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H.R.2877 / 109th Congress

Act for Lyme Education and Research and Tick-Borne Diseases

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 14, 2005

Act for Lyme Education and Research and Tick-Borne Diseases or the ALERT Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a five-year plan that provides for activities to be carried out to meet goals related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, including to: (1) develop a sensitive and definitive test for the diagnosis of Lyme disease capable of distinguishing active infection from past infection; (2) accurately determine the prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne disorders in the United States; (3) provide and promote access to a comprehensive, up-to-date clearinghouse of peer-reviewed information on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); and (4) establish epidemiological research goals to determine the long term course of illnesses for Lyme disease.

Directs the Secretary to request that the Institute of Medicine study chronic Lyme disease.

Authorizes additional appropriations for research and educational activities and prevention efforts for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Requires the Secretary to establish the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
23 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2877 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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