Long COVID Care: Primavera and National Jewish Health Lead

DENVER, September 17, 2025 – Today, following the Long COVID Roundtable organized by Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Colorado leaders, clinicians and patients came together at National Jewish Health for a multi-functional event. The roundtable was both a tour of the clinic as well as an opportunity for dialogue concerning new innovations related to research, treatment, and support for patients impacted by Long COVID while reaffirming the collaborative efforts across the state.

The roundtable was held at the Molly Blank Conference Center and included patients with lived experience, healthcare providers and researchers from around the state representing CU Anschutz, UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado and Colorado School of Public Health.

“Coloradans living with Long COVID deserve answers, care and hope,” said Lt. Governor Primavera, who oversees the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. “We can strengthen public health and save families money on health care by investing in research, increasing accessibility to treatment, and exploring together how to center the patient voice.”

Exploring the Center for Post-COVID Care and Recovery

As part of the meetings, Lt. Governor Primavera toured the National Jewish Health Center for Post-COVID Care and Recovery, which offers multidisciplinary, integrated care to adults and children experiencing ongoing symptoms related to COVID-19. The clinic, which is a recognized center of excellence, combines primary care, pulmonary medicine, rehabilitation, neurology, behavioral health and cardiology to help improve quality of life for patients and their families.

“National Jewish Health is proud to be a national leader in treating patients with Long COVID,” said Michael Salem, MD, President & CEO of National Jewish Health. “Our teams are working to understand the long-term health consequences of COVID-19, developing innovative treatment strategies, and provide wrap-around support to patients in our clinics. Collaborating with lawmakers and community partners is essential to our work.”

Disseminating information about future directions

Provider presentations during the event highlighted local and national initiatives related to:

• Studies related to Long COVID initiated by the RECOVER Initiative for both adults and children

• Post-COVID Clinics and rehabilitative services at UCHealth

• ECHO Colorado’s model for provider training

• Public health surveillance efforts that inform data-driven policy

Forward-thinking dialogue and discussion, led by Lt. Governor Primavera and Dr. Nir Goldstein from National Jewish Health concluded the meeting.

A Statewide Pledge to Equity and Health

This event reflects the overarching emphasis of the Polis–Primavera Administration on equity, lowering health care costs, and improving access to physical and mental health for Coloradans. In early 2023, the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care (OSPMHC) released their third annual report on Long COVID, complete with data specific to Colorado, policy recommendations, and a roadmap for moving forward.

OSPMHC also has a dedicated Long COVID resource webpage in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as a reliable mechanism to share accurate and reliable information, improve access to services, and promote state and partner initiatives to help support communities.

About National Jewish Health

National Jewish Health, established in 1899, is first in the nation in respiratory hospital and the only institution in the world to do research and treat patients for respiratory, cardiac, immune, and related diseases. National Jewish Health is a nonprofit institution with a focus of care based on research, multi-disciplinary, and patient-centered care attracting families from all over the world.