LDA President Appointed to HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group 

The Lyme Disease Association (LDA) reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on November 22, 2017, the appointment of 14 members, 7 federal and 7 non-federal, to the new HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. Lyme Disease Association President Pat Smith was one of 7 non-federal appointees to the Working Group, which was established through passage of the 21st Century Cures legislation. The purpose of the Working Group is to review all HHS efforts related to tick-borne diseases to provide expertise and help ensure interagency coordination and minimize overlap, examine research priorities and identify unmet needs.

Swearing In of HHS Working Group Members, including Pat Smith, LDA Pres. (5th from L)The Lyme Disease Association (LDA) reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on November 22, 2017, the appointment of 14 members, 7 federal and 7 non-federal, to the new HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. Lyme Disease Association President Pat Smith was one of 7 non-federal appointees to the Working Group, which was established through passage of the 21st Century Cures legislation. 

The purpose of the Working Group is to review all HHS efforts related to tick-borne diseases to provide expertise and help ensure interagency coordination and minimize overlap, examine research priorities and identify unmet needs.

As per the establishing legislation, the Working Group consists of a diverse set of stakeholders, including physicians and other medical providers with experience in diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases; scientists or researchers with expertise in this field; patients and family members; patient advocatesPat Smith, LDA Pres. being sworn in to HHS TBDWG; and federal experts who work in related areas.

The Working Group will hold its inaugural public meetings on Dec. 11, 2017, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, and Dec. 12, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, in the Great Hall of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 

Signup for public to attend the meeting in DC or online, by December 8 (click here) 

HHS press release on the Working Group (click here)

HHS Working Group Website (click here)

Videos of Meetings 1 and 2 of the HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (click here)

Transcripts, Agenda, and Videos of HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group Meetings 1 and 2 (click here)

Congressman Chris Smith Newsletter Article on HHS Working Group (click here)

“A Golden Opportunity for Change on Chronic Lyme Disease” by Jerry Carino in Asbury Park Press (click here)