Doctors need help in Lyme fight

Commentary: The Poughkeepsie Journal Editorial Board has taken a strong stand in the fight against Lyme disease. This editorial discusses why they support doctors and patients rights to choose their treatment options for Lyme and associated tick-borne diseases: “Outdated and disputed diagnostic and treatment guidelines prevent many of those afflicted from receiving evidenced-based treatment options that could mean the difference between a healthy life and one of chronic pain and progressive disability….Since the majority of Lyme disease reports come from about a dozen states and New York is one of them, states not only have a right but an obligation to take their own actions if and when necessary. And here it is necessary…Legislation in Albany at least would protect doctors who believe long-term therapy is the way to go. This legislation, sponsored by state Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson, has passed the Assembly…What Barrett, Gipson and others are proposing shouldn’t be considered radical, but responsible”.

Doctors need help in Lyme fight, Poughkeepsie Journal