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Long COVID RECOVERY NOW Act
1/26/2024, 8:15 AM
Summary of Bill HR 1114
The bill aims to provide funding for research into the causes and treatments of long COVID, as well as to establish programs to support individuals who are experiencing long-term symptoms. This includes funding for healthcare providers to better understand and treat long COVID, as well as resources for individuals to access care and support services.
Additionally, the Long COVID RECOVERY NOW Act seeks to improve data collection and reporting on long COVID cases, in order to better understand the scope of the issue and develop effective strategies for addressing it. 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 Long COVID RECOVERY NOW Act is aimed at providing support and resources for individuals who are struggling with the long-term effects of COVID-19, and at advancing research and understanding of this complex and challenging condition.
Congressional Summary of HR 1114
Long COVID Response is Care Optimized and Vitally Essential Resources that Yield New Opportunities for Wellness Act or the Long COVID RECOVERY NOW Act
This bill establishes grants and requires actions to support treatment, research, and other efforts to address Long COVID (persistent, long-term symptoms following recovery from acute COVID-19 infection).
Specifically, the bill establishes grants for treating individuals with Long COVID. These include grants for
- certain health clinics and primary care providers to treat patients, including by addressing food insecurity and other social needs that could interfere with treatment;
- health care providers or public health departments to set up or expand specialized clinics or programs using a multidisciplinary approach; and
- primary care providers to support the development of evidence and other resources related to treatments.
The bill also establishes grants for Long COVID patient registries and research on Long COVID in pediatric populations.
Additionally, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology must convene stakeholders to identify best practices to make de-identified data related to Long COVID available to researchers. The office must also recommend policies for data standardization and related approaches to further a greater understanding of Long COVID.
Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must (1) set up a website to educate health care providers and the public about Long COVID, and (2) issue guidance on ways to assist individuals with Long COVID through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The bill also expands access for treating Long COVID through Medicaid, CHIP, and the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant.
