WPCNR ADAM IN ALBANY. By State Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. 89th District. September 17, 2005: In 1999, Laura M. was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, a tick-borne sickness that resulted in fatigue, joint pain and other symptoms that left her physically exhausted and bed ridden, sometimes for weeks at a time. She went to see a doctor who prescribed a short term course of treatment with antibiotics; nevertheless, after several weeks of treatment her condition failed to improve. Her doctor determined that there was no reason that she should still feel ill and came to the conclusion that she must be suffering from something other than Lyme.
Several doctors and multiple tests later, Laura heard about a doctor in Great Neck who specialized in the treatment of Lyme Disease. He diagnosed her as having the disease and prescribed a long term regimen of antibiotics beyond that usually recommended in the prevailing medical literature. After a few weeks of treatment, her condition improved dramatically and she was able to begin living a normal life again.
Laura credits the doctor with “saving my life” and other doctors like him who offered what was then considered unconventional long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme which has since proven to be successful. Complaints were made to the Office of Professional Medical Conduct by insurance companies concerned about rising costs. As a result, several Lyme doctors faced charges and serious forms of discipline.
Lyme sufferers brought their concerns to me and Nettie Mayersohn and Joel Miller and together we began to look into the situation.
We contacted the office of Governor George Pataki to discuss the issue. Over the course of the next few years, representatives of the Governor, OPMC and I met on numerous occasions to best determine how to protect these Lyme doctors while at the same time not hindering the ability of OPMC to prosecute and discipline truly bad practitioners.
Despite many initial differences, we worked out an agreement regarding OPMC policy for alternative treatment of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses. On June 15th of this year, OPMC Director Dennis Graziano issued a memorandum stating that “it is contrary to the policy and practice of the Office of Professional Medical Conduct to identify, investigate, or charge a physician, physician’s assistant or specialist assistant based solely on that practitioner’s recommendation or provision of such treatment modality.” At the same time, the policy insures that those doctors who may actually injure or harm a patient will still be subject to strict disciplinary action.
The memorandum specifically refers to “the varying modalities used in the treatment of
Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases.”
The resolution was hailed by advocates for Lyme Disease patients around the state. Two groups, The Lyme Disease Association and Voices of Lyme/NY specifically thanked Assemblyman Bradley for his leadership. According to Lyme specialist Dr. Joseph Burascano, “This memorandum means that the pressure is now off Lyme treating physicians in New York, and it is certainly a reward for all the hard work and efforts of the Lyme community.”
I am glad the Governor realized that there was a problem and while we may have had some differences along the way, we were able to work closely with the Lyme community to find a solution. I will however, remain vigilant in order to make sure that Lyme Disease patients can always obtain the treatment they need.
Adam Bradley
