Minnesota lawmaker’s bill to combat Lyme and other tick diseases moves on

A U.S. Senate committee is advancing a proposal from Sen. Tina Smith to improve research about Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.

Smith, a Democrat, introduced the proposal with Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins. It’s also designed to beef up prevention, diagnostics and treatment for tick-borne diseases, and it’s headed to the full Senate next.

The proposal’s named the Kay Hagan Tick Act in honor of former Sen. Kay Hagan of North Carolina who died in October of complications from Powassan virus, a tick-borne infection.

The proposal would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy about the diseases.