On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) brought together Lyme disease patients, clinicians, and researchers for a roundtable focused on diagnostics and clinical needs. The session was led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., fulfilling commitments from the Make America Healthy Again Commission Strategy Report to address chronic illnesses affecting many Americans.
During the event, Rep. Morgan Griffith stated: “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. In Southwest Virginia, we likely know somebody with a tickborne illness.”
Dr. Andrew Handel, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, commented via NewsDay: “Lyme disease is a major problem on Long Island and the problem is only getting worse each year…We are happy to receive that attention and focus whenever possible because we want to increase awareness, not just treatment and diagnosis, but prevention... We know that antibiotics work very well but for reasons that we still don't understand, there's a subset of patients who have persistent symptoms after the infection is resolved and the bacteria is gone…It needs to be a larger focus for the research community and that’s something we would definitely pursue if funding becomes available.”
Secretary Kennedy shared personal experiences at the roundtable: “RFK Jr. says Lyme disease has made the woods dangerous for everyone. ‘I spend a lot of my life in the woods, and that experience has now become hazardous across this country’ ‘I remember one day in 1987 when I stood in my bathtub and picked 29 ticks off myself.’ ‘That was typical in Bedford.’ ‘The MAHA movement is trying to get children to be active, to get them to go outside, to get them to experience nature, not only because that's gonna benefit them physically, but also the spiritual connection that we get to God.’ ‘We’ve got to figure out a way to make it safe for children to go back in the woods again.’”
The LivLyme Foundation highlighted patient advocacy during the event: “Today is the day. We’re on our way to US Department of Health and Human Service’s HQ in Washington, D.C. for the historic Lyme Disease Roundtable with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—and Olivia will be there as a patient representative, carrying the voices of so many who have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, and left waiting far too long. This moment is bigger than one family. It’s for every patient fighting to be seen, every parent advocating for their child, and every person who’s been told ‘it’s all in your head.’ Hope is rising. Live today at 2:00 PM EST on the HHS YouTube page. Lyme community—drop a or share one thing you want leaders to hear today.”
The Center for Lyme Action announced new federal resources: “NEW A new #lyme disease page was launched today at HHS. https://hhs.gov/lyme/index.html Thank you to all #Lyme advocates for making your voices heard and advancing the cause with our federal government! @BayAreaLyme @Lymenews @ProjectLyme @LymeBiobank @coloradoticks @TexasLyme”
Similarly, LymeDisease.org confirmed new information availability through an online resource: “The @HHSGov acknowledge that there is a great deal of new information. Today they launched a new webpage where this information will be available. LINK HERE: https://hhs.gov/lyme/index.html”
Bay Area Lyme Foundation recognized increased government engagement: "Today’s @HHSGov roundtable marked a monumental day for millions suffering from chronic Lyme! As per @SecKennedy @NIHDirector_Jay @DrOz: NO MORE GASLIGHTING! Chronic Lyme is not a psychological condition! It’s a dangerous infection that demands funding, accurate tests, cures!"
Other participants echoed similar sentiments about changes in how chronic Lyme disease will be treated by public health agencies.
As part of its efforts against tickborne diseases like Lyme disease—which continue spreading throughout various regions—HHS launched an updated web resource providing expanded information about diagnosis and treatment options (https://hhs.gov/lyme/index.html).
Media coverage noted statements from both officials and advocates suggesting increased research funding could soon follow these announcements.
