Doctors who give longer treatments for Lyme disease would not be subject to disciplinary action by the state.

Doctors need help in Lyme fight

by the Poughkeepsie Journal Editorial Board, May 22, 2014

The fight against Lyme disease has to be treated far more aggressively. Period.

And that fight must take many forms. It’s distressingly clear that the federal government hasn’t been doing enough. And one of the biggest obstacles has been dealing with long-term illnesses, people who may have symptoms of chronic Lyme disease.

In some cases, the government has actually gone after doctors who have wanted to prescribe long-term antibiotic therapy and, of course, insurance companies will do anything they can to avoid having to pay these bills.

But legislation in Albany at least would protect doctors who believe long-term therapy is the way to go. This legislation, sponsored by state Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson, has passed the Assembly.

A companion bill, sponsored by state Sen. Terry Gipson, D-Rhinebeck, awaits passage in the Senate, and it’s imperative it go through.

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