FY26 Labor-HHS Update: What the Joint Explanatory Statement Means for ME/CFS

January 20, 2026

The FY26 Labor-HHS joint explanatory statement is now out, and the package should be on track for passage by the January 30 deadline, or shortly thereafter. We wanted to flag a key detail for the ME/CFS community as this moves forward.

While the joint explanatory statement did not include the specific language we’ve advocated for regarding (1) ME/CFS being included in the Long COVID RECOVER Initiative and (2) implementation of the ME/CFS Research Roadmap, it does not need to restate our ME/CFS paragraphs for them to count. The joint explanatory statement explicitly says Senate Report 119-55 carries the same weight and should be complied with unless the joint statement specifically overrides it—and it does not override our ME/CFS provisions. That means the Roadmap direction and the Long COVID-related language we secured in the Senate remain operative guidance as this package heads toward passage and signature.

GLOSSARY

CDC

The Center for Disease Control protects the United States’ health from threats using science and data

NIH

The National Institute of Health aims to discover new information that will result in better health for everyone

National Academies of Medicine

Previously called the Institute of Medicine, this nonprofit, private organization was created to advise the country on relevant issues

WHO

The World Health Organization works worldwide to promote health, promote safety, and serve the vulnerable

PACE

Short for “Pacing, graded Activity, and Cognitive behavioral therapy; a randomized Evaluation”

The Lancet

One of the world’s highest impact, most prestigious academic journals

FDA

The Food and Drug Administration protects American health by overseeing food, drugs, cosmetics, animal food, dietary supplements, medical devices, biological goods, and blood products