Lyme Disease Bill 032717
The Iowa legislature has voted to let Iowa doctors prescribe more aggressive treatment for Lyme Disease, but the state’s medical community is against the move. Siouxland Public Media’s Mary Hartnett has this report.
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The state Board of Medicine disciplined two doctors for prescribing antibiotics for more than 30 days as treatment for Lyme Disease. The Iowa Medical Society and other groups oppose the treatment bill, saying there’s no data showing antibiotics should be prescribed long-term as treatment, and no evidence Lyme Disease is a chronic condition.
Left untreated, Lyme Disease can cause inflammation of the brain and problems with short-term memory
In 2010, lawmakers in Minnesota passed a moratorium on disciplinary action against doctors who aggressively treat Lyme Disease. The Iowa legislature’s bill now goes to Governor Branstad.
For Siouxland Public Media, I’m Mary Hartnett.