The federal government is considering eliminating the CDC’s only program dedicated to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) — a devastating disease that affects millions of Americans and is often triggered by viral infections like COVID-19.
This program has quietly played a critical role in public health, and its disappearance would leave patients and families without essential support. It’s not just about ME/CFS — this program also benefits the rapidly growing number of people living with Long COVID, many of whom now meet the criteria for ME/CFS.
You can read more here: https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/features/115174
If we lose this program, we lose:
- National tracking data on how many people are affected
- A large-scale clinical research study to improve diagnosis and treatment
- A program that helps school nurses support chronically ill students
- Accredited education for doctors so they can better recognize and treat ME/CFS
- A platform that coordinates efforts across federal agencies, researchers, and patient groups
We are finally making progress toward answers. To cut funding now would waste years of investment and rob millions of hope.
What You Can Do:
Use our simple tool to contact Congress and urge them to protect and strengthen the CDC’s ME/CFS program in the upcoming federal budget.
Every email, call, and tweet matters. Your story may be the one that makes a difference!
Take action here.
