Below is an email I received this October when I wrote to "then" Senator Obama. The bill that now President Obama mentions in his letter was resubmitted this February. Go to www.lymerights.org for more information.
Dear Lauren:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the "Briefing on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases" sponsored by the National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association held on September 24th.
Although I was not able to personally attend, I was sure to have two staffers from my health team attend and brief me on the meeting, which included a segment of the movie, "Under Our Skin." I understand and share in your concerns regarding the constant misdiagnosis of this serious disease. Tick-borne diseases affect a significant percentage of the population and it is important that the federal government reach out and support preventative efforts.
For that reason, I am proud to let you know that I am a cosponsor of the Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2007 (S. 1708/H.R. 741). This legislation would provide for the expansion of Federal efforts concerning the prevention, education, treatment, and research activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including the establishment of a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary would be required to coordinate all Federal programs and activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
S. 1708 is a step in the right direction. It has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, a panel on which I sit, and I will work to bring this important legislation to the Senate floor.
Again, Lauren, thank you for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
P.S. Our system does not allow direct response to this email. However, if you would like to contact me again, please use the form on the website: http://obama.senate.gov/contact/
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Also, see http://www.illinoislyme.com/Illinois_Proclamation_2009.pdf for the State of Illinois Proclamation acknowledging Lyme Disease and it's spreading across the State of Illinois. Thank you Linda and Dottie for your hard work!!