Bill Overview
Title: TREAT Long COVID Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to create or expand the capacity of clinics that treat patients with persistent, long-term symptoms following recovery from acute COVID-19 (i.e., Long COVID). Eligible recipients include federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, urban Indian health centers, and state and local health departments.
Sponsors: Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
Target Audience
Population: People experiencing Long COVID symptoms worldwide
Estimated Size: 15000000
- Long COVID is a condition affecting individuals who have recovered from the acute phase of COVID-19 but still experience persistent symptoms.
- According to the World Health Organization, about 10-20% of people who have had COVID-19 experience medium- to long-term effects after recovering from the initial infection.
- Globally, considering over 600 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, this potentially affects between 60 million to 120 million people.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a population that suffers from Long COVID symptoms, who are dispersed throughout various demographics and geographies in the U.S.
- Approximately 15 million Americans could potentially benefit from increased access to targeted healthcare for Long COVID.
- Given the budget constraints, initial rollout would prioritize high-density areas with significant under-served populations to maximize access efficiency.
- Grants to urban Indian health centers and rural clinics are particularly important as these areas might have fewer existing resources and higher barriers to care.
- Not every individual with Long COVID will be immediately impacted by this policy due to possible limitations in geographic coverage and clinic capacity.
- The level of impact depends on proximity to a funded facility, severity of symptoms, and current access to resources.
Simulated Interviews
freelance writer (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy can bring more attention and research into Long COVID treatment.
- Access to a specialized clinic would be a relief as current general practitioner options seem insufficient for my condition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
high school teacher (Boise, ID)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living in a rural area with limited resources has been tough, hopeful that the policy supports local clinics.
- I just want some relief that feels accessible without needing long drives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
retired nurse (New York City, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Urban resources are helpful but specialized clinics would reduce strain and waiting times.
- The policy should ensure affordable access, especially for retirees like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
software engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial for the tech community which is already stretched thin with workload and mental health pressures.
- Specialized treatment could focus more on mental health aspects, which are often overlooked.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
construction worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a manual laborer, managing my energy levels has been very challenging.
- I need more than temporary remedies, long-term solutions are important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to better healthcare means a more active lifestyle for me despite my age.
- Such policies should give priority to the elderly and those with reduced mobility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
college student (Austin, TX)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ability to access localized care would lessen my anxiety about the future.
- As a student, I need to ensure my education isn't further disrupted.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Farm owner (Rural Colorado)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grants for rural clinics would be a lifeline for my community.
- Access to healthcare shouldn't be about where you live.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
small business owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Running a business now requires so much more energy, and healthcare support means being able to keep going.
- I hope small businesses are considered in policy rollouts as our staff often faces similar challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
barista (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being uninsured makes access challenging; a policy creating clinics could be life-changing for low-wage workers.
- A specialized clinic could offer not just treatment but hope for recovery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000000 (Low: $2100000000, High: $2800000000)
Year 2: $2550000000 (Low: $2150000000, High: $2850000000)
Year 3: $2600000000 (Low: $2200000000, High: $2900000000)
Year 5: $2700000000 (Low: $2300000000, High: $3000000000)
Year 10: $-1 (Low: $-1, High: $-1)
Year 100: $-1 (Low: $-1, High: $-1)
Key Considerations
- The actual number of individuals seeking treatment can vary widely, affecting capacity needs.
- Long COVID's clinical understanding is still evolving, which might change treatment protocols and costs.
- Coordination with existing healthcare initiatives is essential to maximize efficiency.