Bill > A1966

Introduced Session

This bill addresses the long-term effects of COVID-19. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department), in consultation with county and local health departments shall develop strategies to establish post-COVID-19 health clinics that provide physical and mental health evaluations, physical therapy, and other appropriate services at no cost to patients who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19. The department is to publish informational pamphlets on post-COVID-19 health clinics, which are to be made available in pertinent licensed health care facilities. The department is to establish a public awareness campaign to increase public awareness of the long-term health effects of COVID-19 and methods to address such health effects. The department is to: publish current information on the symptoms of COVID-19 and the long-term health effects therefrom; publish informational pamphlets on the long-term health effects of COVID-19, which are to be made available in pertinent licensed health care facilities; and educate individuals in medically underserved areas and areas with statistically adverse health outcomes resulting from COVID-19 about the long-term health effects of COVID-19. The bill provides for the establishment of the "New Jersey COVID-19 Long-Term Health Effects Task Force." The purpose of the 15-member task force is to study the long-term health effects of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minorities in the State. Further, the bill provides that the department is to: develop continuing education courses for health care professionals on the long-term health effects of COVID-19; develop methods for healthcare professionals to employ to make patients aware of the long-term health effects of COVID-19, including the long-term health effects of COVID-19 on asymptomatic persons; and develop methods for health care professionals to encourage patients to seek further medical care, mental health care, or both, for any condition that may arise as a result of a previous COVID-19 diagnosis.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Reginald Atkins (D)*,  Shanique Speight (D)*,  Yvonne Lopez (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document