This is topic Action Alert-The "push" is on! Let's move forward! in forum Activism at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
 
New Action Alert- please share!


November 14, 2009 Vol 2, Issue 9

Action Alert #9

from Pat Smith, President Lyme Disease Association

Time for Lyme

CALDA


PROGRESS- MOVING FORWARD

Our coordinated efforts to contact members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees were a huge success, with an end result of "chronic Lyme disease" and "persistence" being included in both the House & Senate Appropriations bills.

We also combined our efforts to successfully have the CT Doctor Protection bill signed into law and have been working diligently with key officials at the federal and state levels to enlist support and advance the Lyme Community's position.

With these major actions well on the way or behind us, we need to refocus attention on garnering support for the federal bills introduced earlier this year by Congressman Christopher Smith and Senator Christopher Dodd, the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2009.

In May 2009 there were 42 House members cosponsoring HR 1179. We've more than doubled that number in the past six months− 86 House members from 30 states currently cosponsoring.

The Senate bill (S-1352) has seven Senators cosponsoring. We still need many more cosponsors before action is taken on the bills.

OPPOSITION CONTINUES

As patients continue to struggle with their immediate health care concerns, the IDSA has stepped up its efforts to try to silence treating physicians and patient voices in DC.

It does not want legislation promoting research which can help answer questions regarding diagnosis and persistence but continues to promote "no chronic Lyme" without adequate scientific backup for that position.

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED

We need you to call your federal representatives to combat aggressive moves to halt the bills.

We MUST enlist our Congressmen's support and ensure they are not swayed by the IDSA's and other opponents' rhetoric!

Go to LDA's LEGISLATION PAGE for a listing of U.S. Senate and U.S. House Members and contact information by state.

http://www.cwork.com/

A link for sample blurbs and letters is located at the top of the page.

Please contact your own US House Member and your two Senators today. Tell them you want them to sign onto the bill as a co-sponsor.

THANKS TO ALL

The LDA thanks all of you for your cooperation with the federal efforts. Working together, we have made and can continue to make a difference for Lyme patients everywhere.


www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org
 
Posted by Cockapoo1996 (Member # 14238) on :
 
Congressman Garrett of the 5th District is a long shot, but I tried my best.

Unfortunately he was just re-elected.
 
Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
 
Just emailed my congressmen and senators. Good feeling to get it done.

Thanks for all you folks do behind the scenes to keep us moving forward.

Mary
 
Posted by njlymemom (Member # 15088) on :
 
I have contacted Garrett's offices (NJ and DC) many times over the last few years. I doubt if he budges....was very sorry to see that he was re-elected.
 
Posted by Cockapoo1996 (Member # 14238) on :
 
Dear Ms. :

Thank you for contacting me regarding Lyme disease research. I value your comments and appreciate the opportunity to respond.

The Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2009, H.R. 1179, was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4) on February 25, 2009.

H.R. 1179 would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.

The committee would then advise the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health on how to conduct effective Lyme Disease research.

Lyme Disease is a serious affliction that affects 23,000 Americans every year and is prevalent in parts of the northeast United States and all of New Jersey.

Providing funding for the world's leading biomedical research institution is a high priority for Congress since breakthroughs in medical research occur every year.

You may be pleased to know that I am committed to continuing to support the ongoing innovative research for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

To that end, I, along with 178 of my colleagues, requested a 7% increase in funding for the NIH in FY2010.

H.R. 1179 has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. While I am not member of this committee, I do look forward to reviewing the committee's findings on H.R. 1179.

Please know that your correspondence is important to me and that I appreciate the benefit of your views.

Should legislation concerning Lyme Disease research come to the House floor for a vote, I will consider it with your thoughts in mind.

Thank you for contacting me. Should you have any further questions or comments about this or any legislative issue, please do not hesitate to contact me in my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-4465. Also, please visit my website at www.house.gov/garrett to sign up for my newsletter for the latest updates.

Sincerely,

Scott Garrett
Member of Congress
 
Posted by Cockapoo1996 (Member # 14238) on :
 
TC or anyone, what does this mean?

"H.R. 1179 has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce."

btw I get your little newsletter. Check your facts.
 
Posted by pmerv (Member # 1504) on :
 
It was read to the House and then assigned to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which assigned it to the Subcommittee on Health, where it will sit until the chairman decides it should be discussed and voted up to the next level. The Subcommittee on Health is chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. Some of you may remember the demonstration outside Pallone's district office and LDA president Pat Smith confronting him last year when he refused to let the bill be heard. He said he is waiting for the IDSA decision on the guidelines under the misguided notion that the bill mandates treatment - which it does not. But the IDSA lobby has been busy with members of Congress, selling their version of reality.
 


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