R 431

2015 -- S 1030 Enacted 06/25/2015

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO REPORT ON LYME DISEASE

Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Sosnowski, Miller, Ottiano, and Algiere

Date Introduced: June 25, 2015

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that is spread by tick bites. According to

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the most commonly reported illness resulting

from an insect bite in the United States. In 2013, it was the fifth most common Nationally

Notifiable disease. However, this disease does not occur nationwide and is concentrated heavily

in the Northeast and upper Midwest; and

WHEREAS, The threat of Lyme disease is serious and growing and has become an

important public health problem; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is a major concern among Rhode Islanders, who are six to

eight times more likely to contract the disease compared to the national average. Due to the lack

of predators, there is an overpopulation of deer in Rhode Island, which are host species for ticks;

and

WHEREAS, Children between the ages of five to nine are the most likely to get Lyme

disease in Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Disease Control has recently estimated that for every known

case of Lyme disease, there are about nine unreported cases; and

WHEREAS, The chronic health conditions diagnosed as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue

and autoimmune diseases share many similar symptoms with Lyme disease. The correct

diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is essential to help a patient recover without a lifetime of

medications and suffering; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Health is charged with the prevention and control of

disease that is harmful to the public health and with providing advice to the General Assembly on

matters related to public health; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that the Rhode Island Department of Health report to the Senate

President and the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Environment and Agriculture, Health and

Human Services, and Government Oversight by January 31, 2016, on the following: (1) An

overview of the current levels of Lyme disease in Rhode Island; (2) The response of the medical

community in treating the disease; (3) An analysis of best practices in the treatment of the

disease; (4) Identifying any gaps in coverage or insurance protocols that affect access to

comprehensive and adequate treatment; and (5) The department’s current and long-term goals and

strategies to address the high incidence of the disease in the state; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Gina Raimondo, Governor of the

State of Rhode Island, and the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Nicole

Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH.

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LC002985

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