[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 146 (Tuesday, August 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50159-50160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16251]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Establishment of the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority Part A, Office of the Secretary, Statement of Organization, 
Function, and Delegation of Authority for the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) is being amended at Chapter AC, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), as last amended June 1, 2022. 
This notice establishes the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice 
in OASH.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The April 5, 2022, Presidential Memorandum 
(at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/04/05/memorandum-on-addressing-the-long-term-effects-of-covid-19/) on 
Addressing the Long-term Effects of COVID-19 charged the Secretary of 
the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) with 
coordinating a government-wide response to the longer-term effects of 
COVID-19 and associated conditions. The Secretary in turn directed the 
Assistant Secretary for Health to serve as the Long COVID Coordinator. 
The Memorandum specified development and publication of two reports. 
The two reports were drafted under the leadership of OASH and with the 
input of 14 federal agencies and published on August 3, 2022. One of 
the reports, the National Research Action Plan on Long COVID (at 
https://www.covid.gov/assets/files/National-Research-Action-Plan-on-Long-COVID-08012022.pdf), called for the establishment of the Office of 
Long COVID Research and Practice (the ``Office,'' abbreviated as OLC) 
given the widespread effects of Long COVID. The Office will be charged 
with the implementation of the National Research Action Plan on Long 
COVID (https://www.covid.gov/assets/files/National-Research-Action-Plan-on-Long-COVID-08012022.pdf), promotion of the Services and 
Supports for Longer-Term Impacts of COVID-19 (https://www.covid.gov/assets/files/Services-and-Supports-for-Longer-Term-Impacts-of-COVID-19-08012022.pdf), and coordinating the whole-of-government response to the 
longer-term effects of COVID-19, including Long COVID and associated 
conditions. Currently 14 federal departments engage on Long COVID, 
including over a dozen HHS Operating and Staff Divisions. The 
coordination by the Office will strengthen current work and identify 
and fill needs in areas such as clinical guidance, partner engagement, 
public education and communications, and services and supports.
    Specifically, the changes to Part A, Chapter AC are as follows:
    A. Under Part A, Chapter AC, under Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Health, add the following:
    1. The Office of Long COVID Research and Practice (OLC) is headed 
by a Director, who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health.

[[Page 50160]]

    2. OLC will focus on
     Leading government-wide coordination of Long COVID 
strategy, planning, and activities to address the consequences of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, integrated into the HHS mission to improve health in 
disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations across the nation.
     Supporting senior leadership at OASH and HHS on Long 
COVID.
     Developing implementation plans on Long COVID to drive 
strategy and communicate to the public.
     Establish, support, and manage a Federal Advisory 
Committee on Long COVID and associated conditions to facilitate 
perspectives from outside the government to inform federal actions.
     Providing expertise and support to federal agencies 
related to Long COVID deliverables and activities.

Xavier Becerra,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-16251 Filed 7-31-23; 8:45 am]
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