The MISSION Act strengthens VA’s ability to deliver trusted, easy to access, high quality care at VA facilities, virtually through telehealth, and in your community. That means you get the care and services you need, where and when you need them. Beginning June 6, 2019, under the MISSION Act, you’ll have more ways to access health care. This includes within VA’s network and through approved non-VA medical providers in your community, called “community care providers.”Depending on your situation... Read more

Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) have introduced new legislation to create a new national strategy to aggressively fight Lyme disease and target an additional $180 million to boost funding for research, prevention and treatment programs. The new bipartisan bill, dubbed the TICK Act (Ticks: Identify, Control, Knockout Act) (HR 3073) is a companion to identical legislation introduced in the Senate and inspired by legislation Smith and Peterson introduced earlier this year (HR 22... Read more

Below are excerpts of remarks of Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Cochair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member on the Congressional -Executive Commission on China, at a joint hearing of the commissions on Tuesday on the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre: This joint hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Lantos Human Rights Commission—with lead witness Speaker Pelosi—underscores the importance we attach to remembering the infamous Tianan... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) was honored by the Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday with the America’s Democratic Legacy Award—the organization’s highest honor—for his bipartisan leadership in Congress in fighting anti-Semitism around the world. “It is a distinct honor to be here with such great members of Congress who care deeply. Bipartisanship is not dead, as you can see,” said Smith, a founding co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism who was recognized with t... Read more

The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Health, at a June 4 hearing of the Subcommittee on “Eradicating Ebola: Lessons Learned and Medical Advancements”: I would like to thank Chairwoman Bass for convening this very important and timely hearing. As she knows, and as some of you may remember, this subcommittee was heavily engaged in the summer of 2014 in addressing Ebola, when we were in the midst of an E... Read more

After years of effort, Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th District) told News12 New Jersey that he has no plans on giving-up the fight to get chronic Lyme disease recognized both federally and within even the medical community. Congressman Smith spoke with News12 New Jersey reporter Nadia Ramdass outside News12 New Jersey's Edison, NJ studio to discuss the fight against Lyme disease and efforts to help those suffering with the disease. Smith held a congressional town meeting last week in Monmouth County wi... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today welcomed the news that Dr. Rod Walters has been retained to lead the independent investigation into the death of Braeden Bradforth at Garden City Community College (GCCC) in Kansas. “This is an encouraging and welcomed development, given Dr. Walters’ extensive experience both in sports medicine and in conducting investigations—including the review of football player Jordan McNair’s death at the University of Maryland,” Smith said. In March, Smith joined Braeden’s mo... Read more

Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press WALL — It was a sad sight, the mother of a 5-year-old with chronic Lyme disease practically begging for help because no doctor will treat her daughter. “What can I do about this?” she asked Rep. Chris Smith, an air of desperation in her voice. That was the tenor of Wednesday’s Congressional Town Meeting on Lyme and tick-borne diseases. More than 200 people, most of them impacted by Lyme or a related ailment, came to hear Smith and his panel discuss the latest in a... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith was a guest on New Jersey 101.5 FM during the morning drive with host Bill Spadea on Thursday to talk about his May 29 Congressional town meeting on Lyme disease, and what people can do to protect themselves and their loved ones against Lyme. To listen to Bill Spadea interview Smith click here. Rep. Smith is the founder and Chairman of the Congressional Lyme Disease Caucus, and has authored more than a dozen comprehensive bills on fighting Lyme disease, focusing on the ne... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) hosted a Congressional town meeting this week on “Lyme Disease: Research, Treatment, and the Path Forward” featuring national experts who provided analysis on diagnosis and treatment of Lyme, as well as critical prevention tips. “More must be done to mitigate and over time eradicate this catastrophic disease,” said Smith. “That’s why we meet tonight. To enhance our understanding of the huge risk posed by Lyme and other tick-borne diseases while pursuing sustainable soluti... Read more