Thread by @patientled

Today, we are thrilled to see the introduction of The Long COVID Research Moonshot Act by Senator Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders), co-sponsored by Senators @SenTimKaine, @SenDuckworth, @SenMarkey, @SenPeterWelch, and @SenTinaSmith!



#LongCovid 1/sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/upl…

9 months ago, our co-founder Lisa McCorkell (@LisaAMcCorkell) & Long COVID researcher Michael Peluso (@MichaelPelusoMD) called for a Moonshot for Long Covid - an investment of at least $1 billion yearly for 10 years into Long Covid research. 2/

#LongCovidnature.com/articles/d4158…

The Act is a historic piece of legislation. It includes $1 billion/yr for 10 years to NIH to establish & run a #LongCovid Research Program, led by a Director with expertise in Long COVID. Clinical trials & the development of new interventions would be prioritized & expedited. 3/

In addition, the bill includes:

$32 million/year for 10 years for surveillance on #LongCovid and other IACCs

$45 million/year for 10 years for grants to state, local, & tribal health departments

$21.5 million/year for 5 years for a national public education campaign... 4/

$3 million/year for 10 years to HHS for medical provider education

$10 million/year for the next 5 years to the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, & Rehabilitation Research for applied research on #LongCovid and other IACCs... 5/

$9 million/year for 10 years to FDA to develop & validate clinical outcome assessments for #LongCovid

$16.6 million/year for 10 years to FDA to identify current treatments and treatments under development for Long COVID, like @id_cure... 6/

$10 million/year for 10 years to AHRQ to continue the Long COVID Care Network

and $10 million/year for 10 years to AHRQ to develop and disseminate clinical care best practices of LC and IACCs. 7/

We are so grateful for Senators Sanders, Kaine, Markey, Welch, Duckworth, & Smith’s leadership on #LongCovid, and for responding to the patient community’s call with this incredible bill. @SenSanders @SenTimKaine, @SenDuckworth, @SenMarkey, @SenPeterWelch, @SenTinaSmith 8/

This took a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes. PLRC is so honored to have been part of this process and so appreciative of everyone involved!

9/

This is a rare opportunity that most illnesses will never have & a chance that may not come again. In the coming months we will need the full support of the community & all allies to rally around this bill, and to call your representatives to support and co-sponsor this bill. 10/

If it hasn’t already, #LongCovid will impact most families, and this is the moment for every single person to take action. 11/

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12/patientresearchcovid19.com/contact/

And a summary of the bill is available here: 13/sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/upl…

"Congress must act now to ensure treatments are developed and made available for Americans struggling with long COVID.... It is time for a #LongCovid Moonshot."

14/sanders.senate.gov/press-releases…