Sponsors (37)
The bill extends federal support and strengthens HHS capacity to detect and respond to vector‑borne diseases through 2030—benefiting state/local public health systems and vulnerable communities—at the cost of increased federal spending and somewhat reduced transparency about advisory roles.
State and local public health agencies will continue receiving federal authorization and support through 2030 for vector‑borne disease strategy and regional center activities, preserving funding and coordination for state/local programs.
HHS programs are directed to increase capacity to identify, report, prevent, and respond to vector‑borne diseases, improving outbreak detection and response capabilities for hospitals, public health systems, and communities.
Continuity of authorization and funding reduces the risk of service gaps for patients and communities that rely on surveillance, prevention, and response programs (including rural communities and people with chronic conditions).
Extending authorizations can increase federal spending obligations, which may raise costs for taxpayers or crowd out other budget priorities.
Replacing a specific stakeholder reference with a generic "appropriate individuals" could reduce transparency about who advises HHS on tick‑borne disease policy and weaken public accountability.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
Broadens stakeholder language, adds capacity-building duties, and extends authorization periods for federal vector-borne disease programs through 2030.
Official title: To reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 10, 2025 by Christopher Henry Smith · Last progress July 10, 2025
Updates two Public Health Service Act provisions that support federal and state efforts on vector-borne diseases by replacing a narrowly cross-referenced stakeholder phrase with broader language, adding a capacity-building clause to improve identification, reporting, prevention, and response, and extending existing program authorization periods from 2021–2025 to 2026–2030. The changes apply to HHS programs addressing vector-borne disease strategy, regional centers, and health-department support and take effect when the amendments are enacted.