Lyme Disease Education and Support Groups of Maryland
OPPOSED- HB 1168
Commemorative Months – Lyme Disease Awareness Month
March 4, 2012
Dear House Members,
A hearing for HB 1168 was held on March 6, 2012. The testimony was heart-breaking and compelling, reflecting quite accurately what our volunteers deal with on a daily basis. During their testimony, sick patients expressed the need for improved tests, curative treatment for a hideous disease that is destroying lives, and for the controversy surrounding Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment to end, providing them with better access to competent medical care.
We agree resolving these complex issues is paramount, however, we do not feel HB 1168, a bill that would once again declare May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month, will accomplish these goals. Our letter, sent to the HGO Committee opposing HB 1168, has three main points with full documentation and attachments provided. We will be happy to share the larger document with your office upon request; however, in the interest of time, we have summarized our concerns which we will share with you today.
1. The bill is not necessary. The State of Maryland, by way of the Governor, designated May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month over two decades ago. It has since been recognized and celebrated with great fan-fare as an annual tradition by our Maryland support groups, Maryland’s DHMH, past and current Governor’s offices, local jurisdictions, and national and international organizations. What is needed to help raise more awareness is not a bill “requiring” the Governor to do what has already been established, but more volunteers doing the actual work involved in raising public awareness.
2. The wording in the bill’s preamble contradicts policies set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Granted, we do not always agree with those policies, however, we can not support a bill with questionable or inaccurate wording that will be disputed by official government agencies.
3. In the future, and only when the need arises, it is our goal to work together to make good use of the legislators time by presenting fresh, innovative and essential ideas for Lyme-related legislation specifically designed to improve the health of those suffering today, and protect those who contract Lyme in the future. HB 1168, the thoughtful gesture that it is, does not accomplish these goals.
Thank you for your consideration and your continuing support. We hope you have a great summer- and don’t forget, do a tick check!
Sincerely,
Lucy Barnes
Director, Lyme Disease Education and Support Groups of Maryland, for herself and the undersigned national LDA affiliates, state organizations, volunteer advocates and patients.
[NOTE- Personal information removed before posting publicly.]
Lyme Disease Education & Support Groups of Maryland
Lucy Barnes, Director
Harford County Lyme Disease Support Group, Inc.
National Lyme Disease Association (LDA) Affiliate
Jean F Galbreath, President
https://sites.google.com/site/marylandlyme/md-support-groups
Mid-Shore Lyme Disease Association, Inc
National Lyme Disease Association (LDA) Affiliate
Linda Reilly, President
https://sites.google.com/site/marylandlyme/md-support-groups
Central Maryland Lyme Disease Support Group
Robin Ann Wolfenden, Director and Co-founder
https://sites.google.com/site/marylandlyme/md-support-groups
Maryland Volunteer Patient Advocates
Carroll County, Maryland
Harford County, Maryland
https://sites.google.com/site/marylandlyme/md-support-groups
Lyme Disease Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc.
National Lyme Disease Association Affiliate
Doug Fearn, Chair
Lyme Disease Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc.
National Lyme Disease Association Affiliate
Dr. Ron Hamlen, Vice-Chair and Maryland Resident
New Jersey Lyme Disease Resource
J. Phillips, Director
Oregon Lyme Disease Network
National Lyme Disease Association Partner
Theresa Denham, Founder and Past President
Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force
National Lyme Disease Association Supporter
Karen Gaudian, Co-chair
http://www.ridgefieldct.org/content/54/1527/default.aspx
Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force
National Lyme Disease Association Supporter
Margaret Shaw RN, Chair
http://www.brookfieldct.gov/docs-forms/Article/lymedesease.htm