Congressman Chris Smith, who serves as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, participated in a high-level roundtable on Lyme disease this week. The event was organized by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address what participants described as a growing public health crisis. Attendees included federal health officials, members of Congress, medical experts, and patients with Lyme disease. The discussion focused on new diagnostic methods, therapies, and long-term care for those affected.
Lyme disease cases are increasing across the United States, with New Jersey being one of the most impacted states. Smith has played a key role in authoring and supporting laws that increase federal funding for research into Lyme disease. He stated that the illness has not received enough attention over the years.
Kennedy acknowledged Smith’s efforts in securing important funding and raising awareness about Lyme disease at the national level. Kennedy said that federal agencies are now committed to ending what he called “gaslighting” of patients with Lyme disease. He also highlighted the need for physicians to recognize symptoms, conduct proper testing, and guide patients toward effective treatment.
During the roundtable meeting, Kennedy announced several initiatives aimed at addressing Lyme disease. These include renewing $10 million for the LymeX Innovation Accelerator through a public-private partnership to develop better diagnostic tools. Another initiative is expanding Medicare’s Chronic Care Management program to cover patients with chronic symptoms from Lyme disease, which aims to lower financial barriers and improve coordinated care.
Smith responded positively to these announcements: “beacons of hope” for patients who have long struggled to obtain answers and proper treatment.” He added that improved diagnostic standards and therapies are necessary steps toward addressing an illness many describe as both invisible and debilitating.
The meeting comes after another development in federal research on Lyme disease: recent House approval of Smith’s amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. This amendment calls for an investigation into whether ticks were used by U.S. government researchers as possible biological warfare agents during the Cold War period from 1945 to 1972. The legislation was partly inspired by rising cases in New Jersey and information from “Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons.” The Senate is expected to consider this measure soon.
Smith said uncovering how Lyme disease originated, improving diagnostics, and broadening treatment options are all important steps for helping patients and their families.
Chris Smith currently represents New Jersey’s 4th district in Congress after replacing Frank Thompson in 1981 (https://thelakewoodscoop.com/news/rfk-jr-smith-push-solutions-to-tick-borne-disease-pandemic/). Born in Rahway in 1953, Smith lives in Manchester Township and graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree.
