Lawmakers challenged with Lyme Disease

Hartford (WTNH) - Connecticut has long been known as ground zero for Lyme Disease. Now, state lawmakers are taking the controversy surrounding Lyme Disease treatment head on.

Over the years there has been a lot of debate over how patients are diagnosed and treated for Lyme Disease. A bill to protect doctors and help patients could ease that frustration driving many out of state for treatment.

Many are ticked off, banding together, to educate and raise awareness about the tick-borne disease.

When it comes to treatment, some patients go out of state.

Andrew Hancock and his mother drove from Brookfield, CT to New York for their first visit with Dr. Daniel Cameron who specializes in Lyme Disease.

"It's a bit of a hassle," said Andrew. "I wish it was different in Connecticut but it's not, so we're here."

"We haven't really seen anybody who specializes in Lyme, which is pretty ironic considering we live in Connecticut," said Laura Hancock, Andrew's mother.

Waiting patiently is Erin Morrissey and her mother from Glastonbury.

"She wasn't being diagnosed in Connecticut," said Erin's mother Betty. "I was very worried about her. She has been very sick."

"I'm doing better, it's a slow process," Erin said. "Week by week, I see improvement so it makes me happy but it's been frustrating."

Connecticut families like the Morrisseys and Hancocks make up about 10 percent of Dr. Cameron's practice. That's because in the state of New York, he is able to diagnose and treat without fear of retribution.

"As a doctor, I can't rely on just the test. I can't rely just on the rash. I need to look at the whole symptom pattern," Dr. Cameron said. "I need to be able to take my patients, diagnose them and treat them based on what I learned in medical school."

The medical community is at odds as to whether chronic Lyme Disease exists and over long term treatment, which includes intravenous antibiotics.

In Connecticut, supporters say doctors who choose the latter, are haunted by past threats of losing their license.

"That perception has really turned into a tangible reality," said Rep. Kim Fawcett. "[A perception] that a lot of doctors out there maybe just think, Lyme Disease, I don't want to get involved in it. So what they do is deflect to their patients, 'I can't really treat you here, you have to find a specialist.'"

That's why State Representatives Kim Fawcett and Jason Bartlett are leading the change behind a bill to protect Connecticut physicians.

"Our legislation doesn't say what they do. It just gives them the freedom to diagnose clinically and treat how they see fit," said Rep. Fawcett.

But the Department of Public Health disagrees and sent testimony against house bill 6200.

"We oppose any bill that would prescribe or limit any particular kinds of treatment," said Dr. Robert Galvin, CT Public Health Commissioner.

However, activists say the department is behind much of the scrutiny doctors are feeling.

"The department does not hunt down physicians and try to impose regulations on them. We do respond to complaints which may reach us from hospitals, from families and from other physicians and when that happens we investigate the complaints," said Dr. Galvin.

To encourage doctors, the Connecticut State Medical Society is in support of the bill.

"There is a perception in the community that there are physicians who are reluctant to treat patients particularly in Lyme Disease because of some fear that there might be retribution because of that treatment," said Dr. William Handleman, President of CT State Medical Society.

The bill would help families like the Hancocks stay closer to home, getting relief from a debilitating disease.

The joint committee on public health voted unanimously in support of the bill. Now supporters will push for a vote before the House and Senate during this session. A similar bill was passed in Rhode Island.
 

Visit Lyme Rights or Lyme Disease Association for more information.