Representatives Maloney and Gibson Announce Passage of Major Bipartisan Lyme Disease Legislation
Joined by Local Health Professionals, Maloney and Gibson Continue Push for New Standards for Treatment of Tick-Borne Illnesses
Legislation Prioritizes Federal Research on Lyme and Related Diseases and Gives Patients, Advocates, and Physicians a Seat at the Table
Poughkeepsie, NY — Today, Representatives Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and Chris Gibson (NY-18), joined by local health professionals, highlighted their legislation to fight Lyme disease at the Dutchess County Department of Health. The Tick-Borne Disease Research Transparency and Accountability Act, legislation authored by Representative Gibson and originally co-sponsored by Representative Maloney to fight Lyme disease and related illnesses, was adopted as part of the broader 21st Century Cures Act. Last week, the 21st Century Cures Act passed the House of Representatives 344-77. Maloney and Gibson were joined by Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Dutchess County Commissioner of Health Kari Reiber, MD to discuss the impact their legislation on the fight against Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
“Folks in the Hudson Valley know the debilitating impacts of Lyme disease all too well; this legislation will make the investments needed to help them in their fight,” said Representative Maloney. “Passing our legislation as a part of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act is a huge step towards that goal, and I’m grateful to work with Rep. Gibson to get this bill across the finish line so that we can move closer to finding a cure for tick-borne illnesses once and for all.”
“The bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act will help save and improve the lives of countless people afflicted with medical conditions that lack effective treatments, including Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses,” said Congressman Gibson. “Our provisions will bring relief to a long-suffering population, especially our chronic Lyme sufferers, and I am grateful to Congressman Maloney for his continued support of this constituent-driven legislation.”
The provisions on tick-borne illnesses in the 21st Century Cures Act create an interagency working group consisting of federal agencies and non-federal partners, including experienced Lyme physicians and patient advocates with a broad spectrum of scientific viewpoints. The working group is tasked with ensuring coordination among federal agencies like the NIH and CDC to maximize research priorities.
The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with the working group to submit a strategic plan to Congress within three years that includes benchmarks to measure progress. The plan must include a proposal for improving outcomes of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, including progress related to chronic or persistent symptoms, infections, and co-infections.
