Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act

Bill Number: H.R. 4981
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-08-15: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-05-13T08:06:42Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act" (H.R. 4981) authorizes the United States Postal Service (USPS) to issue a special semipostal stamp—a type of stamp that costs more than regular postage, with the extra amount going to a specific cause—to raise voluntary public contributions for research on Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses. The funds will support efforts at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Key Provisions

Findings on Lyme Disease: The bill outlines Congress's recognition of the disease's impact, including:
An estimated 476,000 annual cases in the U.S., per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Challenges in diagnosis due to varied symptoms and unreliable tests.
Many patients experiencing ongoing symptoms after treatment, with 10-20% facing chronic, disabling effects.
Annual healthcare costs up to $1.3 billion.
Stamp Issuance: USPS must issue the "Lyme Disease Research Semipostal Stamp" under existing postal laws (section 416 of title 39, U.S. Code), which govern semipostal stamps.
Use of Proceeds: All net revenue from stamp sales (after USPS costs) will be transferred to NIAID at least twice a year specifically for Lyme and tick-borne disease research. These funds cannot be used to reduce other federal funding for NIAID.
Duration and Timeline: The stamp will be available for purchase for at least 6 years, starting no later than 12 months after the bill becomes law.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation expands the existing framework for semipostal stamps (established in 39 U.S.C. § 416) by creating a new dedicated stamp for Lyme disease research. It does not alter core postal regulations but adds protections to ensure proceeds are ring-fenced for NIAID without impacting the agency's overall budget appropriations, similar to prior semipostal programs for other causes like cancer or veterans' support.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: USPS will handle stamp production and sales, incurring minimal administrative costs covered by regular operations. NIAID and NIH will gain supplemental, non-offset funding to boost research into diagnostics, treatments, and prevention of Lyme disease, potentially accelerating scientific progress without relying solely on annual congressional budgets.
Citizens: Individuals affected by Lyme disease (or interested in supporting research) can contribute easily and voluntarily through everyday mail purchases. This may increase public awareness of the disease's prevalence and economic burden, but it imposes no mandates or costs on the public beyond the optional stamp price.
International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic health research and U.S. postal services.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Patients and Families: Those with Lyme disease or tick-borne illnesses, who may benefit from improved research outcomes addressing diagnosis, treatment, and chronic symptoms.
Healthcare Providers and Researchers: Medical professionals and scientists at NIAID/NIH, who will receive dedicated funding to advance studies on the disease.
USPS and Postal Customers: The agency manages the program, while the public (especially mail users) can participate voluntarily.
Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on tick-borne diseases, such as patient networks or the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, which informed the bill's findings.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: The bill adheres to established postal authority, ensuring compliance with semipostal stamp rules while mandating transparent fund transfers. By prohibiting offsets, it strengthens fiscal protections for research funding, reducing risks of administrative diversion.
Constitutional: No significant challenges; it involves voluntary public contributions and congressional spending power under Article I, without infringing on free speech, privacy, or state rights.
Political: Introduced bipartisanship (by Reps. Gottheimer and Bacon) highlights cross-party support for public health initiatives. It promotes awareness of underfunded diseases like Lyme, potentially influencing future health policy debates, but relies on stamp sales success for impact rather than guaranteed appropriations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (12)

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

Recent Actions

2025-08-15: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-08-15: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-08-15: Introduced in House
2025-08-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act — issued 2025-08-15 — PDF (4 pages)