posted
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE. THIS IS FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN.
Hi folks, I'm mad and really don't want to take this garbage anymore.
Like most of you, I've had this illness for many, many years, most of which have been spent in bed.
I know you don't really get to plan your life, but this is a little too far from what I'd planned.
I'm sure the reality of your life since Lyme is far from what you expected.
We have had to fight for every little bit of progress we have made.
We still cannot rest assured that the doctor who is saving our lives today will be allowed to help us tomorrow.
THE ULTIMATE (OR MAYBE ONE OF THE ULTIMATE) SLAP IN THE FACE:
Now the ultimate slap in the face comes from some patronizing government attorneys who have decided that the bill we have been lobbying for is not REALLY what's best for us.
Apparently, we were not only too stupid to know we REALLY had fibromyalgia; we are also too stupid to know that we will not REALLY be helped if our doctors can protect their medical licenses.
More than 50 very, very sick Lyme patients shlepped up to Albany a few weeks ago, and many more patients wrote and called in the last few days.
Yet, the attorneys for the Assembly Codes Committee still don't get that fairness for doctors can mean fairness for patients.
In their infinite wisdom, these attorneys have either decided that patients, in general, don't know what they're talking about or that Lyme disease patients, in particular, don't know what they're talking about.
They have advised Assemblyman Lentol and the rest of the committee that the OPMC Due Process bill S5057/A7757 helps doctors but not patients.
I mean, fifty people did not decide to spend most of the month of May half dead in bed because they just wanted to take a scenic tour of Albany.
If that didn't get the committee to listen, then we have to up the numbers of people writing and calling to the thousands.
ACTION ALERT: Please get everyone you know to call and email Assemblyman Lentol and ask, urge, beg him to bring S5057/A7757 up for a vote in the Assembly Codes Committee ASAP. Let him know that if doctors are not given basic rights to protect their licenses , then patients suffer.
In one way or another we want them to finally hear that this is a patients' rights bills, that we need our doctors.
EMAIL: [email protected] Be sure to sign with full name and address.
Albany Office Phone: 1-518-455-4477
District Office Phone: 718-383-7474
Ellen
Posts: 819 | From New York, NY | Registered: Oct 2001
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valymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7076
posted
Thanks, Ellen
What do you really think is going to happen? And what else can we do?
I have forwarded it to email friends again.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Here is what I wrote. What do you think ellen? I feel funny about it coz I am way out here in NM and not very educated about this bill and what is going on in NY, but I DO know that every voice counts. Did I say the right things?
Dear Mr. Lentol,
I am writing to you to ask you to please bring bill numbers S5057/A7757 up for a vote in the Assembly Codes Committee.
It is vital for many chronically ill patients to get access to the health care provider of their choice. It is of equal importance that health care providers have a choice and a voice in how they treat their patients. Without basic rights to protect their licenses, not only will the physicians suffer, but their patients that depend on their expertise will also suffer.
This is not a doctor's bill of rights, but actually a patient's bill of rights. We, as patients depend on our physicians for the best care and treatment we can access.
Sincerely, My whole name and address and phone number
Hope it helps you and us! Trails
Posts: 196 | From Mesilla, NM USA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Ellen,it seems you have done so much work fighting and i greatly appreciate it,I was seeing a NY LLMD is being looked into.You ever think of going another route in the fight such as a big protest,sounds like you would be a great leader.I feel your fustration fighting the system,thank you.Its so hard for you to do all the work and its so easy for the system to just blow you off,please dont take me wrong I am just wondering if the fight should be taken in a different direction.
Posts: 308 | From new bedford,Ma. | Registered: Dec 2004
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Unless I'm mistaken, I believe this is a protest she's staging right now..
and if enough people make noise (this one by calling and e-mailing, rather than traveling to a mass protest location) ..the person we are contacting is in a position to take action right away as a Senator, which would be to bump these bills up in legislature.
We (meaning the Lyme community) had the floor ans unanimous Senate support last year and it passed through to the top - and the reason's for the Governor's rejections have been adjusted --
of course the not so well-motivated camp will continue to throw up road blocks.. but if this Senator gets enough noise coming his way, we can hurdle this one, too.
(not that other protests in person are a bad idea.....)but Ellen's work and rounding the troops has made some big strides. It's a fight we all have to keep on to get legislation to protect our right to treatment.
Mo
[This message has been edited by Mo (edited 07 June 2005).]
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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sizzled
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1357
posted
Ellen, I sent to both people mentioned in TC's private email she sent me with info from you.
Forwarded it to my lyme, FMS, & CFS friends hopefully for their action too.
Ellen & TC, thanks for keeping us informed.
Don't give up the fight.
bettyg, IOWA
Posts: 1 | From US | Registered: Aug 2015
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Linda LD
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6663
posted
I emailed all my Lyme buddies in East Tennessee.
I wrote a letter and was sobbing my eyes out when I finished. I've done all I know to do.
Let me know if I can help in any other way.
Linda
Posts: 1171 | From Knoxville, TN US | Registered: Dec 2004
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
Here's what I just sent. Only takes a minute. Ann - OH (quote) Dear Sir,
I am writing to ask you to bring S5057/A7757 up for a vote in the Assembly Codes Committee ASAP. Don't doctors deserve the same due process as other citizens? If doctors are not given basic rights to protect their licenses, then who suffers more than patients?
I live in Ohio, but must say, what happens in NY on this issue is being watched all over the nation and it will serve as a model for how doctors are treated in many other states. Please do not block the chance for this fair solution.
NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Wisconsin folks are on board. Should have seen one of the letters that a WI. support group member sent to the Assemblyman. Unbelieveable !
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Tanks berry mush stink bug... appreciate the break. While I was off line today.. I did my part in the fight against Lyme!
I killed ticks.. with a spray spray here and a spray spray there.. here a spray, there a spray, everywhere a spray spray.
And I killed me a few poison oak plants too!
Good thing no ducks showed their faces! Cause I am afraid in my "kill, kill" mode I would have showed NO MERCY!
Betty G.. sweet as can beeeeeeee...
Good for you! That is a great idea to send it to other groups!! Now why didn't I think of that?
Thanks!!!!
Linda.. what can I say? I am sorry it was so difficult for you. This is a sad situation we are in.. and often I try to make light of it to keep folks smiling.
But it is a serious situation indeed. We must keep our doctors by supporting them like they do us... and we must have their help to regain our health. I think we can if we all work together.
Thank you for the effort. It is VERY much appreciated... and it will make a difference.
Ann OH...
How is it you can always do in a short time what it takes me FOREVER to do or say? And.. not to mention.. end up with an excellent end product to boot?
I think it is because of your intelligence and insight. I mean how many folks KNOW that infectious disease doctors should see Lyme patients.. not rheumies? I saw your post and knew right away the ducks office had NO clue... and YOU spotted it right away. ~smile~
Ok.. I am funning with you... don't mind me. I just have to say "something" when I see what a great letter you wrote.. when mine is so funky. Thanks!!!
Po-co-no... THANKS!!! That will help a lot! I am sure EllenLu will breathe easier tonight... and not be such a crab face. Ya think? Well, we can HOPE!
NP... out in Wis consin...
Such a pretty place. One of MY favorites! And there was this boy.. with locks of golden hair... who played guitar to me in the moonlight...
Oops... nevermind!
Good to have ya'll helping! Keep up the good work!
Linda LD
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6663
posted
Up for Thursday.
Tincup I basically told him to get it moving and pass it for the children.
Heard from Dr. J--yesterday and am getting his help with children--was a little emotional to begin with--in a happy way. Can't stand the thought of someone messing with our docs.
L
Posts: 1171 | From Knoxville, TN US | Registered: Dec 2004
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
up.up.up!
Posts: 5705 | From Ohio | Registered: Jan 2002
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
We cannot give up now! I just dont see how they can ever win. We will win. First of all, Lyme disease is not going away, it is getting worse. The problem will just keep getting bigger and bigger until SOMETHING is done about it. It is not going away, we are not going away, and we will not suffer in silence. We just have to keep at it, and work hard, keep up our political action and spreading the word to anyone who will listen. A small group of people, can, and will make a difference. We will have our day people...just keep fighting!
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