The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has unanimously approved the reauthorization of the Kay Hagan Tick Act. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

This bipartisan legislation, originally passed in 2019, provided five years of federal funding to combat Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. That funding is now set to expire.

The original bill established a national strategy to improve research, diagnostics, and prevention efforts, and supported state health departments through targeted grants. It was named in honor of former Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina, who died from complications of tick-borne Powassan virus.

The reauthorization is being led by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN), with support from Senator Angus King (I-ME) and 13 other bipartisan cosponsors.

We still need your letters to Congress

More than 6000 people have messaged their Members of Congress, urging them to co-sponsor the Kay Hagan Tick Act. That’s a good start, but we need more! It takes less than a minute and has a big impact.

Click here to send your message and then forward the link to your family, friends, and colleagues.

Have questions about the Kay Hagan Tick Act?

Click here to watch the Center for Lyme Action’s Virtual Advocate Town Hall from July 28.  which covered the following topics:

• Updates on federal Lyme and tick-borne disease policy
• Where we stand in the appropriations process
• What’s ahead for the remainder of 2025.