Lyme Blog Posts
PRESS RELEASE: Tiny Ticks are on the Prowl
As winter weather wanes, millions of nymphal ticks are hatching out in the woods, fields and backyards in many parts of the United States.
POLITICAL ACTION: IDSA Opposes Federal Lyme Bills
At their annual meeting a few years ago, the Infectious Diseases Society of America adopted a policy of opposing patient-sponsored legislation. They have been true…
POLITICAL ACTION: House Appropriations bill adds money for Lyme disease
There’s good news for the Lyme community in a House Appropriations bill that just emerged from committee. Although the economic downturn has forced many programs…
POLITICAL ACTION: History of Federal Lyme Legislation, Part 8
You never pass legislation in a vacuum. The backdrop for the ongoing efforts to pass the Lyme bills included, in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina. In…
POLITICAL ACTION: History of Federal Lyme Legislation, Part 7
It was 2005, the first session of the 109th Congress. There were two competing bills in the House, and no Senate bill. No one knew…
POLITICAL ACTION: History of Federal Lyme Legislation, Part 6
Some advocates had not been satisfied with the amended LIFT bill that had passed the Senate on consent in 2002. Since many people seemed unclear…
POLITICAL ACTION: History of Federal Lyme Legislation, Part 5
Sometimes Congress is busy with other matters, like wars and disasters. Early in 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry, killing all 7 astronauts onboard…
POLITICAL ACTION: State Legislation in the Lymelight
The Connecticut insurance law passed in 1999 is an example of how well-intended legislation can hurt. In response to numerous complaints received by his office…
POLITICAL ACTION: State Legislation in the Lymelight
Rhode Island is the only state in the country requiring health insurance companies to cover longterm intravenous antibiotic treatment for Lyme-disease patients, no strings attached…
POLITICAL ACTION: State Legislation in the Lymelight
Rhode Island was the first state in the nation to pass legislation protecting doctors who treat people with chronic Lyme disease from prosecution by state…
POLITICAL ACTION: History of Federal Lyme Legislation, Part 4
The Lyme drama of 2001 was not confined to Washington, DC. In May the New England Journal of Medicine expedited publication for the Klempner trial,…
POLITICAL ACTION: State Legislation in the Lymelight, Part 3
Legislation intended to combat problems associated with Lyme disease can help, or it can exacerbate the very problems that it is intended to address. LDA…