The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) held a roundtable on December 15, 2025, bringing together Lyme disease patients, clinicians, and researchers to discuss diagnostics and clinical needs. The event was moderated by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to address chronic illnesses affecting millions of Americans.
“For decades, Americans suffering from Lyme disease have been denied the accurate diagnostics and meaningful care they deserve,” said Secretary Kennedy. “Today’s actions push us decisively toward reliable testing and treatment grounded in the real-world experiences of patients. We are committed to delivering the tools that families have waited far too long to receive.”
Participants at the roundtable shared their personal experiences with Lyme disease and offered recommendations for improving care and advancing research efforts. Lawmakers including Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) took part in the discussions.
During the event, HHS announced it would renew the LymeX Innovation Accelerator partnership with the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. Launched in 2020, LymeX is described as the largest public-private partnership focused on improving Lyme disease diagnostics and care. The $10 million initiative aims to advance artificial intelligence tools that can help detect Lyme disease earlier and more accurately across different stages of infection.
According to HHS, an estimated five to seven million Americans have contracted Lyme disease over the past decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme each year. Current diagnostic tests often fail to identify early or late-stage infections, limiting access to appropriate evaluation and care. For up to 20 percent of patients, symptoms persist into chronic conditions associated with Lyme infection.
The renewed LymeX effort will focus on expanding patient-centered innovation and developing next-generation diagnostics using AI-enabled methods and advanced biological tools. These approaches aim to improve understanding of persistent symptoms caused by Lyme bacteria. HHS plans to support this work through a national strategy emphasizing open data sharing, transparent research practices, and direct engagement with patients.
“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, I am honored to join Secretary Kennedy and other distinguished stakeholders, such as my fellow members of Congress, experts, and patients, in discussing the present state and future possibilities of Lyme disease diagnostics, treatments, and therapies. This chronic, debilitating 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,” said Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ). “I am very grateful for Secretary Kennedy’s longstanding commitment to uncovering the origins, investigating the comorbidities, and developing new diagnostics and treatments for Lyme disease—significantly improving the qualities of life and care for patients. Lyme patients deserve answers, and under Secretary Kennedy’s phenomenal leadership, the HHS is steadfastly working towards procuring them.”
“Today’s roundtable shows we have solid commitment from Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz and lawmakers to address Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses in the United States. As someone who has Alpha-Gal Syndrome, I have some understanding of the health challenges that result from tickborne illnesses,” said Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA). “It is important to research potential treatments and to educate the public on these illnesses. As Health Subcommittee Chairman, I will continue pushing for policies that help us accomplish these goals.”
The department also highlighted that CMS has issued guidance clarifying its support for beneficiaries with Lyme disease through its Chronic Care Management program. This measure aims to expand access to coordinated care while reducing financial barriers for Medicare patients managing complex or long-term conditions.
HHS stated it remains focused on strengthening prevention strategies as well as diagnosis protocols for people affected by Lyme disease or related chronic conditions using current scientific evidence.
