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State Representative John Persell
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5516
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
REP. PERSELL JOINS FIGHT AGAINST MINNESOTA’S HIDDEN EPIDEMIC
ST. PAUL, MN - In 2007 the incidence of Lyme disease in Minnesota shot up more than 37 percent in just one year. Figures for 2008 set to be released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) this month are expected to show similar dramatic growth in the number of Lyme disease cases statewide.
Rep. John Persell (DFL - Bemidji) is joining a coalition of fellow lawmakers to combat Lyme disease in Minnesota with further efforts for prevention and a bill allowing physicians to more aggressively treat Lyme disease patients.
“Right now Minnesota doctors who prescribe long-term treatment for diagnosed, chronic Lyme disease patients risk being penalized with medical board sanctions," said Rep. Persell. “But these treatments work, helping Lyme disease patients recover and reclaim a normal life. We shouldn’t be putting up road blocks for doctors to treat their patients, particularly when the symptoms of Lyme disease are so serious.”
Only three states have legislation protecting physicians who treat Lyme disease from medical board sanctions - Minnesota is not one of them. For that reason, many Minnesotans with Lyme disease are forced to travel to other states to receive the treatment they need to recover and lead a normal life.
That will change if a bill co-authored by Rep. Persell becomes law. The bill, SF1631, would provide Minnesota physicians protection from medical board sanctions if they prescribe long-term treatment for diagnosed, chronic Lyme disease patients.
“Minnesota doctors are doing a good job treating Lyme disease patients - that’s not what this is about,” said Persell. “But in the most serious cases, state law ties the hands of doctors who need to do more for chronically ill Lyme disease patients. It’s time to peel back the restrictions to ensure all Minnesotans who suffer from Lyme disease have access to the treatment they need to recover.”
Rep. Persell and the Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group (MLASG) strongly encourage Minnesotans to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their children from exposure to tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. MLASG encourages Minnesotans to take the following precautionary measures:
• Avoid tick-infested areas - nymphal ticks live in leaf litter under oak trees. Sitting on logs or carrying firewood may increase your risk
• Use tick spray containing permethrin on your clothing and DEET on your skin
• Control ticks in your yard
• Check yourself for ticks often and for several days after you have been in a tick-infested area - the longer ticks are attached, the greater the risk of acquiring Lyme disease
For more information about tick-borne diseases and the incidence of Lyme disease in Minnesota visit www.lymedisease.org or www.mlasg.com.
News Items
- Rep. Persell: We Must Come Together to Help Citizens, Businesses Affected by Disaster - (Posted: 2012-08-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Persell: Today’s Hearing an Important First Step - (Posted: 2012-08-07 00:00:00)
- Rep. Persell: Omnibus Tax Bill Exemplifies Irresponsible Budgeting - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
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