When it comes to taking care of seriously ill patients, the U.S. scores only a 'C'.

This comes from a new report card on the state of palliative care in America.

Palliative care programs help those with chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and diabetes; it also counsels patients and their families.

Vermont, New Hampshire and Montana did earn A's in the report, but Oklahoma, Alabama and Mississippi got F's.

This is concerning news because there are about 90-million Americans suffering from serious illnesses, and that number is expected to more than double over the next 25 years.

In other medical news…

From 1992 to 2006, officials with the Center for Disease Control say more than 240,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported in the U.S.

Children ages 5 to 14 had the highest number of cases, with 50% of those occurring in males.

Lyme disease is a multi-system disease that is spread through ticks.

CDC officials say the study shows the need for children to avoid ticks, and for early treatment interventions.