Bill > S1578

This bill establishes a pilot program in Massachusetts to support people diagnosed with Long COVID (a condition involving persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection) by creating a patient navigation service. The program, to be developed by the state's health department, will help Long COVID patients overcome barriers to medical treatment by providing personalized assistance such as conducting needs assessments, facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers, helping schedule medical appointments, optimizing insurance coverage, and connecting patients to clinical and social support services. Patient navigators will be trained to offer comprehensive support, including addressing emotional needs, social challenges like transportation and language barriers, and connecting individuals to community resources. The program aims to follow guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Long COVID definition and will collect data on its effectiveness. Within one year of implementation, the department must submit a report to legislative committees detailing the pilot program's activities, participant demographics, and recommendations for potential expansion. The program is subject to available funding and designed to provide culturally-specific, holistic support for individuals experiencing Long COVID.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1578