Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, participated in a roundtable on Tuesday with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The meeting focused on improving diagnostics, treatment options, and long-term care for people affected by Lyme disease.
The event at HHS included senior federal officials, lawmakers such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, medical experts, and patients.
Smith has authored several laws to increase federal investment in Lyme disease research. He said the meeting addressed gaps and opportunities in diagnosing and treating the illness.
“This chronic, life-altering disease—which continues to rise throughout the United States, including and especially in my home state of New Jersey—deserves the federal government’s undivided attention and assistance,” Smith said.
During the roundtable, Kennedy announced new initiatives to strengthen federal efforts against Lyme disease. These include renewing the $10 million LymeX Innovation Accelerator public-private partnership supported by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation for developing better diagnostic tools—a program Smith has advocated funding for.
Kennedy also stated that CMS will expand its Chronic Care Management program to cover individuals with Lyme disease and related conditions. This aims to improve access to coordinated care and reduce financial barriers for those with persistent symptoms.
“One of the reasons we wanted to host this meeting is to announce to the world that the gaslighting of Lyme patients is over,” Kennedy said. He added that HHS wants physicians nationwide better equipped to recognize, test for, and treat Lyme disease.
Kennedy noted his own family’s experience with Lyme disease as part of his call for more awareness and research.
Smith described the discussion as a turning point for patients who have argued that Lyme disease is underdiagnosed and undertreated.
“Lyme patients have suffered in silence for far too long,” Smith said. “With stronger diagnostic criteria and improved treatment options, we can work toward finally finding a cure for this invisible yet debilitating illness.”
The roundtable followed recent congressional action regarding Lyme research: last week, an amendment authored by Smith passed in the U.S. House as part of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment directs a review into whether U.S. agencies conducted research between 1945-1972 using ticks as potential vectors for biological warfare agents—specifically involving Spirochaetales and Rickettsiales bacteria types—with Senate consideration expected soon.
Smith said he was motivated by high rates of Lyme in New Jersey—as well as findings from “Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons” by Kris Newby—and statements from Dr. Willy Burgdorfer about tick-related pathogen work during his time as a federal researcher.
Smith emphasized ongoing federal engagement is needed to improve outcomes nationwide for those living with Lyme disease.
Chris Smith has represented New Jersey’s 4th district in Congress since 1981 after succeeding Frank Thompson (https://lakewoodalerts.com/congressman-smith-joins-rfk-jr-for-lyme-disease-roundtable/). He was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953; he currently lives in Manchester Township after graduating from The College of New Jersey with a BS degree.
