Letter in Support of Reauthorization of the Kay Hagan Tick Act

Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, Majority Whip Emmer, and Conference Chair McClain,

On behalf of the Vector-Borne Disease Network (VBDN), the 32 undersigned organizations write to express our strong support for H.R. 4348, legislation to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act. We commend the leadership of Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, Health Subcommittee Chairman Morgan Griffith, and Representatives Chris Smith and Lloyd Doggett for advancing this bipartisan effort to address the growing threat of vector-borne diseases in the United States, and were delighted to see it pass out of committee by a unanimous 48-0 vote on May 21. We write today to urge you to bring this to the floor for a vote prior to the July recess before the cases of vector-borne disease begin to hit their summer peaks.

The VBDN is a coalition of non-profit organizations, scientific societies, trade associations, state departments of health, vector control groups, and educational institutions that advocates for vector-borne disease research and management funding, connects the community of vector professionals, and envisions a world where human suffering from arthropod disease vectors is reduced. Vector-borne diseases, particularly those transmitted by ticks and mosquitos, represent a rapidly expanding burden on the nation’s public health system. Incidence rates of diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and others have increased significantly over the past two decades, driven by factors including climate variability, land-use changes, and shifting wildlife host and vector distribution ranges. These trends underscore the urgent need for a coordinated, science-based national response.

The Kay Hagan Tick Act led to the development of a framework for strengthening federal coordination, enhancing surveillance and management through Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity funding for states, and supporting research, training, and coordination between public health partners and academic research institutions through the Centers for Disease Control regional Centers of Excellence on Vector-Borne. Reauthorization of this legislation will ensure continued progress in several critical areas, including improving diagnostic tools, expanding public health infrastructure, advancing integrated vector management strategies, and fostering collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies.

The VBDN advocates for effective control of vector-borne diseases through sustained investment in the science of vectors themselves including their ecology, behavior, and interactions with pathogens and hosts. Strengthening research and surveillance capacity enables earlier detection of emerging threats, more precise risk assessments, and more effective, targeted interventions. These efforts ultimately reduce healthcare costs, improve patient outcomes, and enhance community resilience. We respectfully urge the House leadership to bring H.R. 4348 to the floor, ensuring implementation of its provisions to reinforce our nation’s ability to respond proactively to the growing challenges posed by vector-borne diseases and safeguard public health.

Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to improving the health of all Americans. The VBDN stands ready to serve as a resource as you consider this important legislation. If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Erin Cadwalader, the Director of Strategic Leadership and Policy with the Entomological Society of America (ESA) who serves as the point of contact for the VBDN, at ecadwalader@entsoc.org or 240-696-3746.

Sincerely,

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges

American Mosquito Control Association

American Society for Microbiology

American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Associated Executives of Mosquito Control in New Jersey

Center for Lyme Action

Colorado State University

Colorado Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Association

Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Entomological Society of America

Florida Mosquito Control Association

Gulf Shores VECTOR Program

Hudson Regional Health Commission

Metropolitan Mosquito Control District

Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease

Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California

National Association of County & City Health Officials

National Environmental Health Association

National Pest Management Association

New Jersey State Mosquito Control Commission

North Carolina Mosquito and Vector Control Association

Northeast Regional Center for Excellence/regional training and education Center

Northeastern Mosquito Control Association

Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association

Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases

Rentokil Terminix

Rockies and High Plains Vector Borne Disease Training and Evaluation Centers

Society for Vector Ecology

Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases

VectorED Network, Vector-borne Disease Training and Evaluation Center

New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases (NEWVEC)

CC: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Pete Aguilar

Rep. Brett Guthrie, Rep. Morgan Griffith, Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Lloyd Doggett