Lyme Disease Groups Finally Given a Voice in the Process

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

Lyme Disease Groups Finally Given a Voice in the Process

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. 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

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 , 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 (NJ-R) and Senator

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 , 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 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:

Chefec

MCPR Public Relations

203-968-6625

www.timeforlyme.org

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