CONCORD, N.H. — May 29, 2026 — At a historic announcement at the New Hampshire State House in Concord, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became the first HHS Secretary in American history to fully recognize Lyme disease and launch a coordinated national effort aimed at improving prevention, research, diagnosis, treatment, and patient support for the millions of Americans affected by the illness. During the announcement, HHS leadership recognized the contributions of Senator Susan Collins, Congressman Chris Smith, Duvi Honig, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and the Life for Lyme Division of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, among others, for helping advance the effort.
“Americans deserve an answer. They deserve gold-standard science, and a healthcare system that treats suffering seriously,” Secretary Kennedy said during the announcement.
The announcement marks a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to a disease that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates affects approximately 476,000 Americans each year, with researchers estimating between 5 and 7 million infections over the past decade. For many patients and families, the announcement represents a long-awaited acknowledgment of a health challenge that has often lacked coordinated national attention.
Announced as part of Secretary Kennedy’s “Take Back Your Health” tour, the effort is widely viewed as the most comprehensive federal response to Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses to date. The initiative seeks to strengthen prevention, expand research, improve patient access to care, increase provider education, and enhance collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, researchers, patient advocates, and community organizations.
Building on the December 2025 HHS Lyme Disease Roundtable
Friday’s announcement follows the landmark December 2025 HHS Lyme Disease Roundtable in Washington, D.C., which marked the first time HHS formally recognized both acute and chronic Lyme disease as serious public health concerns.
The roundtable brought together federal officials, physicians, researchers, patient advocates, community organizations, and policymakers to examine the growing national impact of Lyme disease and identify opportunities for stronger federal engagement. Participants examined barriers to diagnosis, treatment, insurance coverage, research, and public awareness while identifying opportunities for a more coordinated national response.
Among those participating were Senator Susan Collins, author of the bipartisan Kay Hagan TICK Act; Congressman Chris Smith, a longtime advocate for Lyme disease patients and families; Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce; the Life for Lyme Division of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce; and numerous physicians, researchers, caregivers, and patient advocates from across the country.
Many of the priorities and recommendations raised during the roundtable ultimately became part of the federal actions announced on May 29, helping transform years of advocacy into a coordinated national response.
“This Movement Did Not Start in Government”: HHS Credits Patients, Advocates and Community Leaders
During Friday’s announcement, Dr. Kristen Honey, Chief Data Officer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and LymeX Program Manager, emphasized that the effort was built through collaboration among patients, families, caregivers, physicians, advocates, researchers, and public officials.
“Let me be clear that this movement did not start in government. It started with all of you. It started with the patients, the caregivers, the frontline providers, and the affected families who came together and formed unusual allies,” Honey said.
Honey specifically acknowledged Senator Susan Collins, Congressman Chris Smith, Duvi Honig, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and other participants in the December 2025 HHS Lyme Disease Roundtable, stating that without their efforts, “none of this would be happening.”
Federal Agencies Align Around Lyme Disease
Joining Secretary Kennedy in advancing the effort were Dr. Kristen Honey and Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Director of National Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General, who have played leading roles in shaping federal initiatives addressing Lyme disease, tick-borne illnesses, Long COVID, ME/CFS, and other infection-associated chronic conditions.
Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos highlighted the scale of the challenge facing the nation, noting that an estimated 31 million Americans are bitten by ticks each year.
“We’re going to make the invisible diseases visible now,” Haridopolos said. “We know prevention is key. We can prevent not only Lyme disease, but all the co-infections that go with it.”
The federal effort includes actions by HHS, CDC, NIH, CMS, and public-private partners to strengthen prevention efforts, expand scientific research, improve patient access to care, increase provider education, enhance public awareness, and accelerate innovation in diagnosis and treatment.
Federal officials highlighted expanded Lyme disease research efforts, new tick-control and prevention programs, updated clinical guidance, enhanced patient resources, stronger public-private partnerships, and continued efforts to improve access to experienced healthcare providers.
The Administration also reaffirmed ongoing investments of nearly $50 million annually in Lyme disease research and approximately $122 million annually in broader tick-borne disease research, while supporting continued advancements in prevention, treatment, diagnostics, and patient care.
In addition, federal officials outlined efforts to improve support for patients suffering from Lyme disease and associated co-infections, including ongoing discussions regarding access to care, provider education, reimbursement issues, and long-term treatment needs. The effort also includes strengthening collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, researchers, patient organizations, and community leaders.
Recognition of Roundtable Participants and Advocates
During the May 29 announcement, Dr. Kristen Honey specifically acknowledged Senator Susan Collins, Congressman Chris Smith, Duvi Honig, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and other participants in the December 2025 HHS Lyme Disease Roundtable, crediting the patients, caregivers, advocates, physicians, researchers, and community leaders whose efforts helped bring Lyme disease to the forefront of the national conversation.
Watch Dr. Kristen Honey credit Sen. Susan Collins, Rep. Chris Smith, Duvi Honig, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, Life for Lyme, and others for helping make this initiative possible.
Referring to the coalition that helped drive awareness and action, Honey stated that without those efforts, “none of this would be happening.”
The recognition underscored the important role that patient advocates, medical professionals, policymakers, and community organizations played in helping elevate Lyme disease as a national public health priority and laying the groundwork for the federal actions announced by HHS.
Life for Lyme and the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce
The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has worked to bring together policymakers, healthcare professionals, business leaders, and community organizations to address issues affecting families and communities across the United States.
The Life for Lyme Division of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has become a leading resource for individuals and families affected by Lyme disease and related illnesses. Through advocacy, education, outreach, referrals, and support services, Life for Lyme has assisted more than 28,000 individuals and families, helping connect patients with information, resources, healthcare guidance, and support networks.
“This announcement represents a major step forward for millions of Americans and families affected by Lyme disease,” said Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. “We are grateful to work alongside Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Kristen Honey, Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Senator Collins, Congressman Smith, and so many dedicated advocates, patients, and medical professionals. Most importantly, this initiative has the potential to save lives and bring hope to families across America.”
Looking Ahead
For millions of Americans affected by Lyme disease, Friday’s announcement represents a turning point. It reflects a growing national commitment to improving awareness, expanding research, strengthening prevention, enhancing patient support, and ensuring that those living with Lyme disease receive the attention they deserve.
As implementation moves forward, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and the Life for Lyme Division of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce remain committed to working alongside federal agencies, healthcare professionals, researchers, patient advocates, and community leaders to help ensure that individuals and families receive the support, resources, and care they deserve.