CARE for Long COVID Act

Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education for Long COVID Act or the CARE for Long COVID Act

This bill requires research, education, and other activities to support individuals who have Long COVID or related conditions that may result directly, or indirectly, from COVID-19 infection.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must support a voluntary patient registry to collect information about individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, such as their symptoms, treatments, and demographic characteristics. HHS must coordinate with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute on the registry.

HHS must also conduct or support research along with other agencies on how the U.S. health care system responds to Long COVID and related conditions. This includes research on the effectiveness of treatments and strategies to mitigate disparities in health outcomes.

In addition, HHS must (1) educate the public and health care providers about treatments for, conditions associated with, and other aspects of Long COVID and related conditions; and (2) disseminate information and resources on how Long COVID affects rights associated with employment, disability status, and education.

Last, the Administration for Community Living must award grants to or enter contracts with states, health care providers, legal services providers, and other eligible entities for expanding access to legal assistance for individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, including assistance with obtaining Social Security and other benefits and accessing medical care and services.

The CARE for Long COVID Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 1616, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at addressing the long-term health effects of COVID-19, also known as "long COVID." The bill seeks to provide funding for research, education, and support services for individuals who continue to experience symptoms of COVID-19 long after their initial infection.

Specifically, the CARE for Long COVID Act would allocate funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct research on the long-term health effects of COVID-19 and develop guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of long COVID. The bill also calls for the creation of a public awareness campaign to educate healthcare providers and the general public about the symptoms and treatment options for long COVID.

In addition, the CARE for Long COVID Act would establish a grant program to support community-based organizations in providing support services for individuals with long COVID, such as mental health counseling, physical therapy, and other forms of rehabilitation. The bill also includes provisions to ensure that individuals with long COVID are not discriminated against in the workplace or denied access to healthcare services. Overall, the CARE for Long COVID Act aims to address the growing public health crisis of long COVID by providing resources and support for individuals who continue to suffer from the effects of the virus long after their initial infection.