#MEAction is proud to join Solve ME/CFS Initiative (Solve M.E) and 18 other chronic disease stakeholders to sign a strong letter to Congress asking them to urgently prioritize long COVID and post-viral disease funding in future Congressional COVID-19 relief packages or appropriations agreements.

The goal of the letter is have Congress fund millions of dollars in new National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research into the post-viral health complications for long-term COVID-19 (Long COVID) survivors.

With more than 13.9 million coronavirus infections in the U.S., the letter emphasizes the importance of research into chronic conditions known to be associated with viral triggers, such as: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Dysautonomia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), among others.

Chronic disease experts unanimously agree that in order to adequately address Long COVID complications, Congress must act immediately and appropriate the following funds:

• $110 million for the establishment of Long COVID Collaborative Research Centers and Centers of Excellence;

• $60 million toward expanding post-viral disease research;

• $3.5 million for the development and issuance of medical guidance about Long COVID to medical providers and front-line health professionals; and

• $300,000 toward convening experts and stakeholders to establish data harmonization.

Authors of the letter include: Solve ME/CFS Initiative, National Health Council, National Organization for Women, #MEAction, Open Medicine Foundation, Dysautonomia International, The Mast Cell Disease Society, Body Politic, COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project, Hadassah, American Medical Women’s Association, Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, HealthyWomen, Bateman-Horne Center, Institute for Neuro-immune Medicine, Pandora.Org, Sex and Gender Health Collaborative, Minnesota ME/CFS Alliance, The Shane Foundation, Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association, & The American Dysautonomia Institute.

Here you can read the full letter.