LisaS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10581
posted
June 16, 2009
Dear Mrs. Hilton:
Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 1179, the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act. It is good to hear from you and I apologize for the delay in my response.
As you are likely aware, Lyme disease is a common but frequently misunderstood bacterial infection that is transmitted by a tick bite, which, if not caught early and treated properly, can cause serious health problems. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2002, there were 23,763 reported cases of Lyme disease. Ninety-five percent of these cases occurred in just 12 states, including Wisconsin.
You will be pleased to know that I support H.R. 1179. As you are aware, this bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee to ensure that there is integration and communication in efforts to address tick-born diseases and advise relevant federal agencies on priorities related to Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
H.R. 1179 also requires the Secretary of HHS to provide for the coordination of all federal programs and activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
Such efforts include: developing sensitive and accurate diagnostic tools and tests, improving the utilization of diagnostic testing, evaluating the feasibility of creating a national uniform reporting system, providing and promoting access to a clearinghouse of information on such diseases, increasing public education, creating a physician education program, establishing research objectives to determine the long term course of illness for Lyme disease, and determining the effectiveness of different treatment modalities.
H.R. 1179 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which I am a member. Please know that I will keep your views in mind as Congress considers H.R. 1179 or other measures that would provide improved treatment for individuals suffering from Lyme disease.
Again, thank you for sharing your views. Your opinion matters to me. If I can be of service to you in any other way, please do not hesitate to let me know. As a security precaution, all mail sent to Congress is first irradiated. This process causes significant delays. To ensure the fastest response, I encourage all constituents who have access to the internet to contact me through my website at http://tammybaldwin.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Tammy Baldwin Member of Congress
P.S. I regularly send out email updates on federal issues and opportunities. These reports also include regular surveys through which you can express your opinion. If you would like to receive these email updates, you may sign up by visiting my website at: http://www.house.gov/formbaldwin/IMA/get_address_news.htm
Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
That is certainly an encouraging letter! Thanks for sharing.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
lisa,
WHOOPIE!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!
you've got someone SUPPORTING us who is on FRANK PALLONE'S SUBCOMMITTEE ... AN INSIDER!! finally we've got good news.
"H.R. 1179 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which I am a member.
Please know that I will keep your views in mind as Congress considers H.R. 1179 or other measures that would provide improved treatment for individuals suffering from Lyme disease."
what a wonderful way to start our day off with!
i called earlier to conn.'s gov. office to ask her to sign and told her where i was from. she was DUMBFOUNDED I WAS CALLING FROM IOWA "way out THERE!!" she had more to say but we had someone at the door so i had to go ...
IP: Logged |
LisaS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10581
posted
Awesome Betty, do you think I should call her?
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/