Nation must address Lyme

Poughkeepsie Journal - Poughkeepsie,NY,USA
As Congress hashes out two competing Lyme disease bills, the best of both of them should be culled, excesses discarded and one specific proposal presented for passage.

U.S. Reps. Sue Kelly, R-Katonah, and Christopher Smith, R-N.J., have each introduced bills. Kelly's bill seeks $50 million, Smith's $100 million, each over five years. Rather than focus only on the finances, the details of a final bill need attention and then the necessary allocation can be determined.

The experiences in Dutchess County, which has some of the worst infection rates in the country, should be considered when the final bill is drafted. Dutchess has implemented a cutting-edge education program and has aggressively addressed this problem, which is new to other regions in the country.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium carried by black-legged ticks. The disease can cause joint pain, fever and fatigue, leading to more serious complications if not treated properly.

A primary focus of any federal bill must be on developing an effective diagnostic test for Lyme. Treatment is more effective the earlier it is administered, so an accurate test, and follow-up treatment, should reduce the cases of long-term Lyme disease. Both bills address this. In addition, some specifics in Smith's bill deserve attention and should be part of the bill that's ultimately passed.

Our nation needs an accurate count of how many people have this debilitating disease. Smith's proposal would evaluate mandatory reporting requirement by labs that test for Lyme. It would also add a tier to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's reporting structure. Currently, people must have a rash or positive lab results to be part of the nationwide count. Yet some people who have the disease but don't fit that specific criteria and therefore remain uncounted. Lyme affects people in a variety of ways and ailments can take years to manifest themselves. In mild cases, symptoms may reflect a common cold. In severe cases, muscular degeneration and even death can occur.

Only 10% of cases reported

The CDC estimates only 10 percent of cases are reported annually, meaning up to 240,000 people are affected each year, rather than 24,000. Obtaining an accurate portrayal of the disease is imperative. Understanding the extent of the illness will allow government to develop a more effective program to address it. Dutchess is well aware of the problem.

There are many different approaches to treating this disease and Smith's bill that requires a committee to oversee this nationwide effort include a broad spectrum of viewpoints, a criteria not included in other legislation.

It also includes $500,000 for a study of chronic Lyme disease and to make recommendations on treatment programs for this illness. Other states are not as advanced as New York. This year, the state's Office of Professional Medical Conduct announced it would not prosecute physicians who treat the disease with long-term antibiotics. Insurance carriers had attempted to intimidate doctors from pursuing this expensive treatment by lodging complaints against them. The action by the professional organization defies insurance company concerns, but protects patients and doctors. Other states should implement similar programs.

It's essential, as people discover the challenges and pain of both acute and chronic Lyme, that the government leaders work together to proactively address this issue for all Americans.