The Vermont legislature just passed Lyme bill H123, which acknowledges the severity of chronic Lyme disease, the role of co-infections in chronic illness, and the need for individualized treatment according to ILADS guidelines. The bill also contains language that protects health care practitioners from disciplinary action from the Vermont board of medical practice for diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases according to ILADS guidelines, allowing practitioners to treat according to their best clinical judgement. This is a huge political step forward, and Vermont now joins a growing number of other states who have passed doctor protection laws. The passage of this bill is in accordance with a recent CDC study showing that over 50% of physicians in the United States diagnose and treat Lyme disease according to ILADS guidelines, not IDSA guidelines.
Lyme disease is increasingly widespread in Vermont and has become endemic in the State, contributing to rising health care costs and disability. I have personally seen many Vermonters who had to leave their state to get treated for tick-borne infections because of their physicians fear of reprisal from medical boards. I testified in front of the Vermont Senate and House last year on this bill, and presented the science behind the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and associated tick-borne infections . I applaud the Vermont legislature for taking the time to understand the science behind the illness, and helping patients get the care that they so desperately need. The bill unanimously passed 140 to 0.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2014/journal/HJ140311.pdf#page=6
Lyme disease is increasingly widespread in Vermont and has become endemic in the State, contributing to rising health care costs and disability. I have personally seen many Vermonters who had to leave their state to get treated for tick-borne infections because of their physicians fear of reprisal from medical boards. I testified in front of the Vermont Senate and House last year on this bill, and presented the science behind the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and associated tick-borne infections . I applaud the Vermont legislature for taking the time to understand the science behind the illness, and helping patients get the care that they so desperately need. The bill unanimously passed 140 to 0.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2014/journal/HJ140311.pdf#page=6
