Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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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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