U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bill to Combat Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President’s Desk

Most recent data shows Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases in 2024 alone, a rate that has likely increased in recent years

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tina Smith's (D-MN) bipartisan bill to expand research, testing and treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases is expected to become law after successfully passing both chambers of Congress. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passed the U.S. Senate in August and passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week, heading to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"When this bill soon becomes law, it will save lives and help people battling Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases," said Sen. Smith. "Minnesota is proud to have more than 10,000 lakes and thousands of rivers. Unfortunately, as we venture outdoors, the number of Lyme disease cases in the state-and states across the country-goes on the rise. This bill will step up regional efforts at researching, testing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. We must cut down on tick-borne illnesses for the sake of Americans' health and well-being."

The bill, co-led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), was named in honor of former Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away on October 28, 2019, due to complications from the tick-borne Powassan virus.

Over the past two decades, Minnesota has experienced a significant rise in tick-borne diseases. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Lyme disease remains the state's most reported tick-borne illness, with 3,551 probable cases reported in 2024. In the same year, Minnesota also reported hundreds of cases of other tickborne diseases: 627 cases of anaplasmosis, 89 cases of babesiosis and 14 cases of Powassan virus disease.

Using a three-pronged approach, The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act will:

1. Continue implementation and updates of the Department of Health and Human Services' National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People. This would support ongoing federal efforts to advance research, improve diagnostics and strengthen coordination on vector-borne diseases.

1. Reauthorize the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease for five years. These centers support critical research, surveillance and public health efforts to address tick-borne diseases and other vector-borne threats.

1. Reauthorize CDC grants to state health departments to strengthen vector-borne disease prevention and response efforts. These grants would support surveillance, early detection and diagnosis, treatment efforts, public education, and partnerships to address Lyme disease and other vector-borne diseases.

###