At our conference in Nashville, you heard from speakers Rachel Beale and Senator Tim Kaine about the importance of SSA taking seriously the ongoing suffering of those with long COVID. On August 5, 2024, Senator Kaine submitted a letter to Commissioner O’Malley—also signed by Senators Markey, Duckworth, King, Sanders, Blumenthal, and Smith—requesting agency action on long COVID.

In this letter you will recognize several of NOSSCR’s priorities (adopting a Listing that recognizes breaks/naps/absences/off-task, reinstating the treating physician rule, and providing representative access to all exhibits at the initial and reconsideration stages). This letter is the result of many months of work, and we hope the agency will take seriously the need for consequential long COVID policies.

You can read the Senator’s Press Release here and read/download the full text of the letter below.