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No Warranties or Representations
The data and information presented in this web site are presented in good faith and believed to be accurate regarding Lyme disease (commonly misspelled lymes disease lyme's disease lime disease limes disease) and other related diseases. Any and all liability for the content or any omissions including any inaccuracies, errors, or misstatements in such data or information is expressly disclaimed. The web site is compiled for the sole purpose of informing community members of resources and information pertaining to Lyme Borreliosis Disease and its coinfections. Lyme disease symptoms may vary from person to person.
The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, Directors and members are not liable for any direct or indirect damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortious action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of information available from this website.
Consult a qualified Lyme ( Borreliosis ) Disease literate doctor for medical advice if Lyme Disease is suspect to discuss your Lyme Disease Symptoms.
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SENATE & HOUSE LYME BILLS:
$100 MILLION FOR LYME RESEARCH & EDUCATION
ILADS ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR BILLS
Bethesda, MD November 9, 2005 - The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) announces its strong support for two new companion bills introduced in Washington July 25 and 26: Senate bill S-1479 introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) for himself and Senator Rick Santorum (PA), and House bill HR-3427 introduced by Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ) for himself and Congresswoman Sue Kelly (NY). The "Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2005," authorizes an additional $100 million for Lyme disease research, education and prevention over five years and provides goals that address the issues surrounding Lyme disease. About 220 thousand Americans develop Lyme each year, making it the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the US today. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), only 10% of cases that meet its criteria are reported.
The companion bills provide a much needed and higher level of resources dedicated to Lyme disease. They also contain numerous measures to ensure that resources are expended effectively to provide the most benefit to people with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases (See http://thomas.loc.gov/ for text).
The bills direct the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to promote development of a sensitive and accurate diagnostic test; improved surveillance and prevention; and clinical outcomes research to determine the long-term course of illness and effectiveness of different treatments. The legislation establishes a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee to ensure interagency coordination and communication among federal agencies, medical professionals, and patients/patient advocates.
The legislation provides $100 million over 5 years for research and education, a significant commitment in the fight against tick-borne diseases. Additionally, the bills require examination of existing testing methods and research into new diagnostic tests for Lyme disease. According to Raphael Stricker, MD, ILADS President, "ILADS fully supports the passage of the companion Lyme bills HR-3427 and S-1479 and urges the general medical community to support them. These bills address the pressing needs of the medical community to improve our understanding of the relatively common, increasingly widespread, and potentially devastating complications of Lyme disease."
The companion bills also call for examination of the feasibility of a reporting system for collecting data on physician-diagnosed cases that do not meet the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) surveillance criteria for Lyme disease, which are very narrow and miss many cases. The lack of comprehensive surveillance leads to lower numbers, which in turn leads to a lack of government focus on the disease.
A Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee will be created within the Department of Health & Human Services. Scientists, physicians, patients, and advocacy groups will be a part of the committee. The composition of the committee will be balanced and present all aspects of the Lyme disease spectrum from acute to chronic.
ILADS is a professional medical society whose membership includes hundreds of physicians and health care providers well versed in the management of Lyme disease, many of whom are well-recognized and widely published experts in the field of tick-borne diseases.
ILADS is asking those interested in chronic Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to call their congressman today and express support. Go to www.ilads.org for information on ILADS.
PRESS CONTACT:
Barbara Buchman (301) 263 1080
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