Newtown, CT, May 29, 2009 − Patient groups across Connecticut and the nation were jubilant as the Connecticut Senate passed the Lyme disease doctor protection bill today, 36-0, following its unanimous passage in the Connecticut House of Representatives on April 30, 2009.
HB 6200 contains language that will protect CT licensed Lyme treating physicians from prosecution by the State of Connecticut Medical Examining Board solely on the basis of a clinical diagnosis and /or for treatment of long-term Lyme disease.
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.
The final bill was the result of months of negotiations between Legislative Leaders, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the undersigned patient Groups.
According to Maggie Shaw, Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force, who has been spearheading the Connecticut effort, ``Patients in Connecticut and their families will experience some relief as a result of the passage of this bill and Governor Rell's hoped-for decision to sign it into law.
Instead of having to drive for hours to other states, Connecticut residents may actually be able to receive treatment in the State for their debilitating symptoms, since the bill opens the door to a more friendly treatment climate for physicians.''
Pat Smith, president of the national Lyme Disease Association, who has been working with legislators in Hartford to secure passage, underscored the importance of the bill to patients everywhere:
``This bill hits at the heart of the Lyme problem, recognizing chronic Lyme infection, long-term treatment of Lyme disease, and recognizing and defining clinical judgment by physicians.
Legislators are to be commended for being knowledgeable about the problem, focusing on finding a solution acceptable to disparate groups, and taking action to make this bill a reality, a win-win for patients, doctors and the State itself.''
The Groups extend their appreciation to all the Senators, especially the sponsors. In particular, we thank Senator Jonathan Harris (CT-5), Co-Chair of the Joint Public Health Committee, and Senator Martin Looney (CT-11), Senate Majority Leader, who took time from their busy schedules prior to passage to meet with the Groups on the importance of the bill.
In the House, thanks go to Representatives Jason Bartlett, Kim Fawcett, Public Health Committee Co-Chair, Betsy Ritter, and Representatives Chris Lyddy, Peggy Reeves and all of the legislators who supported this bill.
Passage in both houses would not have occurred without the support of patients, families and members of the Lyme community who wrote letters, made phone calls and testified in support of the bill and without the critical input and support of the Connecticut Medical Society.
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, which consists of Lyme treating physicians, also supported the bill.
The Groups have confidence that Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell will fulfill her commitment to Connecticutresidents and quickly sign this important piece of legislation into law, which would make Connecticut the second state after RI to pass a specific Lyme disease protection bill.
Representatives of the Groups met with the Governor's office earlier this month.
Lyme Disease Association, Inc. Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force Time For Lyme, Inc. Eastern Connecticut Chapter, Lyme Disease Association
posted
Does anyone know what the implications for Dr J will be? Hopefully they will leave him alone?
Posts: 48 | From nj | Registered: Aug 2007
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
Thats Totally Awesome... Really!!
Posts: 2747 | From Unites States Of America | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
yes, i've been wondering about dr. j and how this will affect him.
yes, will be a nice BD gift to him/other llmds in your state!
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Nancy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 95
posted
Tinny......I am curious why the bill did not contain a clause forcing insurance companies to pay claims related to a physician diagnosis of Lyme and co infections like the Rhode Island bill. Any info?
Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you like. Best, Nancy
Posts: 1487 | From New England | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
CT is going to be a hot Lymie vacation destination soon lol.
Posts: 526 | From NJ | Registered: May 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Nancy said...
"I am curious why the bill did not contain a clause forcing insurance companies to pay claims related to a physician diagnosis of Lyme and co infections like the Rhode Island bill. Any info?"
We would be so much better off with that, wouldn't we?
But in MY opinion... it couldn't be done. Had it said even the words "insurance must pay" it would have been picked up on the insurance companies radar... and we would have been in a battle we couldn't win.
Remember, Hartford, CT is the insurance capital of the world.. making this bill a tough one to start with. Had we even tried to make insurance do something, they'd have been on us like white on rice. Party over.
And the fight we had just getting this much passed was insane. From what I heard, Yale, et al was there in full force being the thorn in our rose of life like they usually are.
And truthfully....
I don't think the IDSA slymes.. (I mean IDSA supporters in CT).. like us very much.
Of all the health departments and IDSA support... CT is, in MY opinion, the absolute worst.
It is followed closely by Maryland/Hopkins and North Carolina/DOH.
In CT there is Shap-IforgotIwasunderoath-pario...
And Zem-i'lltrainmedicaboardtobustLLMD's- mel..
And a number of others who are still waiting in line to get their lips surgically sewn onto Bumsteere's butt.
Had our folks (LDA, CT groups and others) not worked hard behind the scenes with individual legislators for the past XX number of months... and all the patients not jumped in to help when needed .... what we got wouldn't have been gotten.
There are a lot of reasons for the bill not having direct wording for insurance coverage... too many to spell out.. but that is the first door stopper.
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
AND... the good news...
Even though it is not in there directly worded....
It does have some happy subsections... like this one- (b)...
"(b) On and after July 1, 2009, a licensed physician may prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antibiotic therapy to a patient for a therapeutic purpose that eliminates such infection
or controls a patient's symptoms upon making a clinical diagnosis that such patient has Lyme disease
or displays symptoms consistent with a clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease, provided such clinical diagnosis and treatment are documented in the patient's medical record by such licensed physician."
In other words...
Subsection (b) is confirming the use of "LONG-TERM antibiotic therapy" and allowing for it.
AND... more happy...
"Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2009) (a) As used in this section, (1) "long-term antibiotic therapy" means the administration of oral, intramuscular or intravenous antibiotics, singly or in combination, for periods of time in excess of four weeks; and..."
This is confirming more than 4 weeks also.
Now, insurance companies can not just cut off "medically necessary" treatment to anyone without good cause.
As we chip chip here and chip chip there... we are getting it so IDSA's theories are not holding water.
Keep in mind their latest big theory which they've tried to pass off to legislators, the media, etc.... and anyone who will listen is ...
There is no such thing as CHRONIC Lyme disease.
The CT legislators think there is such a thing and has passed a law saying it is so... and patients who have chronic Lyme and who are treated for it won't have their doctors prosecuted for treating them.
Actually... the bill is worded quite well considering the tactics the IDSA was using to get their way.
Take a look. It should make you smile.
And...
Once this bill is in effect.... we can always go back for more... IF and WHEN the time is right.
BTW- Bills are written by legislatures and NOT by us. (Many folks think we have control over them but we don't.)
IF we are lucky we have SOME input on some bills.... but never the final word.
We basically have to go with what is introduced... or fight it... or both if it turns sour.
aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Reading this was like drinking a tall, cool glass of water in the baking heat of the desert.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6147 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
alaska,
sorry, but without GOV RELL SIGNING IT, it means nothing for now. 6-10 it finally got to her desk.
she has 15 days to do anything she wants to
she can veto it, sign it, or another option; they are all listed in the OTHER posts with all the updates since the last post on this older post.
call their dialy if not twice a day; they are keepign track of the NUMBER OF CALLS; you can call OUT OF STATE like i've been doing for 1 week also.
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Chronic Lyme disease treatment could face insurance battle By Brian Lockhart
Many Lyme disease patients rejoiced last month when the General Assembly unanimously passed a bill specifying that physicians could diagnose the controversial chronic Lyme disease and prescribe equally contentious long-term antibiotics to treat the tick-borne illness without fear of reprisal.
But the bill, which needs to be signed by Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell, did not address another issue: Must insurance companies cover the extended treatments when various health organizations do not recognize the existence of chronic Lyme and warn against overuse of antibiotics?
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
nonsense,
i'm very sorry for everything your aunt went thru.
fyi, my late sis-in-law died at age 40, yes 40, of EARLY onset Alzheimer's disease 16 yrs. ago. she showed symptoms for 8-14 years.
mayo clinic, minn. did an autopsy taking 4-5 months on her brain showing plagues/tangles.
HOWEVER, now i do think she had LYME disease which was never considered/tested for!
she/my brother farmed with dad for 10 years where she walked beans, picked up field rocks, harvested, and mowed grass constantly on the acreage. she was exposed constantly to TICKS carrying lyme/co-infections meaning OTHER disease the ticks carry.
i tried to talk to her once about her severe memory loss; she never opened up & talked.
drs. treated her all that time for SEVERE DEPRESSION!
so i feel your aunt COULD be in the same category as my sis-in-law.
did she garden alot, mow grass, walk in the woods, have PETS CARRYING TICKS IN WITH THEM?
STILLSUFFERING, join www.lymenet.org flash discussion board, go to SUPPORT area, post about your being DENIED SSDI. we'll help you ok!
that's another subject we go thru! i went thru 5 years of hell to be approved for ssdi on my 2nd claim.
DDS fights US on: lyme, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia pain since they are INVISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE!
you can't see what is going inside our 24/7 "construction zones"!
i've had chronic lyme 39.5 yrs; 34.5 yrs. MISDIAGNOSED BY 40-50 DRS! UNACCEPTABLE!
GOV. JODI RELL, please do what is right; SIGN our lyme disease bill for long-term antibiotics from our chronic lyme literate mds, llmds!
WE WANT QUALITY OF LIFE BACK; REMISSION; AND TO BE TREATED EQUALLY AS AIDS, HIV, AND CANCER PATIENTS ARE TREATED! thank you!
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