NEWS: Blumenthal Introduces Lyme Bill
Blumenthal's bill would create a tick-borne disease advisory committee to streamline coordination between federal agencies and private organizations that address tick-borne illnesses. It also calls for the development of more accurate and time-sensitive diagnostic tools to improve surveillance and reporting of tick-borne illnesses to determine their prevalence.
It would create a physician-education program on Lyme-related research that includes "the full spectrum of scientific research," and increase public education through the Centers for Disease Control, and require the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to regularly evaluate guidelines and research on Lyme disease to educate health professionals and to report to Congress.
The Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act would:
Establish a Tick-Borne Disease Advisory Committee: The legislation would establish the Advisory Committee through the Secretary of Health and Human Services in order to streamline coordination between other federal agencies and private organizations addressing tick-borne illnesses. The Advisory Committee would be comprised of “stakeholder constituencies,” which would include doctors and researchers.
Coordinate Increased Research and Development Around Lyme Disease: The legislation directs the Secretary of HHS, in coordination with the Advisory Committee, to develop more accurate and time-sensitive diagnostic tools to strengthen surveillance and reporting of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses, which would help determine prevalence of various illnesses.
Increase Education: The legislation would increase public education through the Community Based Education Programs at the Centers for Disease Control and create a physician-education program that includes the full spectrum of scientific research related to Lyme and other tick-borne disease.
Report on Lyme Disease: The legislation requires the Secretary of HHS to publish a report at the end of each advisory term evaluating published guidelines and current research available on Lyme disease, in order to best educate health professionals on the latest research and diversity of treatment options. It further requires the Secretary of HHS to submit to Congress a report on the activities carried out under this act including a copy of the most recent annual report issued by the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.
Blumenthal’s Press Release here.
News story here.
Thank you, Mr. Blumenthal.
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Also, "a nationwide Public Schools and Public Health Alert for awareness and prevention of serious neurological consequences and long-term health consequences from tick bites, without prompt and proper antibiotic treatment."
I have a young daughter with an infected tick bite that possibly was acquired on a spring school field trip in a known tick-endemic area.
Mr. Blumenthal, thank you for your 10-year relentless compassion and fight for Lyme/Assoc. Disease rights, education, surveillance, diagnosis and treatment guidelines on treatment, on an equal basis for which our forefathers fought for, which our free society is justifiably famous.
It's about time someone does something about Lyme Disease and the co-infections that come with it. It is in EVERY state and it is contaminating our blood supply, as there there is NO DEFINITIVE TEST to determine whether you have it or not. The CDC needs to open their eyes and quit saying it's "not a problem". IT IS A PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. Acute, Chronic and Late Stage. It's no different than Cancer or Aids or any other disease that kills and/or robs you of quality of life.
Dear Mr. Blumenthal,
I really appreciate everything you are trying to do for Lyme disease and its co-infections. This is such a discriminating disease and I am so tired of hearing the controversy that surrounds it. I beleive there's a "snake in the woodpile" and I know you understand what I'm saying? Someday one of these panel members on the IDSA are going to be struck with Lyme and then let's see what happens. I sure won't have any compassion for them as they have no compassion for any of us who live with this disease everyday. Thank you and God Bless You always.