Support Research, Support Patients
A recent survey from our friends at Research!America found that over 80% of Americans believe our government should fund “basic scientific research that advances the frontiers of knowledge.” We agree. Read on to see what Solve M.E. is doing to increase investments in quality research, and how you can help!
President Biden Signs FY22 Budget: Wins for ME/CFS and Long Covid
On March 15, President Joe Biden signed into law the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 omnibus appropriations bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 (H.R. 2471). This bill included $82.5 million in expanded funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $1 billion in funding to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). That new agency, initially housed within the HHS Office of the Secretary, will aim to strengthen biomedical research and accelerate the pace of scientific breakthroughs for severe diseases.
The funding package would maintain the current funding level for the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) ME/CFS program at the full $5.4 million.
Another Year of Growth in Defense Funding for ME/CFS
For the past four years, Solve M.E. has been the leader in calling for increased inclusion of ME/CFS in the Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program. This provision directs the Secretary of Defense to select medical research projects that are beneficial and relevant toward military health, specifically restricting funding to several diseases. Solve M.E. was once again successful in fighting for the inclusion of ME/CFS. Last year, this program’s success grew significantly, from $500,000 in 2020 to over $2.5 million in 2021. We look forward to reporting even more success as a result of this work!
Sens Markey, Kaine, Duckworth Voice Concerns About Disability
Benefit Barriers for People with Long Covid
This week, Senators Markey, Kaine, and Duckworth, cosponsors of the Care for Long COVID Act, called on the Biden Administration to improve guidance for those with Long Covid who apply for disability benefits. Their letter, sent to Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Kilolo Kijakazi, posed a series of important questions about equity in the disability application process. We eagerly await SSA’s answers to these questions, which will shed light on the barriers faced by those with Long Covid and ME/CFS.
We applaud the Senators for their leadership on this critical issue and thank them for their continued support of patients! Read the press release and letter here.
Register to Meet with Congress!
Sign up to meet with your Senators and Representatives during Solve M.E. Advocacy Month! Virtual Congressional Meetings on May 10, 11, and 17 are great opportunities to raise your voice for research and better futures for people with ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other chronic diseases. Click here to register by April 22!
