Solve ME/CFS Initiative Grades HHS on CFSAC Response

The Solve ME/CFS Initiative has created a report card for HHS’ response to the recommendations made by the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC) after its August meeting. The grades the organization gave on the HHS response to the 13 CFSAC recommendations range from A- (one) to F (four).
The Solve ME/CFS Initiative noted that in “no case did HHS appear to disagree with CFSAC recommendations”, each of which “was thoughtfully and painstakingly crafted by diverse and knowledgeable individuals.” They explained that in cases in which low grades were given, it was primarily because of federal process issues, which were described by HHS as preventing forward movement. “Knowing that the CFSAC has deep knowledge of the disease and HHS has deep knowledge of how to navigate through federal processes, a goodwill discussion regarding how to effect these recommendations would be a sensible next step,” the Solve ME/CFS Initiative said in its report, while acknowledging that NIH’s “responses were written in late October, before the first Trans-NIH Working Group meeting.”
The Solve ME/CFS Initiative describes the report card as a way to “continue a constructive, problem-solving dialogue regarding how our federal government can live into the Institute of Medicine’s and P2P’s mandates.”
To view the report card, go here.
To view the CFSAC recommendations and the full HHS responses, go here.