President Signed Tick Disease Research Act into Law
The new federal legislation expands testing and treatment initiatives for tick-borne illnesses nationwide.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in COVID-19
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The President has officially signed the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act into law to boost research and public health strategies for tick-borne diseases. This legislation aims to address the rising prevalence of infections like Lyme disease across the United States.
Why it matters
The law reauthorizes Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease for five years, ensuring continued implementation of the Department of Health and Human Services' national strategy to combat these illnesses.
In 2024, Minnesota reported 3,551 cases of Lyme disease, 627 cases of anaplasmosis, 89 cases of babesiosis, and 14 cases of Powassan virus. The new act provides a five-year reauthorization for Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease.
The players
Kay Hagan
The former U.S. Senator died in 2019 following a struggle with the Powassan virus.
Department of Health and Human Services
This federal agency manages the National Public Health Strategy for Vector-Borne Diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC administers the grants to state health departments that are reauthorized under the new law.
The details
The act mandates the continued implementation of the Department of Health and Human Services' National Public Health Strategy for Vector-Borne Diseases. By reauthorizing CDC grants to state health departments, the law strengthens infrastructure for diagnosing and managing illnesses spread by ticks.
Timeline
October 28, 2019: Senator Kay Hagan died from complications of the Powassan virus.
2024: Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases of Lyme disease.
August 2026: The U.S. Senate passed the legislation.
Mid-September 2026: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill.
October 5, 2026: The President signed the act into law.
Deeper Dive
The legislation is tethered to the National Public Health Strategy for Vector-Borne Diseases, which guides federal efforts to monitor and mitigate illnesses. It extends the program's reach by securing multi-year funding for regional centers and state-level testing initiatives.
The act aims to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnostic testing for tick-borne diseases, which may lead to earlier treatment for those bitten. Patients in high-risk areas can expect more robust support for local health department initiatives regarding tick monitoring and prevention.
The takeaway
The reauthorization of regional disease centers provides a stable framework for long-term research into emerging tick-borne threats. Residents in endemic areas should continue to prioritize tick prevention measures while federal health surveillance capacity scales up.
Further reading
Learn more about federal health initiatives at COVID-19.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gold Rush Cam.
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Should the federal government increase funding for tracking and treating tick-borne illnesses?
