Safeguarding Choices

In Lyme Treatment

To the Editor:

Speaking as a resident of Newtown and on behalf of the members of the Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force, I express sincere gratitude to our newly elected State Representative Chris Lyddy. He is to be commended for an amazing job ensuring passage of HB 6200, which contains language protecting physicians’ rights to determine the most appropriate treatment protocol for their patients. Residents need the bill to safeguard their choice in health care treatment for Lyme disease.

The task force is grateful for the time that Representative Lyddy has taken to listen to his constituents and to gain a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding Lyme disease, which led to his sponsorship of a bill that addresses the difficulty many residents face obtaining treatment for all stages of Lyme disease.

We have many Newtown residents suffering from chronic Lyme, sadly many children and entire families…many must travel great distances and even out of state for treatment.

Representative Lyddy along with a great team of legislators, advocates and members of the Lyme community, were able to achieve success and unanimous passage by the General Assembly working together.

Considerable research needs to be done on Lyme to provide answers to outstanding questions about the disease and that can be addressed by the passage of the Federal research bill HR 1179, now in D.C; meanwhile Connecticut patients who are ill will be able to have their health care needs addressed.

This bill is a historical and monumental step forward for those suffering from chronic Lyme…thank you, Representative Lyddy!

Now we await governor’s signature on this historic bill.

Very Sincerely,

Maggie Shaw, RN

Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force

Eden Hill Road, Newtown                                                 June 9, 2009