Dear Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,

We, the undersigned, urgently call on you to champion the cause of millions of Americans suffering from Lyme disease and its co-infections. The rising prevalence of chronic Lyme disease, combined with the lack of adequate treatments, diagnostic tools, and insurance coverage, has left countless individuals in debilitating pain with few options for relief. This situation is critical, and without immediate federal action, more lives will continue to be destroyed.

We, the undersigned, share your deep commitment to improving public health, environmental justice, and human rights. We know that you are driven by a passion for truth, transparency, and the well-being of all Americans. However, we believe that this disease—like so many others—has been largely ignored by our healthcare system, leaving a devastating impact on millions of lives. All Americans, regardless of their circumstances, deserve freedom from this disease, and it is time for our leaders to act.

The number of Lyme disease cases in the United States has risen dramatically in recent years, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting over 476,000 new cases annually. However, this statistic only reflects diagnosed cases, and the true scope is likely much larger due to widespread underreporting, misdiagnosis, and the limitations of current diagnostic tests. The CDC itself acknowledges that Lyme disease is vastly underreported and that the real number of cases may be 10 times higher than what is officially reported. Many individuals go undiagnosed for years or are misdiagnosed with other conditions, which allows the disease to progress into chronic Lyme disease—a persistent and debilitating illness.

Chronic Lyme disease is a complex, multi-symptom condition that often remains untreated or inadequately treated due to the shortcomings of current diagnostic methods, the lack of Lyme-literate doctors (LLMDs), and the refusal of insurance companies to cover long-term, necessary treatments such as antibiotics, IV infusions, and critical supplements. According to the Global Lyme Alliance, over 300,000 Americans may suffer from chronic Lyme disease, but this figure is likely a severe underestimation. Many of these patients experience debilitating symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, neurological impairment, and cognitive dysfunction, which can lead to a significantly reduced quality of life.

The emotional, physical, and financial toll on patients and their families is immeasurable. Families and caregivers are often forced into the role of full-time caretakers, watching their loved ones deteriorate, with no clear path to recovery. The financial burden is equally devastating, as many patients must pay out-of-pocket for the treatments that insurance refuses to cover. These costs can lead to crippling debt and economic instability.

At the same time, many dedicated and skilled doctors are working tirelessly to treat Lyme disease and its co-infections, but they face significant barriers due to bureaucratic red tape and the lack of support from the medical community, insurance companies, and government agencies. These physicians—who are working in the best interest of their patients—are often threatened with disciplinary action or even the loss of their medical licenses simply for offering treatments that could save lives. These brave healthcare professionals are being stifled, while patients continue to suffer in silence.

This issue requires immediate and comprehensive federal intervention. We are requesting that the federal government take the following critical actions:

1. Fund Comprehensive Research into the origins, spread, and long-term impact of Lyme disease and its co-infections. We need urgent, targeted studies to better understand how Lyme disease is transmitted, why its prevalence is increasing, and how climate change and environmental shifts may be contributing to the spread of Lyme disease. The lack of research has left the medical community woefully underprepared to address this epidemic.
2. Support Lyme Literate Doctors (LLMDs) by creating pathways for specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and its co-infections. There is a severe shortage of healthcare professionals who understand the complexities of chronic Lyme disease, and the lack of adequate training has left many patients without access to effective care. These doctors deserve federal backing, as they are often risking their careers to provide the care that Lyme patients desperately need.
3. Ensure Full Insurance Coverage for the full spectrum of Lyme disease treatments, including long-term antibiotics, IV therapies, and necessary supplements. Chronic Lyme patients face financial ruin because insurance companies routinely deny coverage for the treatments that are essential for recovery. The lack of insurance coverage forces many patients into financial distress or leaves them unable to access necessary care, thereby prolonging their suffering.
4. Establish a Federal Compensation Program for those affected by Lyme disease and its co-infections. Just as the federal government has provided compensation for victims of other diseases and epidemics, Lyme disease patients and their families deserve recognition and support for the pain and financial hardship they have endured. A compensation system would offer tangible support to those who have been left behind by the medical and insurance industries.

We must act now, before more lives are lost to this preventable disease. As Robert F. Kennedy Sr. once said, "The greatest crime is not what people suffer, but what they fail to prevent." Lyme disease is preventable, and with the right resources, education, and action, we can stop the devastation it causes. Additionally, in the words of President John F. Kennedy, "The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining." The time to act is now, before more individuals and families are destroyed by Lyme disease.

Millions of Americans are suffering—not just the individuals who have been diagnosed, but also their families, who are dealing with the emotional and financial toll of caring for a loved one with chronic Lyme disease. This is a national crisis, and it demands your leadership and the support of the federal government. Together, we can bring hope, healing, and justice to the millions of people whose lives have been ravaged by Lyme disease.

Thank you for your time and for considering this critical issue. We trust that with your support, we can bring real change to millions of lives and ensure that no American is left to suffer from Lyme disease and its co-infections.