Maryland Lyme Disease Bill Set for Hearing
March 10, 2005

By: Lucy Barnes

Thanks to Senators Colburn, Dyson, Jacobs and Stolzfus, a Lyme Disease Bill (SB596) has been introduced that will assist newly diagnosed and chronically ill patients obtain proper medical care for tick borne infections.

The bill addresses some of the current problems facing many patients living in a highly endemic area, such as the eastern shore of Maryland, where over 80 percent of the ticks are infected with at least one strain of Lyme disease and multiple co-infections are being detected.

Limited treatment guidelines, poor insurance coverage, and the lack of physician availability should no longer be an issue that impedes the recovery process for the growing numbers of patients who need help if the bill passes.

The public is encouraged to attend a hearing in Annapolis, Maryland on March 10, 2005 at 1:00 PM. The hearing will be held in the James Senate Office Building. Driving directions and instructions for those attending are available at www.lymeinfo.net. To sign up for the bus leaving Harford County, please contact Jean at 410-838-LYME (5963). To sign up for the bus trip from the eastern shore, please contact Jackie at 410-896-9965.

Letters in support of the bill are highly encouraged and can be mailed to:

For more information about the hearing and letter writing, please see:
www.lymeinfo.net/marylandlymedisease.html