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ABOUT
#MEAction CA was expanded in August 2026 to include Oregon and Washington and is now #MEAction Pacific. Art Mirin is the current state chapter leader and is assisted by Jules Salamon. We hope to identify deputy chapter leaders in Oregon and Washington. Our google group includes roughly 200 members. The California contingent has been engaged in State advocacy efforts since 2016, having had many interactions with the State legislature, the University of California, the California Department of Public Health, the Medical Board of California, and the California Medical Association. The advent of COVID has nearly quadrupled the number of people afflicted with ME/CFS (pre-pandemic), making it all the more important that our states take action to address ME/CFS.
OUR WINS
Our article on ME/CFS and long COVID, along with an interview of a COVID long-hauler experiencing ME/CFS onset, was published in the July 2021 Newsletter of the Medical Board of California. We succeeded in obtaining legislative sponsorship of $120 million for centers of excellence in Long COVID along with ME/CFS in 2022 but unfortunately the budget request did not advance. We have engaged the University of California vis-à-vis their providing clinical care to people with ME/CFS and made a well-received presentation to the UC Regents Health Services Committee in 2022. Our more recent efforts have focused on educating health providers on ME/CFS and its connection with Long COVID.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
We meet virtually on the second Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm! The purpose of the meeting is to bring together those in California, Oregon and Washington who have ME, along with their family and friends, to discuss their concerns, let out their feelings, exchange information, and develop advocacy strategy. Find our next meeting here.