On Thursday, January 31, 2002, Lyme patients from across the nation traveled to NYC to attend a NY State Assembly Committee hearing to investigate the disciplinary process of Physicians and Physician Assistants. The room was literally overflowing with people, many of whom were Lyme patients.

The hearing was called by the NY Assembly Committee on Health, Committee on Higher Education, and Committee on Codes. The Chairman also mentioned the involvement of the Insurance Committee. Assemblymembers on the podium included Chair Richard Gottfried, Chair Ed Sullivan, Assemblywoman Mayersohn and Assemblyman Miller.

Prior to this hearing was a November 27th hearing in Albany which focused exclusively on the scientific controversy surrounding Lyme disease. Evidence from that hearing led Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, to state "there is a substantial body of highly qualified medical support for the proposition that Lyme disease can persist as a chronic condition and that long-term antibiotic treatment can be appropriate."

This hearing focused on issues surrounding the operation of the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC), the license enforcement branch of the NYS Department of Health. Following brief testimony by the DOH, almost the next 3 hours were spent with the assemblymembers asking very pointed questions of the DOH, involving many questions regarding "Lyme doctors".

The early afternoon was spent with representatives of several groups who have gripes against the OPMC presenting. Of interest because Orens is a Lyme doctor, on a number of occasions the Orens principle, which involved a ruling where a physicians assistant cannot constitute a lay member of the hearing panel, was raised by non-Lyme groups.

Later in the afternoon Monica Miller and Pat Smith gave excellent testimony involving suggestions regarding OPMC reform. Monica focussed on various areas of OPMC reform, where as Pat focused more specifically on Lyme disease and a more narrow area of suggestions for reform, drawing on the DOH testimony and her experience with meetings with the DOH. These 2 testimonies complimented the other very well.

At this time is was about 5 pm and much of the room cleared out with many speakers to go! (see order of speaker list below) Word is that the testimonies of the trials lawyers were excellent and provided a unique perspective. Unfortunately, I missed this and the testimony of Lyme advocate Lia McCabe!

Many thanks to everyone who attended or assisted others in attending!!!

TESTIMONIES: