Local Lyme Group Supports House Bill

University of Maryland

Publication date: Jun 27, 2005

Headline:

Local Lyme groups support House bill

Subhead:

Legislation introduced by Rep. Wayne Gilchrest

Writer:

By SHELLEY BUTER

Staff writer

Body:

EASTON Local Lyme disease organizations were given a reason to hope for change last Tuesday when Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest, R-Md.-1st, introduced legislation that would focus on accurate testing and treatment of the disease.

“I have seen the devastating effects this disease has had on families in my district and the growing costs it has on our economy and communities. This bill is an ambitious but necessary attempt to finally understand and treat this growing epidemic,” Gilchrest said in a statement.

House Bill 2877 would establish a national advisory committee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and would authorize more than $100 million over five years for public and private research into proper diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

“I applaud Congressman Gilchrest for his efforts. I am glad that someone here in Maryland sees the dire need to get Lyme and tick-borne diseases the attention it deserves,” said Lucy Barnes, founder of After The Bite, an information source on Lyme disease.

The bill, titled “Act for Lyme Education and Research and Tick-Borne Diseases,” was also introduced by Congressman Christopher Smith, R-N.J.-4th.

If the bill is passed, it will establish a Tick-Borne Advisory Committee and direct other health agencies, such as the Institute of Medicine, to conduct studies about Lyme disease.

“I think this is a great bill. We need the research so doctors can treat these patients,” said Barnes.

Dyan Redick, founder of the Mid-Shore Lyme Disease Association, agrees that this bill is an important step in research and education.

“It is the best chance we have had to date in getting really strong federal support. It will help us tremendously,” she said.

The Eastern Shore of Maryland has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the state, and Maryland currently ranks as one of the top 12 states in the country with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

In 2004, there were 891 reported cases of the disease in Maryland, said John Hammond, of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

There were more than 90 reported cases in the Mid-Shore counties, with 34 in Queen Anne’s County, 13 in Talbot County, 20 in Caroline County, 15 in Kent County and 8 in Dorchester County, Hammond added.

The CDC reported that for every one case of reported Lyme disease, there are four to five that are unreported, Redick said.

Lyme disease is spread through bacteria carried by deer ticks. The disease causes symptoms such as arthritis, numbness in limbs and dizziness, and can be treated with antibiotics, if properly diagnosed.

A similar bill, House Bill 2526, was introduced by Congresswoman Sue Kelly, R-N.Y.-19th, earlier this month, but Lyme disease organization members say that Gilchrest’s bill targets specific issues and would help those affected by the disease.

“It is a much stronger bill and is backed by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society,” Redick said.

Barnes, who also acts as a Lyme disease educator, said, “It is a ‘do bill’ that addresses the patients’ concerns. It will put action where it is needed. The Kelly bill was introduced several weeks ago and it is a good bill, but I feel the ALERT bill is stronger.”

The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and a joint letter has been distributed by Gilchrest and Smith to members of Congress, asking them to support the bill, said Tony Caligiuri, Gilchrest’s chief of staff.

Courtesy The Star Democrat 2005

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