Advocacy Updates

Advocacy Alert: 7/15/2008

Letter from 16 House Members about CFSAC

Today 16 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary of Health Michael Leavitt, urging him to renew the charter for the CFS Advisory Committee before it expires on September 5, 2008. The letter is posted on the CFIDS Association's website at http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/cfsac08-renewal.pdf.

The letter states, “The high prevalence of CFS, its low rate of diagnosis and the annual economic toll of up to $25 billion demonstrates the need for increased public and policy-maker awareness and a more potent research effort. The CFSAC meetings also provide opportunities for patients and advocates to express support for, or concerns about, CFS programs through public testimony. Thus, the CFSAC allows for greater transparency and accountability for CFS programs, helping to ensure the most effective policies and utilization of resources dedicated to CFS. For example, at present the CFSAC has presented your office with a host of recommendations designed to improve the performance of the CFS program at CDC. We await a response to these recommendations.”

This letter was requested by the CFIDS Association and grassroots advocates like you who contacted their members of the U.S. Congress through the Association's Grassroots Action Center. We will issue an alert to advocates living in the 16 districts of those House members who signed the letter to encourage expressions of appreciation.

If your member of Congress did not sign the letter, it's not too late. Letters from individual members using the same text as the group letter can add force to this demonstration of legislators' support for CFS and the continuance of this important advisory committee. You can use our Alert at http://capwiz.com/cfids/issues/alert/?alertid=11642281&type=CO to send a message.

Thank you for your continued response to our calls for action!