Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick is leading a bipartisan legislative response to the rising number of Lyme disease and tick-borne illness cases in Pennsylvania, which has become a focal point for this public health issue. Fitzpatrick, who represents Pennsylvania’s 1st district in Congress since 2017, is recognized as a Center for Lyme Action Champion and has prioritized prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and research related to these diseases.
A central part of Fitzpatrick’s efforts is the reauthorization of the Kay Hagan TICK Act. This legislation recently passed a key Senate committee and aims to improve federal coordination, increase support for state and local health departments, and invest in scientific solutions to address the growing threat posed by tick-borne illnesses.
“The surge in Lyme cases we’re seeing today is no surprise—it’s the consequence of years of warnings met with insufficient action,” said Fitzpatrick. “I’ve been working alongside local health leaders, scientists, and advocates to change that. Together, we’ve built a bipartisan coalition and advanced serious initiatives to modernize our national response—prioritizing prevention, faster diagnostics, more effective treatments, and sustained research. This work is far from finished, and I’ll continue driving it forward until our community no longer has to face this crisis without the full weight of federal support behind it.”
In Bucks County alone, there have been 172 reported cases of Lyme disease between January 1 and May 28 this year; Montgomery County has reported 173 cases during the same period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Pennsylvania has led the country in total Lyme disease cases in 11 out of the past 12 years. The state consistently accounts for nearly one-third of all U.S. infections each year.
Experts attribute part of this rise to environmental changes such as climate shifts and land development that are increasing tick activity. Warmer winters, earlier springs, and invasive species like lone star ticks are contributing factors.
“Lyme disease is a relentless, exhausting disease with life-altering consequences. And right now, Pennsylvania is ground zero,” said Fitzpatrick. “That’s why I’ve made this a top priority. We need to double down on public health investments, support the scientific community, and provide patients with better tools and faster answers.”
National organizations have voiced their support for Fitzpatrick’s leadership on this issue.
“As one of the nation’s leading biotech hubs, the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center is proud to stand with Congressman Fitzpatrick in the fight against Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. His bipartisan leadership, commitment to science-based solutions, and support for medical innovation are helping drive the federal action needed to confront this growing public health crisis. Together, we’re working to ensure that cutting-edge research and homegrown innovation remain at the forefront of the national response—accelerating breakthroughs that will protect families across our region and beyond,” said Louis P. Kassa III MPA CEO at Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center.
“As the leading national advocacy organization for Lyme and tick-borne diseases, Center for Lyme Action is committed to ensuring the federal response matches the urgency of this growing public health crisis. This crisis is particularly evident here in Pennsylvania… In Congressman Fitzpatrick we have a trusted partner—one who understands…and leads with bipartisan resolve,” said Bonnie Porter from Center for Lyme Action.
Fitzpatrick’s legislative package includes several bills: reauthorizing national strategies through Health & Human Services (HHS), supporting innovation via programs like RADx (through measures such as The LymeX Authorization Act), expanding disability protections for children affected by long-term impacts (Children Inflicted by Lyme Disabilities Act), creating real-time notification systems about vector-borne outbreaks using AI (BITE Act), funding CDC photo-based identification pilot programs (Tick Identification Pilot Program Act), as well as raising funds through special postage stamps (Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act).
He also recently co-led two bipartisan letters urging increased research funding into these diseases within upcoming appropriations bills due to their impact on service members—and high-risk groups like children—which highlights continued concern among lawmakers regarding these illnesses’ effects nationwide.
Fitzpatrick was born in Philadelphia in 1973; he lives in Levittown today after graduating from La Salle University with a BS degree before earning his JD from Pennsylvania State University in Carlisle.
