Chairman Clyburn’s Opening Statement at Hearing on “Understanding and Addressing Long COVID and Its Consequences”

Washington, D.C. (July 19, 2022) – Below is Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Chairman James E. Clyburn’s opening statement, as delivered, for a hearing on “Understanding and Addressing Long COVID and Its Consequences” with experts on public health and the workforce issues, a patient advocate, and an impacted American.

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Opening Statement
Chairman James E. Clyburn
Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
Hearing on “Understanding and Addressing Long COVID and Its Consequences”
July 19, 2022

Our nation has made tremendous progress in the fight against the coronavirus because of the powerful protection provided by widely available vaccines, treatments, testing, and other tools.  Since President Biden took office, daily coronavirus deaths have been reduced by 90 percent.  The Administration’s comprehensive pandemic response has helped us to move beyond the crisis phase of the pandemic and focus on creating jobs, increasing wages, lowering costs, and taking other steps to help families emerge even stronger.

Even as we celebrate these accomplishments and work to continue our progress, many Americans unfortunately continue to suffer from a condition known as Long COVID, defined as experiencing symptoms beyond the time period of one’s initial coronavirus infection.  For a portion of these Americans, the symptoms have been severe, including chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, shortness of breath, and cognitive impairment.  Some people’s symptoms have lasted since 2020 and show no signs of improving.

There is still much we need to learn about Long COVID.  Researchers do not fully understand its risk factors, causes, and effects, which can manifest themselves in a variety of ways.  Our nation’s scientists are working to develop methods to reliably diagnose Long COVID, and trials are underway to test new treatments.  Today’s hearing provides an opportunity to learn how we can support these research initiatives, guide health care workers, inform the public about Long COVID, and provide support to affected Americans.

Researchers also have struggled to estimate just how many Americans have experienced and are continuing to experience Long COVID.  An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of data collected by the Census Bureau over the first two weeks of June estimated that 35% of American adults who were ever infected with the coronavirus experienced Long COVID.  Nearly 1 in 5 of those who were previously infected were currently experiencing Long COVID symptoms at the time the survey was conducted.  Some estimates are higher, while others are lower.  Even if the lower estimates are the right ones, they still suggest that millions of Americans are experiencing this condition.

It is not known what portion of those with Long COVID have experienced severe symptoms.  But it is known that many report symptoms that interfere with their daily lives, making it more difficult to care for their families or fulfill the demands of their jobs.

Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office estimated that one million Americans have been pushed out of work due to Long COVID.  Many of these impacted families lose necessary income and employer-based health insurance at a time when they need it the most. 

This takes a toll not only on those directly experiencing Long COVID and their families, but also on the broader economy.  One study has estimated that the United States faces up to $3.7 trillion in economic losses from Long COVID, including approximately $997 billion in lost earnings from those who cannot work due to Long COVID, and approximately $529 billion in increased medical spending. 

Communities of color have experienced disproportionately high burden from the coronavirus, which has been compounded by longstanding health disparities and economic barriers.  Although research into the impact of Long COVID on vulnerable populations is ongoing, the recent CDC data suggests that women are more likely to be diagnosed with Long COVID than men, and that Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to experience Long COVID than white Americans.  It is crucial that we improve our understanding of Long COVID on these communities so that all Americans receive equitable care, fair access to resources, and the best health outcomes possible.

We are taking steps to better understand and address Long COVID and its consequences.  Congress has provided the National Institutes of Health with more than a billion dollars for Long COVID medical research. 

The Biden-Harris Administration has initiated a whole-of-government approach to address Long COVID and provide support for Americans suffering from the condition.  The Administration has expanded access to Long COVID clinics across the country and bolstered health insurance coverage for Long COVID care.

President Biden also directed the Department of Health and Human Services to issue the first-ever interagency National Research Action Plan on Long COVID by this August, which will include strategies to help measure and characterize Long COVID in both children and adults, foster development of new treatments, and improve data-sharing between agencies, academia, and industry researchers. 

These steps will help advance progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and provide greater support for affected Americans, taking into account the condition’s disproportionate impact on different racial and ethnic groups and those with underlying disabilities.

HHS, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, has also issued guidance specifying that Long COVID qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This is an important step in ensuring that Long COVID is appropriately treated by employers as the disabling event it can often be and providing workers the protections they need so they do not have to choose between a paycheck and their health.

Despite this progress, the millions of Americans experiencing Long COVID, and their families, are desperate for answers and support.  Today’s hearing will help clarify what is known about Long COVID, what is unknown, and what we can do to answer these critical questions.  We already know we must take additional action to further accelerate research, increase workplace protections and accommodations, and ensure medical care, treatment, and benefits are accessible and affordable. 

I would like to thank our witnesses for joining us today, and for sharing their expertise on what support and services we need to address this urgent public health and economic challenge.