The long COVID advisory committee, consisting of 14 unpaid members, was tasked with providing recommendations on research, treatment, and interventions for the over 20 million Americans affected by long COVID.

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order terminating several health advisory committees, including the Advisory Committee on Long COVID and the Health Equity Advisory Committee.

This executive order, titled 'Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,' aims to cut unnecessary programs to reduce government waste and lower inflation.

Long COVID is characterized by persistent symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and difficulty concentrating lasting at least three months after the initial COVID-19 infection, as defined by the CDC.

Established in July 2024 by former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, the health equity advisory committee was projected to cost $1.5 million annually.

The committee was intended to include 20 to 30 individuals experienced in working with marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

The termination of these advisory committees could create gaps in policy development and reduce public awareness of long COVID, which is recognized as a disability under federal law.

Healthcare professionals are urged to advocate for health policy, as the government currently fails to protect vulnerable populations.

Eliminating these committees could exacerbate existing health inequities and hinder progress toward understanding and addressing long COVID and other health disparities.

Both advisory committees were established during the Biden administration, with the long COVID committee formed in November 2023, although it had not yet convened.

The Health Equity Advisory Committee was essential in identifying and addressing systemic barriers to healthcare access for marginalized communities, including people of color and low-income individuals.

Health disparities in the U.S. are significant, with higher uninsured rates among certain racial groups and fewer mental health providers available in rural areas compared to the national average.