LYME ADVOCACY: Virtual town hall meeting and Tick Act update

ByDorothy Leland

from the Center for Lyme Action:

Join us for a Virtual Advocate Town Hall on July 28 at 6PM ET.

— Get updates on federal Lyme and tick-borne disease policy
— Learn where we stand in the appropriations process
— See what’s ahead for the remainder of 2025.

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This event will be recorded.

Learn more about important initiatives underway. Please invite others in the Lyme, alpha-gal, and tick-borne disease community to attend—we’re stronger together.  Register here.

Update from Capitol Hill

Our team has been on the ground in Washington, DC delivering materials to every House and Senate office and coordinating meetings with members to secure additional cosponsors for the Tick Act reauthorization.

Thanks to your persistent advocacy, we celebrate the following bipartisan sponsors and cosponsors who are supporting the reauthorization thus far:

Senate: Collins (R-ME), Smith (D-MN), King (I-ME), Hawley (R-MO), Klobuchar (D-MN), Gillibrand (D-NY)
House: Smith (R-NJ), Doggett (D-TX), Kean (R- NJ), Tonko (D-NY), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Moylan (R-Guam)

We want to get even more co-sponsors. Read below for how you can help.

Take action today

Your advocacy is needed!  Please take 5 minutes to send letters to your U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators to co-sponsor the Kay Hagan Tick Act.

3700+ letters have been sent from 49 states so far! Help us reach our goal of 5000 letters!

Here’s what the Tick Act includes:
1) Directs HHS to implement and update the Vector Borne Disease National Strategy to improve coordination, expand research, and enhance diagnostic tools.
2) Supports state health departments with grants to strengthen prevention and response
3) Reauthorizes the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease

We can’t afford to wait. This bipartisan bill is backed by leading experts and organizations, including the Center for Lyme Action, Entomological Society of America, and many more.

Tick-borne diseases like Lyme are no longer just a local concern—they are a national crisis. In 2003, Lyme disease affected around 30,000 Americans. Today, the CDC estimates 476,000 new cases each year—a 1,487% increase. These illnesses are spreading across the country and public health systems are struggling to keep up.

Here’s how to help:

  1. Use this link to send a letter to your Members of Congress

  2. Share the letter campaign– a streamlined tool to voice your support in under 5 minutes.

  3. Like, comment, and share our social media posts for the campaign.

  4. Share this important advocacy effort with your community – your family, friends, and colleagues. Remember, there is power in numbers!

Visit centerforlymeaction.org to learn more and support these efforts.  Thank you for your advocacy!

Dorothy Leland is a longtime advocate and researcher focused on Lyme disease education, policy awareness, and patient support. She has contributed to numerous publications and works closely with medical professionals and organizations to improve understanding and treatment of tick-borne diseases.

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