Democratic New York Congressman Antonio Delgado has introduced legislation to raise funds for Lyme disease research. He did so with fellow members of the congressional Lyme Disease Caucus.
The Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act is a bipartisan measure that would create a postage stamp to supplement congressionally-appropriated research funding for the National Institutes of Health to research treatments for Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Delgado, of the 19th District, spoke on the House floor Thursday.
“From 2007 to 2017, Lyme disease cases rose by 78 percent in my district, and approximately half of adult deer ticks in the state carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease,” said Delgado. “We should be doing all we can to address this and invest in more effective ways to both diagnose and treat this disease.”
In October, the National Institutes of Health announced a strategic research plan to help combat Lyme and tick-borne diseases.