The COVID-19 Health and Safety Taskforce (CHeST) is a coalition of 501(c)(3) non-profit patient advocacy organizations.
The mission of CHeST is to advocate for policies that protect Americans against COVID-19, long COVID, and associated conditions.
CHeST supports policies that:
- Raise awareness about COVID-19, long COVID, and associated conditions;
- Empower COVID-19 survivors to thrive in their communities; and
- Increase the availability and accessibility of resources for preventing, diagnosing, testing, and treating COVID-19, long COVID, and associated conditions.
For more information about CHeST, press inquiries, or membership, please contact Andrew Wylam: a.wylam@pandemicpatients.org.
Steering Committee:
Recent Activity:
CHeST Endorses the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act
Pandemic Patients and the COVID-19 Health and Safety Taskforce (CHeST) endorsed bipartisan legislation to modernize the SSI program.
Pandemic Patients Submits Comment to the FDA to Support Patient-Focused Drug Development for Long COVID
On June 26, 2023, Pandemic Patients submitted a comment to the FDA supporting the agency’s efforts to promote patient-focused drug development for long COVID.
Pandemic Patients Submits Feedback on the Household Pulse Survey
On May 30, 2023, Pandemic Patients submitted feedback to the U.S. Census Bureau on the agency’s proposed updates to the Household Pulse Survey.
CHeST Endorses the CARE for Long COVID Act
CHeST is proud to stand in solidarity with the long COVID patient community by endorsing the CARE for Long COVID Act.
Pandemic Patients is Going to Washington
We are hosting a briefing about long COVID on Capitol Hill and we need your support!
March 15 is International Long COVID Awareness Day
On March 15, we will be observing International Long COVID Awareness Day, which serves to recognize the countless Americans who have been affected by long COVID.
Join Us: “The ‘End’ of the Public Health Emergency” on April 20
The Biden Administration recently announced that the public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023. As many of the flexibilities to improve access to tests and treatments expire, learn what’s next and what it means for you.
FDA Schedules Public Meeting on Long COVID
To better understand and address the impacts of long COVID, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is hosting a public meeting on April 25, 2023 to hear directly from patients and patient representatives.
CHeST Endorses the Stop the Wait Act
CHeST is proud to announce its endorsement of the Stop the Wait Act (H.R. 883 and S. 320), which seeks to end the 5-month waiting period for individuals to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, as well as allow those who are uninsured or unable to afford insurance during the 29-month waiting period for Medicare to receive coverage.
Pandemic Policy in the 2023 Federal Budget
On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 into law, funding the federal government through September 2023. The final budget, spanning 1653 pages, enacts many changes to public policy, some of which are related to the coronavirus pandemic.
