Summary:
Chaired by Senator Bernie Saunders on 18th January 2024 in the United States Senate
The first half was Long Hauler testimonies, and they were then questioned by senators about their experiences.
The second half featured doctors and scientists talking about what Long COVID research was needed.
Main Points:
- Long Covid is a condition with over 200 symptoms, including cognitive impairment and severe cardiovascular and neurological problems
- Patients with Long Covid experience chronic symptoms such as extreme fatigue, insomnia, migraines, and loss of smell or taste
- There is a need for government funding for research and accountability for health plans to adequately reimburse for services
- Telemedicine is available for some patients, but in-person visits are preferred for specialists
- There is a need for a national network of telementoring to respond to health emergencies
- Research efforts for Long Covid must match the urgency and scale of the problem
- Recovery initiatives aim to gather data and follow patients to understand the disease and develop treatment plans
- There is a need for harmonized approaches to multidisciplinary care and policy change for Long Covid treatment.
Definition of a Senate Hearing & What it does: https://www.senate.gov/committees/
