WOODHULL… A downstate Republican Representative says efforts he led to pass legislation for Illinoisans suffering from Lyme Disease are already having a positive effect on patients.
“Getting the word out about Lyme Disease, and its sometimes-complicated diagnosis and treatment, has been critical to this effort,” said State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha).
Swanson passed legislation last year named the “Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention & Protection Law” —named after a Mercer County Jr. High School student. Swanson, Lauryn Russell and Lauryn’s mother, Jennifer, have been through an emotional rollercoaster over the past year in getting the bill through the legislative process, being served an Amendatory Veto by Governor Bruce Rauner which gutted key elements of the legislation, and then successfully leading a unanimous veto override in both chambers to enact the original legislation into law.
“It hasn’t been an easy process, but this legislation is so important to Lyme patients. The ability to receive treatment when you have previously been insufficiently treated, is life changing,” Rep. Swanson continued.
In addition to educational components of the legislation, it also allows physicians to prescribe more aggressive treatment for Lyme Disease without the fear of disciplinary action by the State’s Physician licensing bureau. Lauryn, along with many other patients, had to seek treatment out of state due to potential disciplinary action that could be taken against her Illinois physician if they had attempted to treat her long-term 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 acute or long-term levels of the disease.
“Already, we have heard of Illinois patients and physicians agreeing to a more aggressive Lyme Disease treatment plan for this tick-borne disease,” Swanson continued. “More than 200 cases of Lyme Disease were reported in Illinois last year. We also know this is a highly underreported disease and there are many more cases out there. Awareness and education are key— if physicians know they can treat their patient fully, we believe we will see far better quality of life for these patients who suffer from this tick-borne illness,” Rep. Swanson urged.
As for Lauryn and her mother, Jennifer, they continue their advocacy through the organization they formed following Lauryn’s diagnosis, “Spotlight on Lyme QCA”, which can be found online at spotlightonlymeqca.com.
