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Published On: Tue, Jun 25th, 2013

Maine Gov. Paul LePage signs Lyme disease bill

In a follow up to a story 10 days ago, the legislation, LD597, which passed the Maine legislature, was signed into law by Maine Governor Paul LePage today.

The bill requires the Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to include on its publicly accessible website information about different alternatives for the treatment of Lyme disease. The bill also requires the center to include information about treatment guidelines recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, which represents physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases.

In addition,  the website must say that a negative result for a Lyme disease test doesn’t necessarily mean Lyme disease isn’t present.

LD597 also mandates that patients get a copy of the results of a Lyme disease test.

It is an exciting day for Lyme disease advocates in Maine. On the Facebook page of the advocacy group, MaineLyme.org, they posted the following:

Thanks to Rep. Sheryl Briggs and Rep Deb Sanderson , and all the bill initiators and participants.

YOU did it! Governor Lepage signed LD 597 this afternoon. Now doctors will have to give patients a copy of their own Lyme lab tests that state a negative test does not mean you don’t have Lyme disease and the Maine CDC must put up additional websites that tell patients about treatment options, like ILADS, and other than the usual IDSA rhetoric. The Governor showed great interest, asked questions for about 30 mins., and encouraged us to do more. He also gave Sally (12yo) the special pen he signed with, and the original document!! Thanks to all who wrote, called, came to Augusta, provided testimony, etc.
Governor Paul LePage signs LD597 into law today Image/Maine.org Facebook

Governor Paul LePage signs LD597 into law today
Image/Maine.org Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About the Author

- Writer, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch. Robert has been covering news in the areas of health, world news and politics for a variety of online news sources. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the website, Outbreak News Today and hosts the podcast, Outbreak News Interviews on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify Robert is politically Independent and a born again Christian Follow @bactiman63

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