Int 1235-2023

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Community long COVID and associated diseases needs assessment. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Commissioner. The term "commissioner" means the commissioner of health and mental hygiene. Long COVID and associated diseases. The term "long COVID and associated diseases" means the continuation or development of new or worsening symptoms after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection has resolved. b. By October 1, 2024, the commissioner shall, in consultation with relevant agencies, health care professionals, health insurers, patients experiencing long COVID and associated diseases, community based organizations, disability advocates, union and labor groups, and other relevant stakeholders, conduct a community needs assessment to identify the needs and gaps in services for people experiencing long COVID and associated diseases in the city of New York and submit to the mayor and speaker of the council a report on such assessment. Such report shall address the following: 1. The prevalence of long COVID and associated diseases 2. The populations most affected by long COVID and associated diseases; 3. The existing needs of people experiencing long COVID and related diseases, including medical, financial, social services, and education; 4. The existence and accessibility of appropriate programs and services for people experiencing long COVID and associated diseases; 5. The unmet needs and service gaps that exist for people experiencing long COVID and associated diseases while accounting for demographic variations in such unmet needs and service gaps such as, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and age; 6. Priority actions, strategies, and policies to support people experiencing long COVID and associated diseases and their families, including guidance for the public, healthcare providers, and any other relevant agencies; and 7. Any additional information or issues the commissioner considered to conduct the community needs assessment required by subdivision b of this local law. c. Privacy Protections. No information that is required to be provided pursuant to this section shall be disclosed in a manner that would violate any applicable law relating to the privacy of individual information. � 2. This local law takes effect immediately. DR LS #13453 10/16/23 12:51pm 2 1