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CALL TO ACTION 2008 #4 (June 13, 2008)
from Pat Smith, President, Lyme Disease Association, Inc. (LDA)

Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Prevention Education & Research Act
of 2007 S-1708 / HR-741

History:
As you know, the Lyme bills are being held hostage by IDSA & congress. The IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America) does not want your voice heard and has made that clear to Congress. We must make patient voices heard. You need to be counted. We are hearing that many congressmen and senators have heard about this Lyme/IDSA issue but they have still not acted. Only you can reverse that situation. There may still be a chance for the July agenda. Don't let IDSA control your health!

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED:
Who: All Individuals, organizations, doctors
When: June 13th - 27th 2008
What: Contact the following Congressmen and Senators (6 total)
How: Please call them. Second choice fax if there is a listed fax number
Why: The House Health Subcommittee (part of Energy & Commerce Committee) and Senate HELP Committee are where the Lyme disease bills are, and if the Committee chairs do not release the bills for a vote, the bills will die.

1. Call Your Personal Congressman
Find your own US Representative: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Sample Phone Blurb:

I'm calling to ask Congressman (NAME) to contact Frank Pallone, House Health Subcommittee Chair. Tell him to schedule a hearing on HR 741, the Lyme bill. Currently, the Committee is not scheduling the bill but is bowing to a powerful medical society (IDSA) that has been investigated by the Attorney General of Connecticut and found to have substantial conflicts of interest regarding Lyme disease treatment guidelines.

The Lyme bill does not focus on treatment, but research monies to find a gold standard test for Lyme, and it establishes a federal advisory committee based on a common model for federal committees, which includes patient representation. IDSA does not want patients to have a voice in their own disease. I need your help today. Call Mr. Pallone and tell him you represent me and expect me to have a voice in Lyme disease issues and to post the bill. (leave your name, address, contact)

2. Call Congressman Dingell (MI), Chair of Energy & Commerce (P) 202-225-4071 / (F) 202-226-0371

Sample Phone Blurb:

I'm calling to ask Congressman Dingell to contact Frank Pallone, House Health Subcommittee Chair. Tell him to schedule a hearing on HR 741, the Lyme bill. Currently, the Committee is not scheduling the bill but is bowing to a powerful medical society (IDSA) that has been investigated by the Attorney General of Connecticut and found to have substantial conflicts of interest regarding Lyme disease treatment guidelines.

The Lyme bill does not focus on treatment, but research monies to find a gold standard test for Lyme, and it establishes a federal advisory committee based on a common model for federal committees, which includes patient representation. IDSA does not want patients to have a voice in their own disease. I need your help today. Call Mr. Pallone and tell him to post the bill and give patients the voice they deserve to have. (leave your name, address, contact info)

3. Call Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ) Health Subcommittee Chair (P) 202-225-4671 (F) 202-225-9665

Sample Phone Blurb:

I'm calling to ask Congressman Pallone to schedule the Lyme bill for a hearing today! He has made a grave mistake in siding with the IDSA which has been investigated and discredited. The IDSA Guidelines' settlement is a treatment issue unrelated to the bill which asks for research money to find a gold standard test and for a patient voice on a federal advisory committee which is a common model for federal advisory committees. Mr. Pallone's job is to help patients not support an investigated, discredited medical society. (leave your name, address, contact info)

4. Call Your Personal US Senators (2) today
Find your own 2 senators: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Sample Phone Blurb:

I'm calling to ask Senator (NAME) to contact US Senator Edward Kennedy, Senate HELP Committee Chair. Tell him to schedule a hearing on S-1708, the Lyme bill. Currently, the Committee is not scheduling the bill but is bowing to a powerful medical society (IDSA) that has been investigated by the Attorney General of Connecticut and found to have substantial conflicts of interest regarding Lyme disease treatment guidelines.

The Lyme bill does not focus on treatment, but research monies to find a gold standard test for Lyme, and it establishes a federal advisory committee based on a common model for federal committees, which includes patient representation. IDSA does not want patients to have a voice in their own disease. I need your help today. Call Senator Kennedy and tell him you represent me and expect me to have a voice in Lyme disease issues. (leave your name, address, contact)

5. Call US Senator Edward Kennedy (MA) Senate HELP Committee Chair (202) 224 4543 (P) (202) 224-2417 (F)

Sample Phone Blurb:

I'm calling to ask Senator Kennedy to schedule the Lyme bill for a hearing today! By not holding a hearing, he is ignoring the plight of patients and listening to the IDSA, which has been investigated and discredited. The IDSA Guidelines' settlement is a treatment issue unrelated to the bill which asks for research money to find a gold standard test and for a patient voice on a federal advisory committee which is a common model for federal advisory committees. Senator Kennedy's job is to help patients not support an investigated, discredited medical society. (leave your name, address, contact info)

If you need inspiration, look at the photo at:
http://www.rally11-30-06.lymerights.org/html/lynn_mccabe_11-30-06_protest_21.html

Pat Smith
President
Lyme Disease Association, Inc.
PO Box 1438
Jackson, NJ 08527
888-366-6611 information line
732 938-7215 fax
www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org