Act for Lyme Education and Research and Tick-Borne Diseases

H.R. 2877, the ALERT Act, would require the Department of Health and Human Services to implement a five-year plan to improve the diagnosis, tracking, and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The bill focuses on developing more accurate diagnostic tests that can distinguish between active and past infections, while also establishing a national clearinghouse of peer-reviewed medical information for healthcare providers and the public. Additionally, the legislation would create a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee and fund research into the long-term effects of chronic Lyme disease to better understand and manage the illness.