posted
copying it here for me to read since it's timenewroman thatrunsallwordstogether likethisforme. uffda...
phobic, thanks for finding/posting!
it actually should go in the activism or medical board vs. support ok for future...
Smith legislation calls for more efforts against Lyme
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) has announced the introduction of a bill to combat Lyme disease, and thanked original co-sponsors Congressmen Bart Stupak (D-Michigan), Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) and Tim Holden (D-Pennsylvania).
According to a press release, Smith is the sponsor of the "Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2009."
The measure, H.R. 1179, would expand federal efforts concerning the prevention, education, treatment and research activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including the establishment of a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.
Smith, Stupak, Wolf and Holden are co-chairs of the House Lyme Disease Caucus.
H.R. 1179 authorizes what Smith said is a much-needed increase in total research and education of $100 million over five years.
The bill also contains measures to ensure that resources are expended effectively to provide the most benefit to people with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
It also seeks improved surveillance and prevention and clinical outcomes research to determine the long-term course of the illness and effectiveness of different treatments.
The Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee would ensure coordination and communication among many federal agencies, a broad range of medical professionals, and patients, according to the press release.
"Lyme is one of the most prevalent diseases in the U.S. today," said Smith. "About 220,000 Americans develop Lyme disease each year, and we suspect that number is a conservative estimate.
This bill provides a comprehensive national effort to step up the fight against this ever-growing threat. My state of New Jersey is particularly hard hit."
While Lyme accounts for 90 percent of tick-borne diseases in the U.S., the same tick species spreads other diseases, such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
Other tick species spread diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and southern tick-associated illness.
More than 30 affiliate organizations of the Lyme Disease Association Inc., headquartered in Jackson, in Smith's district, support the measure.
According to the press release, Lyme disease can lead to chronic illness and can affect every system in the body, including the central nervous system.
Advanced symptoms include arthritis of weight-bearing joints, neurological and cardiac problems, encephalopathy and memory problems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that from 1992 to 2006, the incidence of Lyme disease was highest among children ages 5 to 14.
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