S2398-119

What This Bill Does

This bill reauthorizes federal programs addressing tick-borne diseases (such as Lyme disease) for five additional years, from 2026 through 2030. The original Kay Hagan Tick Act created programs for research, surveillance, and prevention of tick-borne diseases; this legislation extends their authorization period and makes administrative updates to streamline coordination.

Who Benefits and How

• Patients and individuals affected by tick-borne diseases benefit from continued federal funding for research, surveillance, and prevention programs that help detect and treat conditions like Lyme disease.
• Public health agencies and researchers benefit from extended program authorization, providing stable funding for ongoing tick-borne disease research and epidemiological surveillance efforts.
• Healthcare providers benefit from continued development of diagnostic tools and treatment guidelines for tick-borne illnesses.

Who Bears the Burden and How

• The federal government bears the cost of continuing these public health programs, though no specific new appropriations are mandated in this reauthorization.
• No new regulatory burdens are imposed on private entities or individuals.

Key Provisions

• Extends authorization for tick-borne disease programs under Section 317U of the Public Health Service Act from 2025 to 2030
• Extends authorization for related programs under Section 2822(c) of the Public Health Service Act from 2025 to 2030
• Streamlines coordination language by changing "in coordination with" to "acting through" for administrative clarity
• Removes reference to the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, allowing consultation with "appropriate individuals" instead