Topic: GOVERNOR RELL SIGNED THE LYME DISEASE BILL!!! 6-21-09
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Governor signs bill, shielding doctors in treatment of Lyme disease
Written by Jack Sanders
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Governor M. Jodi Rell said Sunday she has signed a bill allowing doctors to prescribe long-term antibiotics in the treatment of persistent Lyme disease - outside of standard guidelines - without fear of sanctions from state health regulators if the patient's clinical diagnosis of the tick-borne disease and treatment have been documented by a licensed physician.
``Doctors in Connecticut - the absolute epicenter of Lyme disease - can continue to do what is best for their patients suffering from this complex illness. I think most people know someone who has been infected,'' Governor Rell said.
``The bill also recognizes that Lyme disease patients must have the freedom to choose which remedy or regimen best meets their needs.''
The disease gets its name from the shoreline town of Lyme, Connecticut, where in 1975 a cluster of children and adults there experienced uncommon arthritic symptoms Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected deer ticks. Symptoms include a rash, fatigue, headache, fever, and achy muscles and joints.
Later symptoms may include arthritis, neurological problems, and heart problems.
House Bill 6200, which gained broad bipartisan support in the Legislature, was prompted by an ongoing debate in the medical community.
Some health organizations have questioned the existence of chronic Lyme disease and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has cautioned against the long-term use of antibiotics. Some physicians were hesitant to treat patients outside the IDSA guidelines because of potential reprimands from medical boards and insurance companies.
``Doctors will have the right to use treatment guidelines based on their clinical experience and best medical judgment,'' Governor Rell said. ``This bill does not, however, shield any physician who provides substandard care.''
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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THE WORMS ARE SLITHERING BACK INTO THEIR HOLES LEST THEY BE CRUSHED AND SPLATTERED.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
My whole family is relieved!! Even though we live in NY, we can travel to Ct, and have done so in order to have Dr. J save our daughter's life.
Posts: 524 | From Hudson Valley, NY | Registered: Jul 2007
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bettyg
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posted
now get busy monday and CALL GOV. RELL'S OFFICE to thank her, email/fax, or snail mail a since thank you for what she has done for our nation !!
BIG TIME CHANGES ARE COMING !! xox
this is posted also on the zemel thread where the imposter/wormser attacked me ...
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Pinelady
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Member # 18524
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Amen
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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seekhelp
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Member # 15067
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The real question is will any physicians outside of the select LLMDs actually have the guts to treat w/long-term Abx? I doubt it'll enact any changes there, but it'll save Dr. J's legal battle. He'll win there.
Just because a law exists, it doesn't mean docs won't feel ashamed to conflict with the all-knowing IDSA gods.
I am very glad it passed and it's wonderful to see any change. I know so many worked so hard and congratulations.
I didn't read the bill in totality, but it sounds like the physician still has some burden to prove Bb is persistent. I wouldn't be surprised to see docs still get hit with misconduct allegations unless the IDSA changes their whole protocol worldwide.
This will never happen in OR, MI, and states where ticks don't live. We all know the signs at the border that tell ticks to stay in New England. You can't treat what doesn't exist geographically so we can hold our breath until we turn blue thinking this will have a global trickle effect. Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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Lymeorsomething
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Good stuff. I believe she knew people impacted by the disease so this helped her make the right decision...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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"The bill provides the definition for Lyme disease which includes ``the presence in a patient of signs and symptoms compatible with acute infection with Borrelia burgdorferi; or with late stage or persistent or chronic infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, or with complications related to such an infection.'' It also defines clinical diagnosis as determined by a physician ``...that is based on knowledge obtained through the medical history and physical examination alone, or in conjunction with the testing that provides supportive data for such clinical diagnosis.'' In addition, it provides for updating the Lyme disease definition if other strains are found to cause Lyme disease."
This is great news and will hopefully set a precedent in other states. Lets hope doctors get behind this and feel comfortable treating Chronic Lyme Disease.
This is a good day for Lyme!
-------------------- aka: Lyme Warrior
In order to do "real" science, you have to have a "real" conversation with nature.
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History!
"Just Demand your Rights" Posts: 869 | From nor - cal | Registered: Apr 2008
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posted
``This bill does not, however, shield any physician who provides substandard care.'' says Gov. Rell.
OK, so does this mean anyone who follows the IDSA BS, like Shapiro, Wormser, et al will now be subject to state board investigation and sanction? They are certainly providing substandard care.
And the governor's next job is to dump the current state medical board people and those in the state health dept. who have been sponsoring this witch hunt.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Okay New Yorkers, how can we make that happen here? We really, really need it.
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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Tracy9
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Member # 7521
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We desperately need more doctors to treat us here in CT. With this fantastic new law, we are residents with no where to go.
The very, very few we have are either not taking new patients, don't take any insurance, or are too conservative and not likely to change.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Tracy9
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I've searched the Hartford Courant both yesterday and today online and cannot find any announcement of this.
Please someone, tell me I am missing something. We all have seen the one sided views of this paper going in the direction of the big insurance company money; but would they be so slanted as to NOT EVEN REPORT THIS?????
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
HARTFORD -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Sunday signed a bill that allows doctors to diagnose and treat chronic Lyme disease without fear of repercussion from peers or state health regulators.
"Doctors in Connecticut, the absolute epicenter of Lyme disease, can continue to do what is best for their patients suffering from this complex illness," Rell said in a statement.
"The bill also recognizes that Lyme disease patients must have the freedom to choose which remedy or regimen best meets their needs."
Lyme disease was discovered in Lyme, Conn., in the 1970s. Treatment has become a hotly debated topic in the medical community.
Many Lyme disease patients, including some state lawmakers, believe they have a recurring form that requires long-term use of antibiotics.
But prominent physicians and medical groups, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, say chronic Lyme is a myth and that it is potentially dangerous to prescribe treatment beyond the standard 28-day course of antibiotics.
The result has been two standards of care for Lyme disease patients -- that recognized by IDSA and another promoted by physicians willing to diagnose the chronic form.
The bill, unanimously supported in the General Assembly, does not force physicians to take a position, but proponents hope more doctors will feel comfortable prescribing longer-term antibiotics if they determine that is the proper treatment.
There was concern among some lawmakers who sponsored the bill that Rell might be swayed to veto it.
Dr. Phillip Baker, executive director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation in Lyme, earlier this month wrote Rell urging her to kill the bill.
Dr. Lawrence Zemel, professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center, said in a recent letter to the Hartford Courant that the legislation is "ill-considered."
"As a physician, I know long-term antibiotic treatment is dangerous," Zemel wrote.
"Why do some patients believe prolonged antibiotic therapy improved or eliminated their symptoms? For many, their symptoms are self-limited, and their improvement has nothing to do with their treatment.
For others, the antibiotics may have anti-inflammatory effects ... And for some there is a strong placebo effect. If they think they will get better (and pay dearly,) then they do."
But the Connecticut State Medical Society backed the bill, saying doctors should be able to choose the best method of care for their patients.
"This bill does not ... shield any physician who provides substandard care," Rell said in the statement.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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EtherealGirl
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Not a good article. I was able to get an appointment next week with Dr. S in Bridgeport, but of course, he doesn't take my insurance. I hope my insurance will at least cover my meds!
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Tracy9
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Have not heard good things about Dr. S.....will he do IVs?
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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gemofnj
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This is definitely a step forward.
I was happy to write to the governor and put my comment on The Day's website and so glad that others did too.
[ 06-23-2009, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: gemofnj ]
Posts: 1127 | From atlantic city, nj | Registered: May 2008
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Lymeorsomething
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Member # 16359
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Dr. S is not bad. He looks at the big picture. He probably won't treat as aggressively as one would like but he will test for just about everything. He's a good starting place....
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
get this!! I SIGNED UP FOR CONN. BILL TRACKING SYSTEM !!!
GOV. SIGNED BILL JUNE 18TH ... that's what it says here folks and they waited until 6-21 to publicly announce it!!!
now it makes sense when i talked to 1 of the women there taking all my daily phone calls; we'll be getting out a press release SOON on 18th/thurs. or FRI!!!
Bill History (in reverse chronological order) Date Action Taken
6/18/2009 Signed by the Governor *************************************************************
6/10/2009 Transmitted to the Secretary of State 6/5/2009 (LCO) Public Act 09-128 5/29/2009 On Consent Calendar / In Concurrence 5/29/2009 Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A 5/29/2009 Senate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 5/4/2009 (LCO) File Number 903 5/4/2009 Senate Calendar Number 605 5/4/2009 Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate 4/30/2009 House Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A 4/30/2009 House Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 6317 4/9/2009 (LCO) File Number 583 4/9/2009 House Calendar Number 391 4/9/2009 Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House 4/9/2009 (LCO) Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office 4/3/2009 (LCO) Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/09 5:00 PM 3/27/2009 (LCO) Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office 3/26/2009 (PH) Joint Favorable Substitute 3/25/2009 Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health 3/24/2009 Drafted by Committee 3/9/2009 (PH) Vote to Draft 2/2/2009 Public Hearing 02/06 1/28/2009 (PH) Reserved for Subject Matter Public Hearing 1/27/2009 Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health
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richedie
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This needs to go nationwide!
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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