Topic: TX Lyme Bill is on its way to Gov. for signature
TX Lyme Mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3162
posted
In spite of opposition by the Texas Medical Association (TMA), the bill to allow Lyme-friendly physicians in Texas to treat according to ILADS Treatment Guidelines passed last night -- just 3 min. before the mid-night deadline for passage!
Our Texas Constitution (Art. 16, Sect. 31) already affords us this protection, but our overly aggressive Texas Medical Board ignored and flagrantly disregarded our state constitution last year by sanctioning one of our LLMDs, causing him to close his office and retire early rather than to agree to treat according to the IDSA standard of care.
Unfortunately though, a separate bill to reform the abusive practices of our Texas Medical Board by guaranteeing fair due process to Texas physicians failed to pass, thanks to opposition by the Texas Medical Association.
Thus, it remains to be seen how many Texas physicians will be willing to treat Lyme patients for fear of harrassment by the Texas Medical Board based on trivial complaints unrelated to Lyme disease per se filed by "anonymous" complainants (ie, agents of insurance companies).
It will be two more years (2013) before the Texas Legislature convenes again to allow another opportunity to reform the Texas Medical Board.
Posts: 4563 | From TX | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
So, it sounds like at least some improvement -
Why two years? No legislature?!
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Tricky Tickey
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26546
posted
This is still good news for Texans. It will affect a lot of patients, in the positive, I hope.
-------------------- Early Disseminated LD- 2010. Currently doing acupuncture and yoga. Negative Igenex (IND & Pos Bands) ISSUES AFTER: Tendonitis, letter reversal, Low immune system. PREVENTION:SaltC,Iodine,Humaworm, Chiropractic. Posts: 1013 | From In a van down by the river. | Registered: Jun 2010
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Glad to hear this Tx Lyme Mom. Our NH Lyme Bill is in about the same spot. Next and final stop, the Governor.
Good luck in Texas with this. Moving one state at a time, but we need them all.
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Just saw this headline "Perry vetoes texting while driving ban, 22 other bills." What's the chance he passed any Lyme bills?
Posts: 758 | From now TX | Registered: Mar 2001
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momintexas
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23391
posted
I read on the Yahoo Lyme Groups that he signed it on Friday!
Posts: 1408 | From Tx | Registered: Nov 2009
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momintexas
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23391
posted
Supposedly it's listed in here, but I have not had a chance to read through it.
"It's official: SB1360 is now the law of the land! Governor Perry signed it (and also our identical "backup" bill, HB2975) on Friday. Attached is the final, signed version of the bill(s) which is identical to what was passed out of the House and Senate."
"Special thanks to everyone who contacted the Governor and their legislators about this bill. And congrats to all of us who worked on it - it was definitely a team effort! Later this year or early next year, the Texas Medical Board will begin the rule-making process and we will be involved in that process to make sure that the rules for approving Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses are fair and appropriate.
Meanwhile, we really need to encourage ILADS and the other thought leaders on our side of the debate to expedite the development of more Lyme-literate CME courses so that we have a wide range of course options that can be included on the approved list. This is a great opportunity for our side to put its money where its mouth is regarding the advancement of the medical science. I am confident that we can rise to meet this challenge, but it will take a concerted effort - including more involvement in and financial support of ILADS - to move the needle."
Posts: 1408 | From Tx | Registered: Nov 2009
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posted
Greenville, TX Now if we can get more LLMD's in smaller rural towns they may be some vast step towards the right direction. Praying Northeastern States
-------------------- Tick bite in 1999, bullseye rash not seen, treated with 2 rounds of 4 weeks of doxy. (once again in 2 rounds 2005, once in 2009) Symptoms of neurological disease. Now having petite siezures. Tested both pos and neg to lyme over the past few years. Posts: 2 | From Texas | Registered: Jun 2011
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Sorry to say, it doesn't seem that helpful to me. It says if the doctor has taken a CME course, then the medical board has to take that into consideration when they threaten them. Of course, most (all?) the accredited CME courses are written by IDSA.
Let me know if there's something I'm missing here.
Posts: 74 | From MA | Registered: May 2007
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