Published on June 12, 2026 / Updated on June 18, 2026
Bipartisan Solidarity for People with ME/CFS
On June 18, four former Austrian health ministers reaffirmed their support for the petition launched by the Austrian Society for ME/CFS in collaboration with the WE&ME Foundation. The petition calls for the full implementation of the National Action Plan for Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS) and opposes any potential restrictions on the measures that have already been developed.
Within just a few weeks, the petition had already been signed by more than 21,000 people. It is a powerful sign of solidarity with the up to 80,000 people in Austria who live with ME/CFS.
Photo: Christian Jobst
The action plan is in place—now it needs to be implemented
The 2024 National Action Plan outlined numerous measures to improve care for people with PAIS and ME/CFS. However, a year and a half later, the necessary decisions for implementation have yet to be made. At the same time, those affected and experts fear that key provisions may be watered down.
The petition therefore calls for the full implementation of the action plan—without any compromises and with the involvement of those affected.
What Those Affected Need
Among the key demands are:
- specialized centers and outpatient clinics in all federal states,
- better medical care,
- outreach and telemedicine services for seriously ill patients,
- more research on ME/CFS and PAIS,
- fair social security, as well as
- the consistent implementation of the measures that have already been adopted.
A strong signal
The support from four former health ministers shows that the concerns of people with ME/CFS are being heard across party lines. For many people affected, it’s not about new promises, but about finally implementing solutions that have already been developed.
Support the petition
You can still sign the petition at: openpetition.org/paisaktionsplan
Continue reading here:
ME/CFS Petition – Weeks That Will Set the Course
APA Report on the Press Conference: https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20260618_OTS0092/ueberparteilicher-schulterschluss-unterstuetzt-petition-fuer-bessere-patientenversorgung
Photos: Christian Jobst
