Face Book Attacks From NatCap Lyme Group

Have you ever gone turkey hunting in the Tidewater area (eastern shore of Maryland & Virginia) in the spring time? I haven't either.

But, the stories I've heard for years about that particular endeavor ALWAYS include reports of the large numbers of mosquitoes and ticks distracting and biting hunters so much that hunters often must quit and go home.

Similarly, trying to respond to Face Book posts when you are being attacked from several different directions makes it difficult for someone to stay focused on the "big turkey". The post below was like going spring turkey hunting with the biting, annoying and distractions. I couldn't keep up with comments that were posted or with those responding sometimes coming at me at a speed of several each minute!

Additionally, the fact that one post or reply is moved down in line as you type, and responses aren't in order or on topic when that happens, makes posting on Face Book difficult.

Below I have shared the posts from one of the NatCap Lyme members (and attorney), who is also their legislative council. Susan Green's posts are highlighted in blue and my posts are in black font.

Some comments I was able to respond to directly on Face Book in spite of the annoying "mosquitoes". Other posts that should have been addressed were missed during this feeding frenzy and are marked as such below (ADDED).

MY GOAL FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAS BEEN TO TRY TO ADDRESS A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT HURTS ALL OF US.

I'M TRYING TO GET A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE TO STOP ATTACKING OTHER ADVOCATES/PATIENTS/GROUPS, BAD MOUTHING OTHERS AND SPREADING LIES.

THE LYME COMMUINTY IS SICK OF THIS DISPICTABLE BEHAVOIR AND IT NEEDS TO STOP AFTER GOING ON UNCHECKECED FOR DECADES.

FOR THE RECORD- I DON'T HATE THE PEOPLE DOING IT, BUT I DO HATE WHAT THEY ARE DOING. MY MESSAGE TO THEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN...

PLEASE STOP!

Maryland Lyme Disease Support Group- Face Book Page. Link Here- https://www.facebook.com/groups/205504456180483/permalink/1956118154452429/#

Posted by NatCap Lyme Legislative Counsel, Susan Green- Attorney

My parents raised me well, leaving me with many life lessons, all of which have served me well. In recent weeks, my colleagues and I have been the victims of defamatory, libelous statements regarding our service to the Lyme community. These attacks are unfounded, false and made with reckless disregard to the truth.

ADDED- You show no examples at all of this happening in "recent weeks" or ever. You only claim it is happening.

I am reminded of one of the many lessons my parents taught me... never mud wrestle with a pig. You get muddy and the pig enjoys it. It is for that reason that I choose not to name this individual here but rather have referred her information to others for further handling.

ADDED- In other words, you've spread more lies and gossip behind the scenes, inciting others to attack using more false information. And read further. You did TRY to identidfy me and failed. So much for this last statement.

I would however, like to dispel the misinformation that has been circulated about me.

ADDED- You know none of this has anything to do with what you claim your goal is, which is to "dispell the misinformation". First you kick others, spread more lies behind the scenes, then you brag on yourself.

1) For years, I have gone on the record raising concerns about the safeguards for insuring fair representation of the Lyme Community as designated in the Gibson and Blumenthal Working Group Bills.

2) In a conference call with Senator Blumenthal and Advocacy leaders from around the country, I expressed my concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest and stated that I was willing to execute a financial disclosure form. I called upon the other advocates on the call to agree to do the same. I came under attack from many of those individuals. Monte Skall joined me in that request and agreed to make full disclosure.

3) The Board of Partners Against Lyme and Tick Associated Diseases (PALtad.org), authored a white paper expressing our concerns that there were insufficient safeguards to insure a balanced composition of the working group. At that time, the agencies had no voting rights.

Despite our concerns, many advocacy leaders pushed for the Working Group. At the 11th hour, our fears came to fruition when the Working Group was swept into the 21st Century Cures Act and the agencies were given full voting rights. Once the bill was passed despite our words of caution, we made a conscious election to continue to serve our community in whatever capacity we could.

4) NatCapLyme’s General Counsel Gregg P. Skall, was a presenter at the opening of the HHS TBDWG. His presentation was powerful and comprehensive of the issues. I personally testified on the access to care issue. Both of our presentations can be found on YouTube.

https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/…/gregg-skall-advocates…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-YvMgMQWerw

5) Neither Monte Skall nor I have ever received compensation for the work that we have done for NatCapLyme, ILADS, patient support or speaking engagements. We have been committed to giving back to and educating the community whenever needed.

6) I was asked to serve on the Access to Care subcommittee. At the time that I was selected, I was defending one or more physicians, spearheading legislation pertaining to access to care and was asked to sign an ethics contract that I felt had the potential to create information that could potentially violate the duty that I owed the Drs. or the committee.

After consult with counsel, my malpractice carrier and others, it was determined that I was conflicted out for the integrity of all. On February 14, 2018, I sent the letter below, declining the appointment but offering to testify before the committee. I will be testifying before months end.

To those of you who have no interest in this subject matter, I apologize for the lengthy intrusion. For those of you who follow the uninformed ranting of one instigator, I share the following advice...

Take caustic posts attacking others within our community with a substantial dose of skepticism, don’t believe everything you read and support those who are hard at work fighting for the interests of the community. Our records speak for themselves. As always, I consider it a privilege and honor to serve.

ADDED- Your letter seems to serve a duel purpose. 1.) to tell people why you accepted the position on the new federal Tick Borne Disease Working Group then several months later why you suddenly quit. 2.) To try to discredit anyone that doesn't agree with your position or opinions.

Concerns- You stated above... "I was willing to execute a financial disclosure form."

If you read the rules set forth for the federal TBD working group, that was a requirement for applying to and/or becoming a member. It was not a choice. Telling people here that you were "willing" to do what was required by law is not really relevant.

You also stated... "I have gone on the record raising concerns about the safeguards for insuring fair representation of the Lyme Community."

Most of the volunteer patient advocates and organizations have done the same thing and have been doing so for years, if not decades, before you jumped into the political arena. That's nothing new, nothing relevant and it is not an exciting news bite.

On your conference call you mentioned that "Advocacy leaders from around the country" were participating. I don't know who was invited to be on the call or who set it up, but again, long time Maryland group leaders and patient advocates were not. (To note- I don't have regular phone access, so I personally wouldn't have wanted to be asked, but others should have been.)

You also stated that during that conference call you personally "came under attack from many of those individuals." Since I wasn't on the call- knew nothing about it- and the other Maryland group leaders weren't, you must have a lot of other people across the country that also disagree with you. And really now...

Did they "attack" you personally Susan Green? Or did they just not agree with your opinion, which you tend to refer to when it hapens as you being "attacked".

You stated... "Despite our concerns, many advocacy leaders pushed for the Working Group." Again, Susan Green, it appears even without me anywere near this situation, that many people didn't want to follow your course of action. You do know people are allowed to not follow your lead, right?

You also stated... "Once the bill was passed despite our words of caution, we made a conscious election to continue to serve our community in whatever capacity we could." What we've seen coming from a handful of people you are involved with is the repeated harassment of the working group itself and the members on it, who happen to come from some (not all) of the groups that have not partnered with you.

You might ask yourself... WHY have they not partnered with us? Very simply, they do not want to be associated with your groups due to their bad reputations and the lies, spreading of rumors and for working against the patients and community.

When you blast others who are working on our side on the federal group (who have not quit as you did), that is not the proper or professional way to "serve" your community "in whatever capacity you could." That's more like revenge, hate, jelousy or one of many other words that could be used here.

You stated... "Neither Monte Skall nor I have ever received compensation for the work that we have done for NatCapLyme, ILADS, patient support or speaking engagements."

My guess is 99% of sick patients, advocates, group leaders, etc. who are educating others and doing volunteer work either part-time or day in and day out (some for decades) also have not been paid for their work.

Just so you know, that is the definition of a "volunteer"- working for free- and is irrelevant in this discussion because it is the "norm".

Does this also mean you have never accepted money for dispensing advise, inserting yourself into legal cases or appearing at hearings relating to Lyme disease? Are you doing that legal work "pro-bono"?

I would think having your name and pictures in print on a regular basis must increase your exposure (at no cost) and help you with getting clients. For example, see your own FB page with at least 40 photos of yourself to share. Or maybe getting in with a group where you can meet potential clients isn't still a popular business model any more?

Before responding, take a look at your most recent face book post...

You also mention you gave up the position on the TBD working groups in lieu of keeping your paying clients. And you could not sign the "ethics contract" required of all members for that reason. But, you said, you'll be "offering to testify before the committee. I will be testifying before months end."

That is what amounts to getting all the glory and doing none of the real work like the other advocates still on the committee are doing. And the current members are busting hard and non-stop to try to make positive changes for all of us- all the while being tormented and harassed by a handful of people you are involved with who aren't doing the actual work.

Then in your final statement you switch back to again try to discredit someone who simply doesn't agree with your viewpoint, saying.. "For those of you who follow the uninformed ranting of one instigator, I share the following advice..."

That's not nice. Let's try to show some respect if you will please.

~~~

Lucy Barnes Susan Green- I'd love to hear that the lies, rumors, bad behavior, etc. that is being exposed, that has been ongoing for years, will FINALLY be stopped.

I know it can't be denied (skirted around for those who don't know), but you all can stop it and make things much better for patients and all involved. That's all I ask.

And trying to hide who you are talking about (that mud/pig reference you made didn't really give it away) is about as obvious as trying to hide an elephant in a tea cup.

If you've got something to say, an apology to patients and other groups would be nice, please just say it. There are many group leaders, advocates and patients waiting for this stuff to stop, not just me.

Susan Green Thanks to each and every one of you. I so appreciate your shared sentiments but please know that I am very aware of the support that I have from most of the community and I love you guys. This post was made not to garner kudos but rather to dispel the attacks that have been made on me and my colleagues.

To the best of my knowledge, it is one individual with an audience and a rather concerning agenda. I felt the need to address the rumors and lies that were published about us.

ADDED- You haven't provided any evidence of any rumors or lies- you simply claim there are some floating around. I call them varying opinions backed by facts, you call them lies.

The only information that includes your group that I've seen, other than what you've put out there about yourselves, has all been documented fully. If you have a specific statement you find false from anyone and can prove it to be false in spite of the documentation provided, please let me know. (BTW- Using unnamed sources or unconfirmed statements is not true documentation.)

~~~

Lucy Barnes It appears some comments have been edited out. I had told at least two people I would come back to reply to their concerns, but when posts are removed it is difficult.

I do remember two people asked if I'd ever helped anyone.

And one person questioned the fact I said I was worn out from doing hurricane repairs all day- saying there were no recent hurricanes (as if I was lying?)

Let's start with the burning questions- have I ever helped anyone. See below.

Lucy Barnes Rather than trying to explain it all, if you are interested, here is my story... https://sites.google.com/.../md-support.../after-the-bite

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 2d

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 2d

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 2d · Edited

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 2d · Edited

Susan Green To all of those who have come to our defense, thank you! In law, there is a often used quote, “res ipsa loquitur”. It means “the thing speaks for itself”

Please note that this post was intended solely to correct misinformation and set the record straight. At no time did I name the individual nor did I engage in character assassination. I am committed to staying that course.

ADDED- You did try to name the individual more than once- you just got it wrong then made up more lies to try to cover yourself. And if this FB ranting on your part isn't considered "character assignation" I don't what is? You, as legislative counsel, Gabrielle Sanchez as the PR person and others associated with NatCap Lyme continue to attack and salm people rather than just doing the right thing and honor a request to stop all this bad behavior.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the individual who feels compelled to attack me and my colleagues. I do believe our respective behaviors speak volumes about who we are and our conduct.

ADDED- It is not an "attack" if someone disagrees with your opinion. It is not an "attack" if someone disagrees with your opinion and tells others they disagree. It's life and everyone's right to speak as we please. (You know, it's one of those annoying Constitutional things that only gets in the way if someone doesn't like the message or the messenger.)

The "attack" comes when you and others try to kill the messenger instead of addressing the facts presented in a decent and reasonable manner.

~~~

Lucy Barnes The false statements you've made have no purpose and need to stop. Example- The red bold font (along with all the other wording) is Janet's words, the blue font is my responses to those comments. And there are a number of others much worse than this one. https://sites.google.com/.../2016-hb.../nat-cap-janet-jensen

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 2d

Lucy Barnes Here you (Janet Jensen) and Susan Green while under oath are trying to convince legislators you don't know me "never heard of me" and never heard of the large Harford County group that has been active there for two decades. It's on film too. I have no clue why you all must try to discredit others instead of using the facts to support your efforts. This needs to stop. https://sites.google.com/.../2018-maryland.../hb-880-sb-793

Susan Green Janet, no need to apologize.... it is not your fault. I think it is apparent the type of unwarranted assault that we have been under.

Again, I have no desire to hurt this individual or say bad things about her, I merely wanted to correct the record. I hope that she gets the help she needs and turns her attention to more productive endeavors.

Like · Reply · 2d

Susan Green I did not want to identify you when I started this thread but you seem to need to be acknowledged.

Lucy Barnes , Theresa Beck, Tin Cup or whomever you are, I do not know you. I have never met you.

ADDED- Susan Green, do you "know" the guy who cans the tomoatoes that you recently ate? Probably not. If you were given his name would you stalk, attack and discredit him too for no reason at all, or even for his opinions if he shared them? How about his coworkers? I think not. (Well, I hope not, and most likely, so does he!)

How well do you have to "know" someone to know them? Really now, think about it.

You know I am one of the ones you slammed on another public board in the past that got you tossed off the board for your bad behavior. Hard to forget that big ouch, isn't it? You called yourself "Hardball" and I am Tincup. These are the names we substitute for real names to be inline with LymeNet's rules and suggestions (to NOT post real names do the the dangers, stalking, etc.).

You know of my work in the community that has been ongoing for decades. I have put my name to all of my writings (Lucy Barnes or Tincup) and often share my email address and mailing address too.

Your comment that I "hide behind my websites" makes no sense since my name and contact information is on it for anyone to find.

PLUS... Your friend that you've mentioned at least 5-6 times in this one post, Monte Skull, has known me since she first started a group. I helped her with getting it going.

In fact, Monte's talked to me in person many times over the years and on the phone also. I did a presentation (by conference call- too sick to travel) for her Board members year ago upon her request.

I attended a Lyme advocate meeting in PA (in or near Gettsyburg if I remember right) and spent a couple of days with her there. I was at Dr. Z hearings in Virginia (I believe she was there?) and at Dr. J's hearing in North Carloina with her for several days (I know she was there).

I don't believe, sorry I don't remember, if she was at any of Dr. Charles R. Jones hearings (6-8 of them) in CT when I was there, but she knows the work I've done supporting him since day one and the work I've done supporting our other doctors with their legal issues over the years. (And all for free by the way.)

I even know and have met her husband at least once- in PA at a meeting of Lyme advocates. I also helped Monte the day she slipped in the shower at the hotel and hurt her ribs at one of the many conferences we attended. I worked with her on bills that were dumped in our laps years ago that we had to fight together because they turned bad and would have hurt the patients and our doctors.

By simply Googling my name on any of the documents I've submitted to legislators or articles I've published (over 300) you can get a good idea what I am about. You can also ask the original LLMD's if they've ever met me or know of my work. I don't know of any who don't.

You admit to reading about me on the Hurricane Irma site that had a lot of details, even pictures of where I am living and what I've been doing.

IMPORTANT- After having my legal name on nearly 100% of my Lyme documents and not being satisfied for some reason, you (and I can't help but laugh here) claimed to have seen my name in my highschool year book too.

That's another lie and it is right here in your post!

How long did you have to stalk me to even try to find that false information you posted? BTW- I don't even have a copy of my year book, so if you dug, you must have dug deep, then ended up with nothing and are making up lies to try to prove yourself correct. WHY would you do that? No respect for others and/or their privacy?

And what does high school year book have to do with a legislative bill on Lyme disease? Right! NOTHING!

And that is "stalking"; it's not an innocent act as you tried to claim. There is no reason for you or your colleagues or friends to try stalk someone and/or try to find a persons year book just because someone submitted a letter to legislators with a differeing opinion than yours.

And by stalking someone and then claiming you had their name right out of the person's high school year book, then trying to deny your stalking by saying it was "investigation and preparation" and not stalking.... well, you are only adding to the growing pile of lies.

While stalking me, did you check for Catholic high schools around the country to try to sort that out and find a year book they may have had a copy of in their possession? (My family was military and I've lived in many places while they served our country.)

Did you consider the fact I was not a teenage bride and may have once had a name that I only used as a child? Did you consider that I may have had one or two or ten married names since that time? Since I wasn't a teenage bride, none of my adult legal names or penn names would have been in a thirty or more year old highschool year book, now would they?

And, if you had seen it like you claim you had, I know you didn't because there is no such thing, you made up names anyway. (More lies.)

So what is it you want? A kiss to say you "know me"? (I HOPE NOT!)

But, seriously, you said yourself you saw my written testimony and other things over the years that had my personal information on it (name, address, email address, etc..), and you said I've been fighting you for many years- so you obviously know me from that (even though I've been fighting bills and not you), so what is it that you want? What makes you stalk others, other than to try info to use to attack them with?

How familiar or close do I have to get to you for you to admit you know me or know of me as Janet asked in the video that was made while you all were under oath? And how about that poor guy canning your tomoatoes? Shall I warn him about your special "ways"? Maybe tell him to hide his year book now that we know that's your m.o. (modus operandi)?

~ ~ ~

You have written opposition testimony for every bill that I have ever been involved with, some of which have been statements that would shock the Lyme community you claim to represent.

ADDED- 1st- Susan Green, its unfortunate you've been involved in all of these bad bills, but not being experienced and not having a long history of involvement in the Lyme community will cause problems for anyone when they rush in and jump head first into the Lyme related political arena.

And if you needed help from someone who does have a lot of experience, you knew how to reach me, the LDA, the LDO and/or you could have read the information provided right on this site. Oh, that's right, you did. You just didn't like it because the facts didn't agree with your opinions.

2nd- I don't claim to "represent" anyone without their permission. Ask your buddies down there in the lower easter shore. They were once part of our Lyme Disease Education and Support Groups of Maryland.

They "were" I mentioned, until one day one of their members took an ammendment to Annapolis for all of us with the finalized wording we had agreed on. They were simply to drop it off.

But, without saying a word to any of us she changed the wording (in cohoots with Monte) to read something else. Our names were left on the document as if we had agreed to this wording and we didn't even know about it until after the fact.

Surprisingly, she couldn't be reached by phone for several days because she was "getting her hair cut".

Anyhow, the remaining group leaders still work together very nicely after all these years and have given me permission to do what I can when bills show up. Together we have over 80 years experience doing what we do.

3rd- As for "shocking" the Lyme community, I don't think so. I sent emails out to all doctors, patients, group leaders in Maryland and surrounding states (that I had) to keep them totally informed and ask their opinions/input before, during and after working on the bills. I shared drafts with them. I shared the press releases with them. True, I didn't kiss them all, but hey, we volunteers only can do so much!

And if you hadn't checked, all of the testimony I've submitted on my behalf or when representing groups was posted on the MarylandLyme.org website (until it became too full and I had to move all of the legislative documents to this new site) and they have since been on this public website for all to view.

I don't hide things, I don't sneak around and I don't lie. I have been transparent the entire time. Not so much you, NatCap Lyme, Barbara Buckman and a few others.

You have claimed to be a Maryland resident but gave an address that was an empty street, not associated with you. In a go fund me page, where you raised over $10,000 from the Lyme community to repair your trailer, you claimed to be a fifth generation Florida resident. I have no idea who you are other than the fact that under an alias, you post articles and information that are frequently informative and helpful to the community.

As for your “support” groups, many of them are actually run by other organizations. You have opposed every bill we have ever worked on, even a commemorative bill asking that May be designated Lyme Awareness Month!

So no, I do NOT know you, never met you, have no idea what State you actually are a resident of but I do know that someone using the alias Lucy Barnes, has been disparaging us for 10 years and opposed important legislation for the Lyme community. You oppose these bills having been invited to get involved to contribute your insights. In summation, I have no idea who you are or why you seem to hate Monte Skall and I. We do not spread falsehoods about you nor do we have the time to engage in the imaginary war that you believe we are waging against you. We are far too busy with our advocacy and careers.

So, you say this must end and the community needs to mend and stop the dissension? Once again, Monte Skall and I offer to meet you and dispel your concerns. We work with advocacy groups all over the country.

We are an inclusive group and will happily work with any bonafide advocate or organization. We have extended this offer many times but you always refuse, preferring to hide behind your website and attack us on an ongoing basis.

Please let me know your willingness or In the alternative, your intention to continue to hide behind your website and attack. We have a plethora of material posted by “Lucy Barnes” that is defamatory, false, libelous and actionable. We are as fed up as you!

Whatever your reply, please try to keep it to “happy to” or “not interested”. This thread has exceeded its relevance date at the end of the first day and I’m quite sure the Lyme community has no interest in the persistent campaign you seem to be waging. I started out with the intention of simply correcting the lies you were disseminating about me.

Lucy Barnes Susan Green - Your post is so inaccurate in every way it reminds me of the articles Phil Baker writes when he is trashing us along with all things Lyme. Don't know where to start or what to address first? Maybe this quote from your post... "You have written opposition testimony for every bill that I have ever been involved with..."

Well, that alone should have given you all a clue- hint hint- that they was something seriously wrong with them. And I wasn't the only one who opposed them. And, believe it or not, I don't have magical powers to make legislators do anything just cause I want them to. They often killed those bills because they were plain old stupid. Examples...

Like · Reply · 1d

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 1d

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 23h

Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 23h

Lucy Barnes Had you asked me and not hidden what you all were doing each time, I'd have gladly told you none of those bills were going to pass. But, for some reason you just keep going around me, Maryland patients, Maryland advocates and our support groups. And the info wasn't hard to find on your own if anyone had bothered to do even a little research. Check it out... https://sites.google.com/.../md-support.../after-the-bite

Susan Green Lucy Barnes , I have personal knowledge that you were invited each and every time to be a part of and Co-create legislation that you could support but you declined the invitations and submitted testimony to impede any progress that was being made. Fortunately, your testimonies were so unbelievable and full of untruths that you lost credibility. Additionally, your calls to two Senators office attacking the Senator helped you secure the well deserved reputation that you now have.

Like · Reply · 23h

Like · Reply · 23h

Susan Green Lucy Barnes , the only person that came on this thread “trash talking” is YOU! I never even mentioned your name

Lucy Barnes How about this statement you made... "You have claimed to be a Maryland resident but gave an address that was an empty street, not associated with you."

Sooooo... You've taken up stalking sick patients and advocates? Is that part of your job with NatCap? Or just a fun past time? And what exactly business of yours is it? Do you dig into everyone's personal information like that, or am I special? What's next- a peek into my underwear drawer?

Actually, I know you all have been doing this in an effort to discredit me. That's not real "lawyerly" of any of you and I am sure the AGC would frown on those actions.

BTW- when you look at a map you must use some imagination. I know they typically just show lines to represent roads, but there are actually buildings there too. The road you mentioned that was "empty" has the QAC High School, a shopping plaza, many homes and many other businesses. Soooo, wrong again.

Like · Reply · 23h

Susan Green- Lucy Barnes , our lobbyist google mapped the address you gave. That’s called investigation and preparation NOT stalking. Your true name is right out of your high school Year Book!

Lucy Barnes Susan Green You said.. "our lobbyist google mapped the address you gave. That’s called investigation and preparation NOT stalking. Your true name is right out of your high school Year Book!"

WOW! Does your "lobbyist" stalk all of the people who respond to bad or stupid bills? Do they tell you all to lie and trash others? If so, I think you should ask for a refund. BTW- You all have yet to come close to my "true name", my "Christian name", my "legal name" or any of my pen names (yes, I am an author too).

And if you did and posted it in an attempt to attack me or hurt me or others, well that's not real lawyerly of you either and there would be no other reason for doing so.

And you've got to think about that claim you made. Perhaps you were married in high school and it showed your married name in your high school year book (?). If so, that's fine. But, I wasn't married in high school, and it isn't in my year book, and you just keep on getting in deeper and deeper with this crazy talk.

I just want you all to stop with the sneaking around- like this example- and stop the lying and promoting the lies, and stop kicking groups and patients and advocates around. It's real simple. And it is a choice you ALL have of doing the right thing or the wrong thing.

Susan Green My personal favorite HB 290, a physician protection bill brought by a very strong supporter of the Lyme community, Delegate Jocelyn Pena-Melnyk.

Monte and I saw that the proposed original draft of the bill was going to be detrimental to the community. IT WAS NOT OUR BILL but we did what responsible advocates do and provided her with copies of the gold standard physician protection bills that had passed around the country. You were once again, invited by the Delegate to assist and were copied on each and every version of the drafting. You declined.

Instead of assisting, you took the poorly drafted version of the first iteration and deceitfully sent it to the ILADS Board, scaring them into sending a letter to kill a bill that would have protected physicians in Maryland!!!! You knew that the draft you sent them was NOT the draft before the House and that the bill being heard was actually the Connecticut bill, which was the gold standard at the time.

You had the ILADS Board send letters to the Health and Government Operations Committee opposing the bill meant to PROTECT THEM!! When they learned the truth they sent a letter recanting and supporting the bill but it was too late to save it. As a result of your deceitful actions, the Chair of HGO told the members no more Lyme bills! It took me years to undo the damage you did!

Susan Green Does this mean you don’t want to meet, air grievances, make peace?

Susan Green Does it make you feel better to keep attacking me? I have broad shoulders. I can take it but quit lying!!!

1

Like · Reply · 22h

Susan Green Lucy Barnes you were invited to participate in each bill that I was involved in. I was present when Senators and Delegates reached out to you for your feedback before the final drafts. When I have some time on my hands, I’ll post your oppositions and let the community decide whether you should have worked with our legislators to provide constructive feedback or just file opposition testimony to try and kill every bill brought to help Maryland residents.

You had an opportunity to meet with us and try to mend your perceived slights but instead, you chose to once again try to attack me and demean me. You consistently prove who and what you are!

Susan Green Belinda Hobson, Barbara Reed White, thank you both for defending us but please, it’s not worth it. Please just take care of yourselves.

Lucy Barnes Good night! I know now you all aren't going to stop this bad behavior, so we are done.