Lyme Disease Association Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force Fairfield Lyme Resource LDA of Eastern CT Lyme Information Network
Two Events- Same Day
1. Attend Rally to Support Dr. Charles R. Jones!
2. Attend CT Medical Board Hearing
Dr. Jones asks for your support!
ATTEND THE RALLY IN SUPPORT OF DR. CHARLES R. JONES
and
ATTEND THE CONNECTICUT MEDICAL BOARD HEARING.
WHEN: RALLY- Tuesday, February 16 at 11:00 AM
HEARING- Following the Rally which is currently scheduled for 1:30 PM the same day*
WHERE: RALLY- Outside the CT Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06134
HEARING: Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06134 (Room to be announced)
Note: The outdoor RALLY will be held at 11:00 AM, even if the DPH cancels or reschedules the hearing.
The Connecticut Medical Examining Board hearing is currently scheduled for 1:30 PM on February 16, 2010, the same day as the RALLY.
The DPH might change the hearing date/time BUT THE RALLY WILL STILL HAPPEN. We will all meet at 11:00 AM at the DPH Building for the rally. If the hearing goes as on scheduled, we will proceed to the hearing after the rally.
For updates and more information visit the Lyme Rights Website at www.LymeRights.org
History As you know, Dr. Jones has already faced medical board charges and had sanctions and a fine levied against him. The actions of the Connecticut Department of Public Health against him have continued for almost 5 years.
New Charges Dr. Jones had a second set of charges lodged against him, and now the hearing to recommend additional sanctions will be held in front of the entire Medical Examining Board. The Board will be voting on the recommendations of the current three-member panel that has been hearing the second set of charges. Attorneys for Dr. Jones and for the CT Department of Public Health will present their oral arguments regarding these recommendations.
New Sanctions
The panel is NOT recommending that Dr. Jones' license be revoked. They are, however, recommending other sanctions which are of tremendous concern:
� A second $10,000 fine (the $10,000 fine levied in the first case has been "suspended," pending the outcome of the appeal);
� Four years of supervised probation;
� Supervision conducted by a monitor hired at Dr. Jones' expense.
The current monitor, put in place as a result of the previous charges against Dr. Jones, is responsible for having now made more than 5 new complaints against him.
Action to take
We need a strong show of support for the man who has cared for so many of our children, when other pediatricians have been unable or unwilling to provide proper diagnosis and treatment for them.
Dr. Jones requests that you please try to attend the upcoming hearing, and bring as many people with you as you can!
Consequences if Dr. Jones loses ability to treat
� Further jeopardize all Lyme literate physicians' ability to treat by casting a chill on treatment climate.
� Prevent patients of all ages from receiving appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
� Negatively impact the future of so many children who depend on Dr. Jones for appropriate care.
The Lyme community needs to take a united stand to preserve the rights of doctors to treat and patients to be treated. Come and be counted!
THANKS TO ALL
The LDA thanks all of you for your cooperation with these efforts. Working together, we have made and can continue to make a difference for Lyme patients everywhere.
Posts: 127 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
I don't understand this!! I thought he was protected by the laws passed in favor of long term treatment with antibiotics.
Linda
-------------------- diagnosed with MS, 1988-Diagnosed with Lyme Disease 2009. Also babesia and bartonella. Currently not on antibiotics. Taking Metalloclear for high lead and mercury since October 2012. Rifing since June 2012 Posts: 148 | From usa NH | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
The bill is not protecting him. Those who want to stop treatment for Lyme patients continue to skirt around the law like they have done for many years- this time claiming it is "not about Lyme." Maybe they will end up like Al Capone. Interesting story with a spirochete twist. AL
aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Wish more than anything that I can be there but have injured my back and my brother and mother are having surgery this month.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6137 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Little wolf... sorry to hear of your troubles. I know that you and yours have attended rallies in the past. Maybe someone who CAN attend will step up to the plate and go in your place?
ALSO- Due to the possibility of inclement weather ... please be sure to check www.LymeRights.org for updates. The details about parking, directions, food, etc were put on the site yesterday.
Don't head to the rally until you check the site please!
CONTACT: Rally/State: Maggie Shaw, Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force 203-470-5406 National: Pat Smith, Lyme Disease Association, Inc. 888-366-6611 [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE- For Immediate Release
Is the Connecticut DPH Helping Patients?
Hartford, CT February 12, 2010 −At a time when all eyes are focused on the economy, no one seems to be watching as the Department of Public Health (DPH) dwindles away tax payer's dollars attempting to persecute a pediatrician for making children better.
DPH investigations and legal actions, prompted by supporters of the guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), have forced Dr. Charles R. Jones of New Haven to defend himself against charges that have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, there is a significant outstanding balance in his legal defense fund.
The complaints filed against Dr. Jones were not due to children being harmed, in fact, they all have improved significantly as a result of his treatment. Yet, the DPH continues to monitor Jones and gathers children's medical files from his office shelves to try to find evidence that will justify any charges that many say are designed to bankrupt him and force him into surrendering his medical license.
After almost 6 years as a target of the DPH, Jones is still licensed to treat, has a full patient load with a long waiting list, and works six days a week to help as many sick and disabled children as possible.
Dr. Jones, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport with over one hundred of his ``children'' in attendance, took an unprecedented stand against the flawed Infectious Diseases Society of America's (IDSA) Lyme disease treatment guidelines long before Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal launched an investigation which uncovered multiple undisclosed conflicts of interest by IDSA panelists who developed the guidelines.
For years, Jones has refused to allow the thousands of children with Lyme and tick-borne diseases, who have been coming to him from around the world for help, to suffer from lack of adequate treatment.
``We must send a clear message to health departments across the country that we will not be bullied, or allow our right to medical treatment to be trampled,'' stated Jones in a recent letter to patients and health care providers. His ``children'' and their parents are grateful that he helped so many of them return to a normal life after years of suffering.
Although the State has indicated the most recent charges are not about Lyme, it hired two Connecticut-based ``Lyme specialists'' to testify against him. Dr. L. Zemel, one of the ``experts,'' testimony was thrown out, with the panel characterizing him as clearly biased against physicians who treat chronic Lyme and against many of the labs that they use.
This characterization comes as no surprise to Lyme patients and their families who have been subject to the same type of bias by many IDSA guidelines' followers, leading to curtailed treatment, disabling disease, tremendous pain, and inability to function in society.
As Dr. Jones' legal fees continue to snowball, someone needs to investigate how much the State is spending to harass a good doctor who is saving lives and what other doctors, who pose real threats to patients, are slipping through the cracks while this spurious investigation is permitted to continue.
CT volunteer Lyme disease support groups are holding a rally for Dr. Jones prior to his next scheduled DPH hearing on February 16, 2010 at 11:00 AM in front of the DPH building on Capitol Avenue.
For more information and inclement weather advisories on the rally please visit www.LymeRights.orgPosts: 127 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2009
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
February 13th, 2010 Vol 3, Issue 1
Action Alert #2 from:
Lyme Disease Association and Connecticut Support Groups on behalf of LymeRights
Lyme Rights Rally Update
The weather forecast indicates we may have inclement weather.
A final determination on whether to hold the rally will be made by Lyme Rights based on the forecast and will be posted on Monday afternoon.
Please check www.LymeRights.org for updates before leaving for the rally and hearing. Your safety is our concern.
CONTACT: Rally/State: Maggie Shaw, Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force 203-470-5406 National: Pat Smith, Lyme Disease Association, Inc. 888-366-6611 [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE- For Immediate Release
Is the Connecticut DPH Helping Patients?
Hartford, CT February 12, 2010 −At a time when all eyes are focused on the economy, no one seems to be watching as the Department of Public Health (DPH) dwindles away tax payers' dollars attempting to persecute a pediatrician for making children better.
DPH investigations and legal actions, prompted by supporters of the guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), have forced Dr. Charles R. Jones of New Haven to defend himself against charges that have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, there is a significant outstanding balance in his legal defense fund.
The complaints filed against Dr. Jones were not due to children being harmed, in fact, they all have improved significantly as a result of his treatment. Yet, the DPH continues to monitor Jones and gathers children's medical files from his office shelves to try to find evidence that will justify any charges that many say are designed to bankrupt him and force him into surrendering his medical license.
After almost 6 years as a target of the DPH, Jones is still licensed to treat, has a full patient load with a long waiting list, and works six days a week to help as many sick and disabled children as possible.
Dr. Jones, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport with over one hundred of his "children" in attendance, took an unprecedented stand against the flawed Infectious Diseases Society of America's (IDSA) Lyme disease treatment guidelines long before Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal launched an investigation which uncovered multiple undisclosed conflicts of interest by IDSA panelists who developed the guidelines.
For years, Jones has refused to allow the thousands of children with Lyme and tick-borne diseases, who have been coming to him from around the world for help, to suffer from lack of adequate treatment.
"We must send a clear message to health departments across the country that we will not be bullied, or allow our right to medical treatment to be trampled," stated Jones in a recent letter to patients and health care providers.
His "children" and their parents are grateful that he helped so many of them return to a normal life after years of suffering.
Although the State has indicated the most recent charges are not about Lyme, it hired two Connecticut-based "Lyme specialists" to testify against him.
Dr. L. Zemel, one of the "experts," testimony was thrown out, with the panel characterizing him as clearly biased against physicians who treat chronic Lyme and against many of the labs that they use.
This characterization comes as no surprise to Lyme patients and their families who have been subject to the same type of bias by many IDSA guidelines' followers, leading to curtailed treatment, disabling disease, tremendous pain, and inability to function in society.
As Dr. Jones' legal fees continue to snowball, someone needs to investigate how much the State is spending to harass a good doctor who is saving lives and what other doctors, who pose real threats to patients, are slipping through the cracks while this spurious investigation is permitted to continue.
CT volunteer Lyme disease support groups are holding a rally for Dr. Jones prior to his next scheduled DPH hearing on February 16, 2010 at 11:00 AM in front of the DPH building on Capitol Avenue. For more information and inclement weather advisories on the rally please visit www.LymeRights.org
For updates and more information visit Lyme Rights website at www.LymeRights.org
ATTEND THE RALLY IN SUPPORT OF DR. CHARLES R. JONES AND ATTEND THE CONNECTICUT MEDICAL BOARD HEARING
WHEN: RALLY- Tuesday, February 16 at 11:00 AM
HEARING- Following the Rally which is currently scheduled for 1:30 PM the same day*
WHERE: RALLY- Outside the CT Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06134
HEARING: Connecticut Department of Public Health, 470 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06134 (Room to be announced)
Note: The outdoor RALLY will be held at 11:00 AM, even if the DPH cancels or reschedules the hearing.
The Connecticut Medical Examining Board hearing is currently scheduled for 1:30 PM on February 16, 2010, the same day as the RALLY.
The DPH might change the hearing date/time BUT THE RALLY WILL STILL BE HELD. We will meet at 11:00 AM at the DPH Building for the rally.
If the hearing goes as scheduled, we will proceed to the hearing after the rally.
SCHEDULE
11:00 AM- RALLY begins at Department of Public Health
11:30 AM- Speaker- Pat Smith
11:45 AM- Speaker- Dr. Joseph Burrascano (barring personal commitments)
12:00 PM- Speaker- Bonnie Friedman, Office Manager for Dr. Charles Ray Jones
12:15 PM- Get warm, lunch break and proceed to hearing on your own
1:30 PM- Hearing scheduled to begin (Room to be determined)
**NOTE- In order to enter the DPH Building you must have a drivers license or suitable identification and you must sign in.
PLEASE PLAN ON PARKING IN PARKING LOT "C" WHICH HAS A FREE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE.
Detailed directions, maps, suggestions and additional information can be found at www.LymeRights.org
PLEASE CHECK FOR UPDATES BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE RALLY & HEARING DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INCLEMENT WEATHER AND A POSSIBLE NEED TO RESCHEDULE THE EVENT.
Although LDA supports this rally, it is sponsored, planned and carried out by LymeRights, at www.LymeRights.org . LDA is providing this Alert notice as a courtesy to LymeRights.
I imagine the ribbons referred to are the smallish lapel-sized lime green ribbons that are crossed in a single loop similar to other advocacy ribbons.
-------------------- "Help Or Be Helpless" Please visit "Activism" board daily. See the threads regarding the IDSA Guidelines crisis and the threads about Dr. Charles Ray Jones and decide how best to help today! Posts: 1265 | From does not list | Registered: Jun 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Unofficial report in... not confirmed but from some fairly goofy sources just the same....
Although the rally was cancelled due to bad weather... I heard about 30 people roughed the cold and snow to get to the hearing.
One person video taped it.. which will be available soon we hope.
I heard Tillis (the attorney against Dr. Jones) tried to get Duck Zemel's testimony back in on the record after the members threw it out due to the fact he is very bias against Lyme docs and their labs...
But they said no way Jose! HA!
We are still not certain of all the terms and conditions... but someone took notes and I hope to be able to share them as soon as possible.
Oh, someone said a some big goat blabbed on and on like he wanted Dr. Jones to be thrown to the sharks.
But after all the grand standing ... it was just annoying to everyone there and made the goat look baaaadddddd.
Wish I had more to report .. but will surely report more when I do.
State Disciplines Doctor At Center Of Lyme Disease Dispute
By ARIELLE LEVIN BECKER The Hartford Courant February 17, 2010
HARTFORD -- - The state medical board on Tuesday voted to discipline Dr. Charles Ray Jones, a New Haven pediatrician known for his support of a controversial form of Lyme disease treatment.
The discipline -- a $10,000 fine and a four-year license probation during which Jones' practice will be monitored -- will not take effect until the board signs the decision, which is expected to happen next month.
It will mark the second time in three years that the board has disciplined Jones, 80.
Jones and his supporters say he has been targeted by health authorities because of how he treats Lyme disease. State health officials say the allegations against Jones are about patient care in general, not Lyme disease.
Jones was accused of violating medical standards in the cases of four children. For one, a 4-year-old girl, Jones allegedly ordered tests, diagnosed Lyme disease and another illness, and prescribed medication -- all before meeting or examining her.
For two other children, Jones allegedly ordered lab tests to confirm Lyme disease without physically examining them.
A hearing panel for the Connecticut Medical Examining Board found that Jones violated the standard of care in those cases because he failed to consider other diagnoses and prescribed antibiotics for the 4-year-old without an exam or medical history.
The panel dismissed allegations involving the fourth child.
Jones said before the vote that he would appeal a ruling against him. "I haven't done anything wrong," he said.
Before the medical board voted, Jones' attorney, Elliott Pollack, described the case as the result of complaints by "disgruntled" parents, some involved in divorces.
"No patient complained here," Pollack said. "No patient was harmed here. All patients were helped here."
More than a dozen of Jones' supporters attended Tuesday's board meeting. Jones is considered a hero to those who believe that Lyme disease can be a chronic condition that requires extended antibiotic therapy. They say that many doctors and tests miss the condition, leaving patients to suffer.
The mainstream medical community has rejected many of the long-term Lyme arguments, saying that such cases are rare and that doctors who diagnose it often overlook other causes of the symptoms.
Dr. Richard Bridburg, who was chairman of the hearing panel, said the panel excluded testimony about the debate over Lyme disease.
"For us, at least, this issue was, perhaps because of the size and busyness of Dr. Jones' practice, we thought that he takes shortcuts," like ordering tests without doing physical exams or considering other diagnoses, Bridburg said.
Jones previously was accused of diagnosing Lyme disease and prescribing antibiotics to two out-of-state patients he had not examined or met. The medical board fined Jones $10,000 in 2007 and placed his license on probation for two years, but Jones appealed.
A judge ruled that the state Department of Public Health had not sufficiently proved one of the violations that the board found, and ordered the case returned to the board to determine what discipline Jones should face. That determination has yet to be made.
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