A Lyme Disease bill has been introduced in Springfield. It's authored by State Representative Dan Swanson of Alpha and named in honor of a 12 year old girl.
The bill allows physicians to prescribe more aggressive treatment for Lyme Disease without the fear of disciplinary action.
Swanson says the girl has had to seek care out of state due to potential disciplinary action that could be taken against her Illinois physician for treating her post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or Chronic Lyme Disease.
Advocates for Lyme Disease sufferers say the current recommended treatment of the disease, 10 to 21 days of antibiotics, is insufficient for people with advanced or chronic levels of the disease.
Nine states have enacted similar legislation including: Iowa, California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Virginia.
Swanson’s bill has won approval in the Illinois House and now moves on to the Illinois Senate.
