House Passes Lyme Disease Research Bill

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would organize research for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

The Tick-borne Disease Research Transparency and Accountability Act of 2014 would help prevent the spreading of the disease in Massachusetts, which has some of the highest incident rates of Lyme disease in the country, Congressman William Keating said.

Under the bill, a group of Lyme physicians and patient advocates would work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services on a plan to submit to Congress in three years. The plan must improve the detection, treatment and prevention of tick-borne diseases.

“I know how devastating tick-borne diseases are for those who suffer from them,” said Keating, who cosponsored the bill and is a member of the Congressional Lyme Disease Caucus.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease is spreading. Around 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed each year, generally affecting children and senior citizens, the CDC reported.

The bill would be the first federal legislation that addresses Lyme disease.

“This bill represents an important first step in a major victory for those who suffer from Lyme,” said Ron Gangemi, executive director of Lyme Awareness of Cape Cod.