#MEAction Testifies in Support of Maryland HB 27 to Advance Long COVID Research
- #MEAction
- Feb 19
- 2 min read
Last week, #MEAction joined a Maryland bill hearing to support House Bill 27 (HB 27), a proposal that would create the Maryland Long COVID Research Fund and establish a Long COVID Innovation Grant and Loan Program through the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO).
#MEAction’s Scientific Director, Jaime Seltzer, delivered testimony in support of the bill. #MEAction’s Maryland State Chapter lead, Bridget Collins, also testified, highlighting why this issue matters to Marylanders and why timely action is so important.
“For Marylanders with Long COVID who are losing jobs, stability, and quality of life, House Bill 27 funding would be a concrete step towards better diagnostics and more options for treatment,” said Seltzer. “The state can accelerate innovation in treatment and product development, improving care in Maryland and creating a model other states can follow.”
The bill was introduced by Cheryl Lohman, who worked to move it forward and get it in front of Maryland lawmakers. Others testified as well, reflecting the broad concern and shared urgency around Long COVID.
What HB 27 would do
If enacted, HB 27 would require TEDCO to:
Create a grant and loan program to support Long COVID innovation, including research and related development in Maryland.
Contract with an independent scientific peer review committee with expertise in Long COVID to review proposals and recommend awards.
Establish the Maryland Long COVID Research Fund as a dedicated, non-lapsing fund with annual reporting to the Governor and General Assembly on progress and awards.
Why this matters
Long COVID is a serious, often disabling condition with broad impacts on individuals, families, workplaces, and health systems, and a strong link to ME/CFS. Maryland’s HB 27 represents a meaningful step toward building the infrastructure needed to support research and accelerate progress toward effective treatments and care.
What’s next
HB 27 is part of the Maryland legislative process, and continued engagement from advocates, researchers, and community members will be important as the bill moves forward. #MEAction will continue following the bill and sharing updates as the next steps unfold.
MEAction Testifies in Support of Maryland HB 27 to Advance Long COVID Research really meant a lot to me because I follow patient advocacy work. I am a PhD student. I also work part time at Last-Minute Assignments. I think about my life a lot. When I was in college I had a time with my school work. This made me want to help people and I understand when people say do my assignment. What happened to me in college helps me when I talk about research and it helps me care about students and patients like Long COVID patients. I always try to think about how they feel. That is really important, to me now.
This is such an important step forward. Long COVID continues to affect so many people, and it's encouraging to see advocacy groups pushing for stronger research and better support systems. Raising awareness and investing in science can make a real difference for patients and families. It also reminds me how important it is to find small ways to stay positive during difficult health journeys—even simple distractions like playing Crazy Cattle 3D can help take your mind off things for a while. Thanks for all the work you're doing to keep this issue visible.