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Purpose
The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (formerly known as the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Coordinating Committee) was established to provide science-based advice and recommendations to the
Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Assistant Secretary for Health on a broad range of
issues and topics pertaining to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Authority
42 U.S.C. 217a, Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Committee is governed
by the provision of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets
forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.
Function
The Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary
for Health, on a broad range of topics including: (1) the current state of knowledge and research about
the epidemiology and risk factors relating to chronic fatigue syndrome, and identifying potential
opportunities in these areas; (2) current and proposed diagnosis and treatment methods for chronic
fatigue syndrome; and (3) development and implementation of programs to inform the public, health care
professionals, and the biomedical, academic and research communities about chronic fatigue syndrome
advances.
Structure
The Committee shall consist of 11 members, including the Chair, appointed by the Secretary or the
Secretary’s designee. Of the 11 members, 7 shall be biomedical research scientists with demonstrated
expertise in biomedical research applicable to chronic fatigue syndrome; 4 shall be individuals with
expertise in health care delivery, private health care services or insurers, or voluntary organizations
concerned with the problems of individuals with CFS. All members of this Committee are classified as
special Government employees (SGEs).
In addition, the Committee shall include 5 non-voting ex officio members: a representative from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Health
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Social
Security Administration (SSA); and any additional employees of the United States Government that the
Secretary (or designee) determines necessary for the Committee to effectively carry out its function.
Members shall be appointed to serve a term of four years. Terms of more than two years are contingent
upon the renewal of the Committee’s charter by appropriate action prior to its expiration. A member may
serve no more than 180 days after the expiration of the member’s term if a successor has not taken office.
A member who has served on this Committee cannot be considered for reappointment to the Committee
for a period of one year after the expiration date of the member’s term of office, including any
extensions.
If a vacancy occurs among the appointed members, the Secretary (or designee) shall make an
appointment to fill the vacancy within 90 days from the date the vacancy occurs. Any individual who is
appointed to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term of a member shall be appointed only for the remainder
of that term.
As necessary, the Committee may establish standing and ad hoc subcommittees composed of members of
the parent committee, assemble ad hoc working groups, convene conferences and workshops, and seek
advice from non-member special consultants, with the approval of the Secretary (or designee). A quorum
for each subcommittee/working group shall be three. The DHHS Committee Management Officer shall
be notified upon establishment of each standing subcommittee and shall be provided with information on
its name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.
The advice of a subcommittee shall be reported to the parent committee. The full committee shall review
reports and any recommendations made by the subcommittees. The Committee will discuss their
findings at a public meeting, at which time the full committee will determine the appropriate action.
Management and support services shall be provided within the Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS), with direction and guidance from the Assistant Secretary for Health. The OPHS with its
expertise in coordinating federal activities and its advisory role to the Secretary will:
- Assure coordination and communication for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee
and HHS agencies.
- In coordination with the Committee Chair, act as the Committee liaison to HHS; other
government agencies; the CFS biomedical, academic, and research communities; the public; and
other non-governmental entities.
Meetings
Meetings of the full Committee shall be held not more than two times a year. Meetings shall be held at
the call of the designated Federal officer (DFO), who is responsible for developing the meeting agenda.
Development of the meeting agenda may be done in collaboration with the Committee Chair. The DFO
or other official to whom the authority has been delegated shall be present at all meetings of the full
Committee and any subcommittees/working groups that have been assembled to assist this Committee. A
quorum for the conduct of business by the full Committee shall consist of a majority of the Committee’s
voting members.
Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary (or designee), in
accordance with the guidelines under Government in the Sunshine Act at 5 U.S.C. 552b(c) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the public.
Meetings shall be conducted and records of the proceedings kept, as required by applicable laws and
Departmental policies.
Compensation
Members shall be paid at a rate not to exceed $200 per day, plus per diem and travel expenses, as
authorized by Section 5703, Title 5 U.S.C., as amended, for persons employed intermittently in the
Government service. Members who are officers or employees of the United States Government shall not
receive compensation for service on the Committee.
Annual Cost Estimate
Estimated annual cost for operating the Committee, including compensation and travel expenses for
members, but excluding staff support is $32,870. The estimate of annual person-years of staff support
required is .7, at an estimated annual cost of $35,243.
Report
When it is determined that a meeting shall be closed or partially closed to the public, as determined by
the Secretary (or designee), in accordance with Government in the Sunshine Act at 5 U.S.C. 552b(c) and
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, then a report shall be prepared that will contain, at a minimum, a
list of members and their business addresses, the Committee’s functions, dates, places of meetings, and a
summary of committee activities and recommendations made during the fiscal year. A copy of the report
shall be provided to the Department Committee Management Officer.
Termination Date
Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the charter for the Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome Advisory Committee will expire on September 5, 2008.
APPROVED: |
August 30, 2006
Date |
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/s/ Michael O. Leavitt
Secretary of Health and Human Services |
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