U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

06/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/02/2026 15:12

WTAS: HHS Unveils Sweeping Plan to Combat Lyme Disease and Advance Treatment

CONCORD, NH - On May 29, 2026, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a series of major initiatives to strengthen the nation's response to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. HHS actions include a multi-million-dollar pilot program focused on tick control, up to $2.5 million in innovation challenges, funding for NIH researchers to combat Alpha-gal syndrome, and a public-private collaboration to help patients connect with experienced providers.

Secretary Kennedy delivered these announcements during a press conference in New Hampshire - one of the states hardest hit by Lyme disease - after convening a roundtable with state lawmakers and Lyme disease advocates as part of his "Take Back Your Health" tour.

Here's how leaders, advocates, and the media are responding to Secretary Kennedy's actions:

Advocates & Organizations
Government Officials
Influencers & Members of the Media
Medical Professionals & Academics
Headlines

Advocates & Organizations:

  • Project Lyme (@ProjectLyme) via X: "BIG NEWS FOR THE LYME COMMUNITY. @HHSGov has just announced a series of major new initiatives aimed at tackling Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Check out some of the key changes in this encouraging announcement…"
  • Global Lyme Alliance (@LymeAlliance) via X: "New federal Lyme disease initiatives have been announced by HHS, including a tick control pilot program, up to $2.5M in innovation challenges, efforts related to alpha-gal syndrome, and measures aimed at improving access to care..."
  • Center for Lyme Action (@Lymeaction) via X: "Today @SecKennedy announced @Lymedisease initiatives including recommending support for the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act..."
  • Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota (@CIDRAP) via X: "HHS announces plan to reduce, better treat Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome. The plan includes funding for a pilot program aimed at controlling tick populations and finding better Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome treatments."
  • Sophia Sargent, Lyme disease survivor, via LinkedIn: "Yesterday was a day I never thought I would see. As someone whose entire family has been impacted by Lyme disease, I had the honor of joining advocates, researchers, patients, and leaders as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new initiatives focused on Lyme disease prevention, patient support, research, and innovation. For years, Lyme patients have fought to make an invisible illness visible. Today, our voices were heard. I am grateful to the Center for Lyme Action, Dr. Kristen Honey, Meghan Bradshaw, Secretary Kennedy, and the Department of Health and Human Services for getting me here and always bringing attention to a disease that affects so many families, including my own...This is more than an announcement. It's hope for every patient who has ever felt unheard. The future of Lyme disease must be one of prevention, innovation, early detection, and patient-centered care. Today felt like a meaningful step in that direction, and I am honored to be part of the conversation."
  • Nicole Malachowski (@RealMalachowski), tick borne illness patient advocate, via X: "This is a big deal for me and my community. Now let's turn these words into action…and action into impact."
  • Nicole Malachowski (@RealMalachowski), tick borne illness patient advocate, via X: "This is a significant step in the right direction for Lyme Disease & Tick Illness patients."
  • Debra Tisler (@Debra_Tisler), Virginian previously inflicted with Lyme disease, via X: "…When I hear about efforts to connect patients with experienced physicians, I cannot help but think about how different that journey might have been if those resources had existed when my family and I needed them most. Thank you, @SecKennedy, and everyone involved for making this resource available. It will help patients and families find knowledgeable care more quickly and may spare others from some of the uncertainty, delays, and suffering that so many of us experienced."
  • MAHA Action (@MAHA_Action) via X: "RFK Jr. says tick-borne diseases are spreading at rates never before seen in American history. 'Doctors diagnose 476,000 Americans with Lyme disease every year.' 'This spring, Americans visited an emergency room for tick bites more than any other time in history.' 'A clear sign that this threat is growing.' 'Lyme disease affects all 50 states.'"
  • MAHA Institute (@MAHA_Institute) via X: "Secretary Kennedy made a major announcement about new actions to tackle Lyme disease and other diseases transmitted to humans by ticks. He expressed sympathy for those suffering from the 'invisible illness,' declaring an end to the era of 'gaslighting' patients. HHS pledged to reduce Lyme disease spread by 25% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels through stronger patient support, standardized treatment protocols, improved diagnostics, and advanced therapies."
  • Children's Health Defense contributor, Katie Wright (@katiewr31413491), via X: "Finally! The @CDCgov has been screwing up Lyme disease long enough."
  • Lisa Mazur (@LisaMazurNH), Turning Point Action State Director for NH, via X: "It was an honor to meet Secretary RFK Jr. at the State House today and hear about new efforts to address Lyme disease. An important conversation for New Hampshire and beyond. Go MAHA!!"
  • Committee to Elect House Republicans (@CTEHR) via X: "'New Hampshire is leading the nation in Making America Healthy Again' says @SecKennedy"

Government Officials:

  • Rep. John James (@RepJames) via X: "Ticks are a growing problem in Michigan. This announcement about combating Lyme disease is great news. Thank you for hearing our concerns and acting @SecKennedy"
  • NH Senate President Sharon Carson (@NHSenPresident) via X: "The #NH Legislature hosted @SecKennedy for a roundtable discussion on Lyme disease ahead of his announcement outlining how HHS plans to strengthen prevention, improve treatment, and address the growing impact of this disease on communities across the country."
  • NH House of Reps (@NHHouseofReps) via X: "Today, Speaker Packard joined HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., legislators, advocates, and public health leaders at the State House for an announcement on Lyme disease awareness and prevention efforts."
  • Victoria Sullivan (@victoria4nh), NH Senator and former Assistant Majority Leader in the NH House, via X: "It was an honor to meet @SecKennedy today. He has an honest desire to make America healthy again. I thank him for his attention to the issue of Lyme disease which impacts so many Americans."
  • Victoria Sullivan (@victoria4nh), NH Senator and former Assistant Majority Leader in the NH House, via X: "This is how much hate is exuded from the left. Secretary Kennedy came here to discuss the approach the Trump Administration is taking to combat Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a growing concern. My husband was diagnosed with it a few years back. Alpha Gal is prevalent in MA and is spreading. My brother-in-law was diagnosed with it a few months ago. That just shows how common tick borne illnesses are. YET people on the left want to disparage this work simply because it is being done by Sec Kennedy and the Trump administration. If this was under Biden and Kennedy was still a Dem they would be applauding it. We should all want a healthier American. Attacking Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses is an important step. These illnesses can be debilitating for life."

Influencers & Members of the Media:

  • Ainsley Earhardt (@ainsleyearhardt), Fox News Host, via X: "RFK JR. unveils new efforts to combat Lyme Disease @DrMarcSiegel"
  • Ainsley Earhardt (@ainsleyearhardt), Fox News Host, via Fox News: "This scares us so badly, especially as parents, and especially living in the northeast because we see a lot of tick bites up here."
  • Rich DiPentima, InDepth NH writer, via article: "On Friday, DHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited New Hampshire to promote improved treatment, diagnostics and prevention strategies to reduce the burden of Lyme disease. I applaud Mr. Kennedy's efforts to improve the much needed advancements in Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment…"
  • Kris Newby (@krisnewby), medical science writer and author via X: "A big step in the right direction for #Lyme sufferers."
  • Kevin Landrigan (@KlandriganUL), award winning NH reporter, via X: "RFK's announcement includes $172 million in research of Lyme and other tickborne illnesses and $2.5 million in competition for public and business to present innovations and their stories."
  • Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) via X: "RFK Jr. Aims to Cut Lyme Disease. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on May 29 that the federal government is funding a new pilot program to reduce Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks. Kennedy stated that millions of Americans with Lyme and tick-borne illnesses have struggled for diagnoses, treatments, and care, and the Trump administration is launching an ambitious effort for better prevention, research, and support…"
  • Mikki Willis (@MikkiWillis) via X: "Thank you @SecKennedy for finally getting people impacted by Lyme help. There are so many people we know who have not had the support they need for decades."
  • Lily Tang Williams (@Lily4Liberty) via X: "Thank you @SecKennedy for coming to New Hampshire and speaking about this from our State Capitol in Concord!"
  • Michael Hennessey (@Snowflake_News), founder of Snowflake News, via X: "RFK Jr. Says Lyme Disease Crisis Has Made U.S. Woods Unsafe - 'Parents Have to Worry About Their Children Going to the Woods'"
  • Don Keith (@RealDonKeith), host of The Real Beef with Don Keith, via X: "RFK Jr. warns it's no longer safe for Americans to go into the woods. Lyme disease exploding with 476,000 diagnoses yearly and over 60% of ticks in New Hampshire carrying the bacteria. Hiking, hunting, fishing - all part of the American experience now turned into a nightmare."
  • MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) via X: "RFK JR: Very concerning…More than 60% of Black Legged TICKS tested in New Hampshire have been found to carry the Bacterium that causes Lyme Disease…"
  • Paula Wilson (@pwilsondtf) via X: "Now this is major great news"

Medical Professionals & Academics:

  • Dr. Marc Siegel, NYU Langone Health Professor and Fox News health contributor, via Fox News: "We're moving into an era thanks to Kennedy and his initiatives where we're gonna be able to test that tick right away. We're also gonna have much earlier testing for Lyme disease instead of waiting weeks because if I do the Lyme disease test now that's commercially available, it's going to be negative at the beginning most of the time…Kennedy is featuring that too. He says we're missing a lot of chronic Lyme and I completely agree with him on that."
  • Dr. Neil Stone (@DrNeilStone), infectious diseases doctor and clinician-scientist, via X: "I see a lot of patients with Lyme disease and suspected Lyme. I support any efforts to improve diagnosis, treatment and understanding of this infection…"
  • Margaret Fonder, M.D., F.A.A.D. (@margaret_fonder), dermatologist via X: "This is fantastic news! Lyme disease is something I see frequently in practice, and stronger federal efforts in research and patient care are absolutely needed."
  • Steven Phillips, M.D. (@StevePhillipsMD), researcher and author via X: "New @HHSGov Lyme plan: Tick control programs, $2.5M in innovation challenges, NIH funding, & connecting patients to docs. Lyme: Dismissed for decades, the tide may finally be turning…"
  • Dr. Kasey Holland (@drkaseyholland), naturopathic physician via X: "Improved access to care needs to include streamlined and effective early detection testing."
  • Dr. Kasey Holland (@drkaseyholland), naturopathic physician via X: "It is encouraging to see @seckennedy and @hhsgov working with @ilads…Patient's should not have to fight for proper care when they are exhausted and sick. What an incredible #Lymediseaseawareness month."
  • Dr. Ahmad Rehan Khan (@AhmadRehanKhan) via X: "Lyme disease is a very real illness that can be severely debilitating and, in some cases, leave patients with long lasting symptoms that significantly impact quality of life. Any effort to improve its diagnosis, treatment, and understanding should be welcomed…"

Headlines:

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services published this content on June 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 02, 2026 at 21:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]