Ask BC Health Minister Josie Osborne: Protect Access to Care for Long COVID, ME/CFS, and Fibromyalgia Patients

Thousands of British Columbians living with Long COVID, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), and Fibromyalgia rely on the BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia (BC-CLMF) for care. Many are housebound or live in rural areas. This clinic—accessible only through virtual care—is their only connection to medical support, education, and physician-guided treatment.

The BC Government recently announced that changes to BC’s Medical Services Plan will now be phased in starting January 2026—not September 2025 as originally planned. This extension buys us more time to show just how essential this clinic is.

But the threat is still real: if sustainable funding is not secured, the BC-CLMF will eventually be forced to shut down. That would leave patients without access to vital care. ERs and GPs will be further overwhelmed, and there are no viable alternatives. Other programs are too short-term, overbooked, or exclude those with ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia. This clinic is cost-effective, scalable, and already working.

We urge Minister Josie Osborne to act now to protect and sustain the BC-CLMF. We don’t need a new program—we need to safeguard the only system that’s helping. Please don’t abandon BC’s most vulnerable patients.

This extra time gives us a chance to gather more voices and signatures. Let’s show the government how much this care matters. Sign and share to help save the BC-CLMF.