The only thing missing is the signature of the Governor of the State of Maryland and his colleagues on the bill “Bill 926” concerning laboratory testing for LYME disease for it to be formally adopted by the US Senate.
This bill recognizes, among other things, that standard detection tests (ELISA) can be problematic and lead to erroneous results and that, when performed too early, it is possible that not enough antibodies are produced to be considered positive. The text adds that negative test results do not necessarily mean that the patient does not have Lyme disease and that, if unexplained symptoms persist, retesting or additional treatments should be considered.
If Bill 926 is also passed by the House of Representatives, it will be a major step forward in the United States for the detection and treatment of Lyme disease, both for patients and for the latitude offered to health care professionals who were rather limited in their recommended options.
To view the legislation, visit http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2016RS/bills/sb/sb0926t.pdf
Enjoy your reading!
Julie Beauregard
Executive Director
