Washington (August 2, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommitte on Primary Health and Retirement Security joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the HELP Committee, today in introducing legislation to address the long COVID crisis that is affecting more than 22 million adults and 1 million children across the United States – and millions more around the globe. The Long COVID Research Moonshot Act of 2024 provides $1 billion in mandatory funding per year for 10 years to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support long COVID research, the urgent pursuit of treatments, and the expansion of care for patients across the country.
Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) cosponsored the legislation.
“For far too long, millions of Americans suffering from long COVID have had their symptoms dismissed or ignored – by the medical community, by the media, and by Congress,” said Chair Sanders. “That is unacceptable and has got to change. The legislation that we have introduced finally recognizes that long COVID is a public health emergency and provides an historic investment into research, development, and education needed to counter the effects of this terrible disease. Congress must act now to ensure treatments are developed and made available for Americans struggling with long COVID. Yes. It is time for a Long Covid Moonshot.”
While millions of adults and children are already living with long COVID, these cases are on the rise as symptoms can impact anyone who has been previously exposed to COVID-19 – regardless of age or severity of the initial infection. Symptoms can include fatigue, cognitive impairment (commonly referred to as brain fog), muscle or joint pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sleep difficulties, mood changes, and more. For many, these symptoms have interfered with child care, exercise, the ability to work, and social activities – disruptions that can also impact mental health.
Estimates show that 2 to 4 million Americans are out of work due to long COVID. For many, the change in job status can also affect health insurance, further complicating treatment options.
The Long COVID Research Moonshot Act would establish a new research program within the NIH to better understand, prevent, diagnose, manage, and treat long COVID and related conditions. The legislation would also:
This legislation is endorsed by more than 45 organizations, including: Mount Sinai Health System, Infectious Diseases Society of America, National Partnership for Women and Families, Solve M.E., Long COVID Alliance, #MEAction, Body Politic, Patient-Led Research Collaborative, COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project, and Marked by COVID.
Read the bill text, here.
Read the summary, here.
Read the section-by-section, here.
In April 2024, Senators Markey, Duckworth, and Kaine led their colleagues in writing to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging the committee to fund over $1 billion in Long COVID research. In March 2024, Senator Markey celebrated $13.5 million in appropriations to support Long COVID Centers of Excellence, Long COVID surveillance, and community outreach. In January 2024, Senator Markey advocated for coordinated research at the National Institutes of Health for infection-associated chronic conditions and illnesses, including Long COVID. Last year, Senator Markey . In 2023, Senators Markey, Kaine and Duckworth re-introduced the Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act, legislation to help Long COVID patients access vital resources and to improve research. In 2022, Senators Markey, Duckworth and Kaine introduced the Targeting Resources for Equitable Access to Treatment for Long COVID (TREAT Long COVID Act), legislation to fund the expansion of Long COVID clinics.
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