Massachusetts
UPDATE October 2016- Are Insurers Complying With New Law? No.
Five Year History of Attempting To Get A Bill Here:
2010
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the FY11 Budget which contained language on doctor protection for Lyme disease treating physicians. The law permits doctors to clinically diagnose and treat patients long term. The state medical board cannot bring charges against a doctor solely for prescribing long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. Massachusetts advocates worked hard to raise awareness among public officials and the general public. Their stories were a tremendous help in moving this bill to passage.
Bill Number: HB 1148 (Hargraves)
To allow physicians to prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antibiotics for therapeutic purposes to patients clinically diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Introduced (05/20/2009);
Referred to the HOUSE RULES (06/03/2009);
Reported, referred to the JOINT RULES, reported, rules and suspended and referred to the JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH (06/22/2009);
Senate Concurred (06/24/2009);
Reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Public Health (02/09/2010)
Bill was amended (not wanted by advocates) but original version was then appended to budget and passed by both houses. Governor signed into law on June 30, 2010.
2010
Resolve H.4480186th (2009 - 2010)
Resolve A RESOLVE RELATIVE TO LYME DISEASE AND ASSOCIATED CO-INFECTIONS.
RELATIVE TO LYME DISEASE AND ASSOCIATED COINFECTIONS
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 94480 FILED ON: 2/5/2010
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4480
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
By Mr. Sánchez of Boston, for the committee on Public Health, on House Nos. 1148 and 3592, a Resolve relative to lyme disease and associated co-infections (House, No. 4480). February 8, 2010.
_______________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill:
A RESOLVE RELATIVE TO LYME DISEASE AND ASSOCIATED CO-INFECTIONS.
_______________
FOR THE COMMITTEE
2013
Lyme Disease Patients Push For Health Coverage - 22 News WWLP.com
Speliotis Files Bill to Require Health Insurers Expand Coverage for Lyme Disease - DaversPatch
Press Release - MA Lyme Legislative Task Force
Written Testimony - Pat Smith, LDA President
MA Rep. Theodore Speliotis, Bill H.989 Spons
The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Financial Services has announced a hearing on H.989, An Act Relative to Lyme Disease Treatment Coverage, on Wednesday, November 13, 1:00-4:00 at the State House in Boston, Room A2. This bill will require that insurance companies cover open-ended antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease when prescribed by a physician. Advocates ask that you attend the hearing, send written testimony, speak at the hearing, if you are able. Tell them: Where in Massachusetts you are from. Your personal story, briefly, on how Lyme has effected you or your loved ones. The cost of Lyme (personally and economically) to you and your family. This part is important, as this hearing is before the Financial Services Committee. If you were denied your physician-prescribed treatment by your insurance company, please tell the Committee so!
If your senator or representative is also a member of the Financial Services Committee, please speak with that person before the hearing. Our elected state officials need to know that Lyme disease is serious and costly, long term treatment can be essential, and many patients are being denied this treatment by their insurance companies.
Even if you do not plan on speaking or submitting written testimony, please come! Just your presence there sends a message that this bill is important. Let's pack the hearing room!
If you are planning on speaking, you will be limited to 3 minutes. Since we don't want to put the chairman in the awkward position of having to cut you off, please prepare your remarks in advance (3 minutes is about a single spaced page). Practice reading or reciting what you will say, and time yourself.
To send your written testimony, please email it to lymebill@gmail.com or fax it to Trish McCleary at 774-241-0071.
