Sponsors (13)
The bill creates a voluntary postage-based funding stream to support Lyme disease research—giving patients and researchers new resources without new taxes—but the funds will be unpredictable, partially eaten by administration costs, and may not substitute for stable congressional appropriations.
People with Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses stand to benefit from increased funding for research that could improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes via proceeds from a new semipostal stamp.
Researchers at NIAID and other scientists gain a dedicated, earmarked revenue stream (twice-yearly transfers) to support Lyme disease research projects.
Members of the public and taxpayers can voluntarily support Lyme research through purchasing a semipostal stamp instead of through new taxes or mandatory fees.
Patients, researchers, and health systems face uncertain and potentially limited funding because semipostal proceeds depend on voluntary sales and are likely less stable than direct congressional appropriations.
Taxpayers and the intended research programs may receive less net benefit because USPS production, marketing, and administration costs will reduce the share of stamp proceeds that actually reach research.
Nonprofit organizations focused on Lyme and related causes could see some donor dollars diverted to stamp purchases, meaning the stamp might not increase overall funding for research but merely shift where donations come from.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires USPS to sell a Lyme Disease Research semipostal stamp and transfer net proceeds to NIAID to fund Lyme and tick-borne disease research for at least six years.
Introduced August 15, 2025 by Josh S. Gottheimer · Last progress August 15, 2025
Creates a USPS semipostal stamp called the “Lyme Disease Research Semipostal Stamp” and requires that net proceeds from its sale be transferred at least twice yearly to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to fund research on Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses. The stamp must be offered to the public within 12 months of enactment and remain on sale for at least six years; proceeds cannot be used to offset existing NIAID appropriations.