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October 27, 2014                     
                          
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In This Newsletter
Gov. Cuomo Sign Bill
Take Action Now
LDA Letter to Cuomo
Video NY Legislators
Homeland Security
 


 
































































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Helpful Links

Gov. Cuomo: Sign Lyme Bill Today!

NYS Governor Cuomo
The Lyme Disease Association, Inc., LDA, is pleased to announce that New York State Lyme S7854 / A7558 unanimously passed both houses in June and NEEDS Governor Andrew Cuomo's signature to become law.

This bill is crucial to the welfare of ALL Lyme patients, since some of the most well known Lyme literate medical doctors are in NYS. They have been continually under investigation by the state medical disciplinary board which could lead to revocation of their licenses.  As you know, there are 2 "standards of care" and multiple published guidelines. This bill protects all NY patients' rights to choose scientifically based, cutting-edge treatments by protecting doctors from unfounded harassment. Bill S7854 "prohibits the investigation of any claim of medical professional misconduct based solely on treatment that is not universally accepted by the medical profession."  

 

NY Voices of Lyme Effort

NY State Residents Act Now

10 DAYS - 10,000 EMAILS 

 

1) Go to www.Cuomo123.com - (one email per person)

 

2) Required to be Counted: Write few sentences in the Opening Comments"

3)  Fill in your contact info and send

 

Suggestions for "Opening Comments" - own words if possible
 

"Where multiple standards of care exist for an illness, the NY medical board must not take sides or use its power to harass doctors or direct the course of treatment."  

"Challenging diseases require innovative treatments. Doctors and patients must be free to choose from all available treatment

approaches without fear of retribution."  

 

"Doctors should never be harassed by medical boards based on differences in medical opinion."
 

"Mainstream Lyme treatment (2 to 4 weeks of antibiotics) failed to help [me/family member/friend]. [Give a short description of what they have gone through.]"
 

"Because of the intimidating atmosphere for Lyme practitioners in NY State, I'm having trouble getting the treatment that helps me, even though there are medical guidelines and published studies supporting it. [Tell a little of your story] " 

 

Non New Yorkers: Forward this Email, Post Info to Social Media A/C's Hand Flyers out to NY friends, family and neighbors!

 

Click for Printable Flyer 

 

Sample email to send to family & friends

 

Bill text & justification

 

Follow campaign on facebook

 

FAQ & Other Materials 

 

 

Excerpts of LDA Letter to Governor Cuomo

...Doctors' ability to treat should not be subject to the changing political climate which readily allows a policy memo to be followed or not, since policy does not have the full force of law behind it.  The time is here to end the uncertainty for doctors and patients. Lyme is not going away. More people now need doctors to diagnose and treat them.  Although estimates vary, literature shows 10-20% and more of patients fail an early course of treatment. Yet NYS has again initiated investigations of the group of doctors who treat chronic Lyme disease, leaving thousands of families struggling to get help, many out of work or out of school. Signing this bill will be the first step to helping patients prevent chronic Lyme and helping those with it to be productive members of society. ..



NYS Legislators Call on Cuomo to Sign Bill

NYS Assemblymember Didi Barrett and US Senator Charles Schumer call on Governor Cuomo to Sign Lyme and Patient Choice bill. Barrett's bill garnered unanimous support in both the Assembly and Senate. "The outpouring of support for this bill speaks to the urgency of the situation," stated Didi Barrett. "We are counting on Governor Cuomo to do the right thing and hear the voices of the people."


Assemblymember Barrett Asks Cuomo to Sign Lyme Bill
Assemblymember Barrett Calls on Cuomo to Sign Lyme Bill


LDA Presents Lyme to Homeland Security

On Wednesday October 8, 2014, the Lyme Disease Association (LDA) presented a Powerpoint to the Department of Homeland Security employees in Roseland, New York. There were about 75 attendees. The presentation consisted of a brief review of the work of the LDA, especially its research funding program, and an overview of Lyme disease and also of other tick-borne diseases including epidemiology, diagnosis, symptoms, and prevention.

From left to right:  Ashley Caudill-Mirillo - Deputy Director, Homeland Security;  Sharon Johnson - Management & Program Assistant, Homeland Security; Patricia Smith - LDA President; Richard Smith - LDA Board Member; Patricia Menges - Director, Homeland Security; Sam Lee - CFC Loan Executive; Patricia Farrell - Field Service Account Consultant for Blue Cross & Blue Shield; John Elliot - Chief of Staff, Homeland Security
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ABOUT THE LDA: An all-volunteer national nonprofit 501(c)3, dedicated to Lyme disease education, prevention, research, and patient support. LDA has been accepted into the Combined Federal Campaign 2014 as an approved national charity for Federal Workplace Giving. It's a Guidestar.org exchange gold level member, recognized for transparency and is an Environmental Protection Agency PESP Partner. LDA offers its LymeAid-4-Kids assistance program and has funded over 95 research grants─ funded research has been published in 35 scientific journals.  LDA has provided 15 annual Continuing Medical Education Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases conferences for physicians and researchers.