R 296

2016 -- S 3068 Enacted 06/14/2016

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2016, TO BE "LYME AND OTHER TICK BORNE DISEASES MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Stephen R. Archambault

Date Introduced: June 09, 2016

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island was recently reported to have the second highest

rate of infection in the nation by the Lyme disease spirochetes, with suspected case numbers

exceeding 8,000 a year for a single genotype; and

WHEREAS, All Rhode Islanders are afforded treatment for tick borne diseases pursuant

to Chapter 37.5 of Title 5 and Chapters 18 through 20 of Title 27 of the Rhode Island General

Laws which ensures treatment freedom for medical providers and guarantee payments by

insurance companies for prescribed diagnostics and treatments for patients; and

WHEREAS, Guidelines for the treatment of tick borne diseases, including Lyme, are

certified and listed by the National Guidelines Clearing House, a division of the United States

Department of Health and Human Services. Recent changes include the decertification and

delisting of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines as antiquated and

failing to meet accepted guidelines standards, and the listing and inclusion of the International

Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Guidelines; and

WHEREAS, The singular use of the antibiotic, doxycycline, is known to drive Borrelia

Spirochetes, including Lyme, into cystic forms resulting in chronic illness for as many as 20 to 30

percent of the infected population, guaranteeing difficult and prolonged treatments that may last a

lifetime; and

WHEREAS, All the citizens of Rhode Island have the inalienable right to dignified,

courteous and respectful medical services, however, oftentimes, what should be a cooperative and

scholarly quest for the best treatment of tick borne diseases, including Lyme, has become a

polarized divide within the medical field resulting in abandonment, bullying and other dismissive

behaviors towards patients seeking help, even though numerous laws and regulations including

the Federal Civil Rights Act, and numerous state laws, statutes and codes of ethical behavior,

including those of the American Medical Society and the Rhode Island Department of Health

strictly prohibit such practices; and

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island now has three tick borne diseases that are

endemic, babesia, bartonella and borrelia. Due diligence by doctors and patients alike, with

proper differential diagnoses, is required for recognition and treatment for the health of all Rhode

Islanders. In addition, all state agencies and departments concerned with public health also need

to be aware of these three endemic tick borne diseases; and

WHEREAS, Education concerning the awareness, detection and prevention of the tick

borne diseases, including Lyme is a priority; now, therefore be it

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

hereby proclaims the month of May, 2016, to be "Lyme and Other Tick Borne Diseases Month"

in the state. We moreover encourage all state residents to join in recognizing the importance of

this month; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director of

the Rhode Island Department of Health.

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LC003848

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