Tick Reauthorization Act Becomes Law
Extending federal funding through 2030, the law aims to curb rising Lyme cases by directing grants to states, supporting regional research centers, and backing vaccine trials.
Overview
- President Donald Trump signed the Tick Reauthorization Act into law, creating a statutory renewal of federal programs to fight Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
- The law extends federal funding through 2030 for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants to state health departments and for regional tick-borne disease research centers.
- It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to continue implementing and to update the federal strategy on tick-borne diseases to improve surveillance, prevention and treatment.
- The statute specifically allocates money for Lyme disease vaccine trials, including funding directed to the MaineHealth Institute of Research as part of a broader push after steep case increases in some states.
- Sponsored by Sens. Susan Collins and Tina Smith with Sen. Angus King as an original co-sponsor, the bipartisan bill is named for the late Sen. Kay Hagan and its impact will depend on HHS and CDC decisions about grant awards and research priorities.