Saying the Hudson Valley is the ``epicenter'' of Lyme disease in the nation and the State of New York has the highest instance of the disease that is transmitted to humans by deer ticks, Congresswoman Sue Kelly announced yesterday that she has re-introduced a bill that would appropriate $10 million for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010 to provide research and educational activities concerning the disease.

Kelly's bill, which is also sponsored by fellow Hudson Valley House Member Maurice Hinchey, would require development of a diagnostic test to detect Lyme; authorize federal funding for increased educational activities and local community prevention information; and create an advisory committee of the Department of Health and Human Services on Lyme disease.

Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Jean Hudson said those measures would be a great help in the fight against the disease. ``Early testing and a test that is responsive to treatment would help us enormously,'' she said. ``Now, when you are tested for Lyme disease and you are positive, you can get it again, still the test is no use the second time around. It becomes a clinical discussion.''

Got any email addresses so we can email Kelly, Hinchey and Hudson for their efforts?

Want to express my opinion -
My concern is that in the past, too much money has gone to the wrong people & their "research" (?) has continued to fuel the debate about diagnosis & treatment of Lyme disease.

The result -
difficulty in getting a diagnosis & adequate treatment has caused so many people to suffer unnecessarily.
I have seen this in my family more than once.

I'm aware that there are exceptions to what I've just said.

Sue Kelly's office 202-225-5441 http://suekelly.house.gov/ContactInformation.asp

I already wrote my house rep over S5057 sponsored by Hannon--is this a different bill?

My representative actually knows my family--so I don't want to look too ignorant.

I believe Hannon is a state rep, not a federal rep. Hannon (et al) was the rep to write to for NY stuff only. This bill is for the entire country which means that you should NOT contact Hannon for this.

Use the URL above or ask the LDF at www.lyme.org for help in determining who your federal rep is.

You can also put the bill number
HR 2526 in there and see what the status is and which representatives have signed on as co-sponsors. There are 15 so far, I believe.

The people at www.Lyme.org have lots of good info, including a nice script to use when e-mailing or calling your rep.

I'm on top of things! I checked my "sent" one emails and I asked my friends to email our house rep on H.R. 2526 AND asked them to write and thank Hannon for his efforts.

I had a good day yesterday too--I wrote one newspaper, two tv stations and the govenor.

Up for people to write letters!

Linda