ldoadmin

We are all concerned about the latest report from the IDSA statement that they plan to issue their final report regarding the IDSA guidelines review panel by the end of April. We are particularly concerned about whether the IDSA has corrected its voting violations. There may be other actions for the community to take as this unfolds, but right now, it is critical that we continue keeping the pressure on for other state AG’s to send letters to the IDSA (IMPORTANT: cc the CT AG) expressing concern about the voting violations and asking for compliance. Letters from legislators would also help spotlight the importance of the issue. Information on how to do this is posted on CALDA’s website along with the press release issued by CALDA, TFL and the LDA.

The IDSA will issue its final report by the end of April. Did you catch that? Yes, it made an announcement and buried it deep within its website for enterprising spelunkers to find. I think this was another attempt to “not communicate something important.” Someone did find it though and posted it on the web. People joined in. They asked, “How on earth did you find that?”

Recently, a group that writes guidelines asked for my input about the role of patients in the development of Evidence Based Medicine guidelines. With universal healthcare now ‘the law of the land’, treatment guidelines have become even more important. Preserving the integrity of the guideline development- process is what matters most. It is essential that patients play a role in the process that can so affect their lives. The question posed to me was why should those developing guidelines involve patients? My response follows.

The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (MBMP) has agreed to a five-year moratorium on the investigation, disciplining or issuance of corrective action based solely on long-term prescription or administration of antibiotic therapy for chronic Lyme disease. Minnesota joins a growing list of states that provide physician protection either through legislation or agreement, including California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. The MBMP took the action as a compromise to prevent pending physician protection legislation from passing. Any way you look at it, it was a good day for Lyme patients in Minnesota.