§ 5-37.5-2 - Preamble. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 5-37.5-2

   § 5-37.5-2  Preamble. – WHEREAS, The Governor's Commission on Lyme Disease and Other Tick-BorneDiseases (the "Commission") was formed by executive order in 2002; and

   WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes the negative impactof Lyme disease on Rhode Islanders; and

   WHEREAS, Rhode Island has the second highest number ofreported Lyme disease cases as a percentage of population in the United States;and

   WHEREAS, The Commission and the General Assembly heldhearings and reviewed the medical literature to gain an understanding of theconcerns of citizens and the medical community about Lyme disease diagnosis,treatment and prevention; and

   WHEREAS, Citizens of Rhode Island diagnosed with chronic lymedisease experience great difficulty in being diagnosed and treated therebyimpairing their access to medical care; and

   WHEREAS, The lack of insurance coverage for diagnosis andlong-term antibiotic therapies is a major barrier to access to medical care forpersons with symptoms compatible with chronic Lyme disease; and

   WHEREAS, Physicians whose practices are devoted to treatingchronic Lyme disease patients, and who continue to provide treatment if theyfeel such treatment is medically necessary, have noted significant improvementin the condition of their patients; and

   WHEREAS, There is substantial evidence that considerablescientific controversy surrounds the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme diseaseand other tick-borne illnesses; and

   WHEREAS, Laboratory tests for Lyme disease are not definitiveand consensus guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic Lyme diseasehave not been developed; and

   WHEREAS, Some physicians feel threatened by insurers andlicensing boards for their choices among possible therapies for their patients;and

   WHEREAS, The Commission and this General Assembly recommendthat legislation be adopted that promotes access to medical care for personswith chronic Lyme disease in Rhode Island; and

   Now, therefore, it is enacted by the General Assembly asfollows: