U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine is all too familiar with the harrowing effects of long COVID. And on Wednesday, the Virginia Democrat introduced legislation to help other Americans struggling with the same mysterious illness.
Kaine was diagnosed with COVID-19 nearly two years ago, but still suffers from moderate symptoms. And he’s not alone. Thousands, potentially millions, of Americans have continued to cope with health concerns long after infection. Because more research is needed and diagnoses remain inconsistent, it’s hard to gauge just how many people are plagued by lingering effects of the virus.
The Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act is Kaine’s solution. The bill, co-sponsored by Democratic Senators Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, aims to expand long COVID research and improve access to treatment.