Gaining Momentum

It is a sad fact that there is a great divide among physicians regarding the treatment of Lyme disease. It is an even greater travesty that this divide has resulted in the need for governments to enact legislation to protect physicians who treat Lyme disease outside the controversial guidelines established by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

The move to protect physicians who treat Lyme disease with long-term antibiotics from investigation, harassment, and withdrawal of medical license is gaining momentum, with numerous US states now having legislation in place, including:

In addition, a number of other states are in the process of developing these same laws, including New York (currently only has a verbal agreement with the office of professional conduct that no harassment will occur), New Hampshire, Maine, Florida, and Virginia.

Most recently, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is considering a non-statutory policy change that will prevent disciplinary action against physicians who prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antibiotics for chronic Lyme. If a policy can't be worked out by the Medical Board, it is expected that the House bill that precipitated this initiative will be resurrected and sent forward with a view to bringing this protection into law.