Press Releases

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hosted a roundtable with agency leaders and public officials to discuss public health policies and efforts that address Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz headlined the roundtable. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, participated in the roundtable and lent his support to policies that combat and treat Lyme disease.

Following the Lyme disease roundtable, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:

“Today’s roundtable shows we have solid commitment from Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz and lawmakers to address Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses in the United States.

“As someone who has Alpha-Gal Syndrome, I have some understanding of the health challenges that result from tickborne illnesses. In Southwest Virginia, we likely know somebody with a tickborne illness. 

“It is important to research potential treatments and to educate the public on these illnesses. As Health Subcommittee Chairman, I will continue pushing for policies that help us accomplish these goals.”

One bill discussed during the roundtable was H.R. 4348, the TICK Act. The TICK Act is meant to reauthorize key programs that increase the development of a national strategy to address tickborne diseases, improve surveillance and coordinate federal programs.

Video coverage of today’s roundtable can be viewed here.

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