Laws to fight Lyme disease introduced in New York
Press release from the New York State Senate:
Senator Sue Serino (Hyde Park) and Senator Kemp Hannon (Nassau) have announced the introduction of legislation aimed at reshaping, and more effectively combating, the fight against Lyme and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) ahead of the upcoming Legislative Session.
The package includes measures that would significantly increase reporting of these diseases to bolster critical research and create a working group comprised of various experts to ensure that the state remains aware of important developments in this ever-evolving field of study.
“So much of the debate surrounding Lyme and TBDs stems from the fact that we simply do not have enough information,” said Senator Serino, Chair of the Senate’s Task Force on the issue.
“In order to save lives and prevent the spread of these devastating diseases we need to make research a top priority, and that starts with bringing everyone to the table and improving our methods of reporting. This bill package is about ensuring that we have a clear picture of the way tick-borne diseases are impacting New Yorkers so that we can more effectively combat them, and I urge my colleagues in both houses to resolve to make these bills a priority in the coming year.”
Senator Kemp Hannon, Chair of the Senate’s Health Committee said, “Misdiagnosis and a lack of proper reporting have plagued this area of study for far too long. These bills will provide the state with a more accurate understanding of Lyme and tick-borne diseases and will help to inform the stakeholders as they implement the statewide action plan that we so desperately need.”
NYS Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker testified at the August hearing that while over 8,000 cases of Lyme and TBDs are reported in the state each year, “there are undoubtedly many more cases, particularly of Lyme disease, that are treated by community physicians and are not reported, or do not meet the case definition.” It is clear that improving reporting methods is critically important to understand just how many New Yorkers are vulnerable.
The package introduced by Serino and Hannon, and co-sponsored by many Task Force members, aims to tackle this issue head-on. Specifically, the bills include:
- A Pilot Program for Lyme and TBD Testing in Children (S. 7169)
This bill would create a pilot program for Lyme and TBD testing in children, through which children with certain diagnoses that have similar symptoms as Lyme and other TBDs could voluntarily be tested for TBDs. Experts have noted that children aged 5-7 have the highest rate of contracting Lyme disease, and by targeting at-risk populations, we can better ensure that those who contract Lyme or other TBDs can be diagnosed and treated early.
- The Creation of a ‘Mental Health Impacts’ Report (S. 7171)
This legislation would require the state to conduct an impact study considering how infectious diseases and blood-borne pathogens, including Lyme and TBDs, may have correlations with mental illness in infected individuals. Such an initiative would enable the State to better address any mental health consequences associated with these infections.
- Improve Reporting Requirements of Lyme and TBDs After Death (S. 7168)
Those responsible for conducting post-mortem examinations would be required to report to the State Department of Health any time they discover that the deceased individual was afflicted with Lyme or any TBD at the time of their death. Such reporting will help improve the accuracy of Lyme and TBDs statistics.
- Lyme and TBDs Working Group (S. 7170)
This legislation would establish a Lyme and TBDs working group to review current best practices for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme and TBDs and ensure that the state remains apprised of new developments in the ever-evolving field.
The bills were drafted as a result of recommendations made in a Task Force report, which was released following a comprehensive public hearing on the topic. Click here to view the full report.
Pennsylvania needs to follow suit! Bravo New York
Wish I had not moved from my home state(NY)to Florida. Florida is where my daughter got bitten by a tick and now has chronic Lyme. Florida legislature does nothing to acknowledge there is a Lyme problem in this state.
I kind of think certain states never will acknowledge Lyme or add tick control measures into their Public Health/Mosquito Abatement programs. Maybe I’m worn out and jaded, but “unpleasant” things like getting sick from insects at a primo vacation destinations just aren’t on the advertising agenda. (you never see Hawaii advertising about recognizing Dengue symptoms – from mosquitoes; the state also insists they don’t have Lyme/ticks…Ignorance not limited to US; look at Australia…geez, did you read that article (posted on this site) from their public health director!
I also am beginning to think big pharma and the lack-of -health-industry WANT people sick. All the specialists, drug companies, even regular doctors, and certainly the Insurance companies wouldn’t make any money if people got proper diagnosis and got well or stayed healthy.
The creation of a “mental health impacts report” is a signal that borreliosis will continue to be perceived as primarily a mental health disease, creating a new market for pharma and a continuation of ignoring the effects on other body systems. This is not good for patients, although it may sell Savella.
Healthcare needs to understand borreliosis complex as MULTI SYSTEMIC infection that can persist, and or resurge, and focus on good treatments for the infections.
Borreliosis patients do not lack access to mental health providers, they lack access for infectious disease care (including confections). This is the consistent problem throughout the country.
I think maybe the intent regarding “mental health impacts’ would be to hopefully train MHP to recognize mental health issues caused by Lyme or Bartonella. It could be one more step in getting proper diagnosis. One study in Europe found that of the homeless, alcoholic men that had psychotic episodes and had to be hospitalized, 74% had Bartonella (spread by lice). I wish I could talk with someone about the Bartonella rage; a professional that didn’t just push drugs; a professional that understood the relationship between the mental issues and the bacterial load, and knew what to do about it. Unfortunately, many shrinks have gone the way of the doctors; follow a simple formula, push some drugs, get patient out of the office, no specialized treatment plan, no one contemplating the persons chart, consulting with others (like they do in Great Britain).
Maybe if employers had facts about the illness, they might be more understanding/tolerant of people struggling with Lyme/TBD that are able to still work but need some concessions made so they can keep their job.
We probably need to educate teachers about TBD too, so that when a good student suddenly starts acting out and having issues, don’t just say ADD – and prescribe drugs – look for the missed underlying cause…
I was, and still am furious about the YEARS wasted by the doctors NOT EVEN TRYING to figure out what was wrong with me; always trying to push their friggin anti-depressants. Even when I had blatant symptoms that IN NO WAY could be attributed to depression!! (such as one eye-bulging , grayed vision and seizures). Finally after a confirmed Lyme & Bart lab test (lucky me) and several years of treatment (but still sick ) I gave up and said, “well could I try Cymbalta for this constant muscle pain and over-reactive nerve pain?” Doc said, “well we need to rule out there isn’t a physical reason for those symptoms – like diabetes.” After years of trying to push the drugs, NOW they refuse?! I went home and nearly broke my hands pounding on the wall in frustration.
Now we need for Medicare, Medicaid and other health insurance to PAY for our medical treatment! Maybe our federal elected officials will do something?! Hang in there “A”. We are ALL frustrated!!
This is such encouraging news! Pray that it passes!