of historically marginalized 
communities. We cannot afford to let the needs of individuals with long 
COVID go unmet any longer. I urge my colleagues to support the passage 
of the CARE for Long COVID Act so that we can take necessary steps 
towards meeting the needs of diverse communities with long COVID.

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