Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and National Jewish Health Host Long COVID Roundtable to Advance Care and Collaboration

DENVER - Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera joined National Jewish Health today for a Long COVID Roundtable and clinic tour, bringing together leading researchers, health care providers, patients, and advocates from around the state to highlight progress and strengthen collaboration in treating and supporting people living with Long COVID. The event, held at the Molly Blank Conference Center on the National Jewish Health campus in Denver, featured patients sharing personal experiences alongside clinicians and researchers from across Colorado, including CU Anschutz, UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the Colorado School of Public Health.

"Coloradans living with Long COVID deserve answers, care, and hope," said Lt. Governor and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, Dianne Primavera. "Today's discussion shows the power of collaboration between patients, providers, and policymakers to shape the future of Long COVID care. By investing in research, expanding access to treatment, and ensuring that voices of those most impacted are heard, we are strengthening public health and saving families money on health care."

Lt. Governor Primavera leads a discussion about Long COVID alongside clinicians and researchers in Colorado.

As part of her visit, Lt. Governor Primavera toured the National Jewish Health Center for Post-COVID Care and Recovery, which provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for both adults and children experiencing lingering symptoms after COVID-19. The clinic's approach integrates primary care, behavioral health, cardiology, neurology, rehabilitation, and pulmonary care to help patients regain quality of life.

"National Jewish Health is proud to be a national leader in Long COVID research and care," said Michael Salem, MD, President and CEO of National Jewish Health. "Our multidisciplinary teams are working to increase understanding of the long-term effects of COVID-19, provide innovative treatments, and support patients and families. Partnering with state leaders and community stakeholders is essential to advancing our shared mission of improving health and wellness."

During the roundtable, presentations included updates on pediatric and adult RECOVER Initiative studies, the UCHealth Post-COVID Clinics, rehabilitation services, ECHO Colorado, and public health surveillance initiatives. The session concluded with a discussion led by Lt. Governor Primavera and Nir Goldstein, MD, Professor of Medicine at National Jewish Health, on the future of Long COVID research, treatment, and policy.

This convening is part of the Polis-Primavera Administration's broader commitment to improving access to behavioral and physical health care, reducing costs, and advancing equity across Colorado's health care system.

Earlier this year, the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care (OSPMHC), led by Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, released its third annual report on Long COVID in Colorado, which synthesizes state-specific data, highlights recent work, outlines next steps, and provides recommendations.

In collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), OSPMHC launched a Long COVID webpage on the CDPHE website. This page provides trusted information about Long COVID, available services, and the ongoing work by CDPHE and our partners to support patients and communities.

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, delivering excellence in multispecialty care and world-class research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health is today the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and the treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune, and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit njhealth.org or the media resources page.

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