Lyme Disease Groups Finally Given a Voice in the Process

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PR Web

August 8, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

MCPR Public Relations

 

 

Lyme Disease Groups Finally Given a Voice in the Process

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3684#newspost_

(http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk/news.php?start=2820 & end=2840 & view=yes & id=3684\

#newspost)

_http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/08/prweb2725314.htm_

(http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/08/prweb2725314.htm)

 

Patient advocates and physicians concerned with the treatment of chronic

Lyme disease finally had their voices heard at a July 30 hearing mandated by

a legal settlement between Connecticut's Attorney General and the

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

 

 

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) August 8, 2009 -- Patient advocates and

physicians concerned with the treatment of chronic Lyme disease finally had

their

voices heard at a July 30 hearing mandated by a legal settlement between

Connecticut's Attorney General and the Infectious Diseases Society of America

(IDSA). More than a year after an investigation by Atty. Gen. Richard

Blumenthal into the 2006 IDSA Lyme Guidelines' development revealed conflicts

of

interest by members of the IDSA guidelines' panel, a new panel heard

testimony on whether the guidelines required revision. Insurance companies use

the

current highly restrictive treatment guidelines to deny patients

reimbursement for medical care.

 

 

The panel heard testimony from 18 invited presenters, including patients,

researchers and physicians at the hearing, which was broadcast live on the

internet and which will remain on the IDSA website for one year. See HERE

_http://webcast.you-niversity.com/idsaArchives/_

(http://webcast.you-niversity.com/idsaArchives/) . Roughly 300 pages of

scientific analysis and 1600

pages of peer reviewed scientific evidence refuting the guidelines was

submitted to the panel in advance of the hearing.

 

 

**This panel heard an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence refuting

these guidelines, which the previous panel had suppressed. The need to

materially revise these guidelines is plain, and we hope this panel will

finally do the right thing by patients** said attorney Lorraine Johnson, a

former

Lyme patient and Chief Executive Officer of the California Lyme Disease

Association, who spoke at the hearing.

 

 

Those who attended the hearing included the NIH Program Director,

representatives of Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ-R) and Senator Christopher

Dodd (CT-D), the HHS Inspector General's office, the CDC, and the Connecticut

Attorney General's Office. " We are heartened to have the science supporting

patients' interests finally heard and gratified that this issue has

sparked interest among federal legislators and agencies, " said Pat Smith,

President of the national Lyme Disease Association whose daughters have suffered

with Lyme disease.

 

 

Opposition to the IDSA guidelines has been growing- the International Lyme

and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) and the Association of American

Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), oppose the restrictive recommendations as do

almost 41,000 signers of the LDA's website petition against the Guidelines.

Legislation protecting physicians who fail to comply with the IDSA

guidelines from medical board sanctions has passed in three states,

Connecticut,

California and Rhode Island.

 

 

**This dialogue would not have happened without the strong vision and

leadership of the CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who investigated this

controversy, uncovered the facts, and called for this review,** said Diane

Blanchard, Co-President of Time for Lyme. **We hope it sets the stage for

further dialogue,**

 

 

The panel is expected to make a determination by the end of the calendar

year.

 

 

Time for Lyme, the national Lyme Disease Association, and California Lyme

Disease Association are non-profit organizations that were founded by

individuals who had personal experience with Lyme disease, in order to address

the lack of research, education and support services available for this

newly emerging infection.

 

 

Contact:

 

Melissa Chefec

MCPR Public Relations

203-968-6625

_www.timeforlyme.org_ (http://www.timeforlyme.org)