Akshar/Lupardo Bill Seeks to Help Families Dealing With Lyme Disease

A new, bi-partisan bill sponsored by Republican New York State Senator Fred Akshar and Democrat Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo looks to help families dealing with tick-borne illness to get better diagnoses and treatments.

Demos Ford Act is named for a 10-year-old boy dealing with the long-term effects of Lyme Disease.

Officials say faster, more accurate diagnosis of Lyme Disease greatly impacts the effectiveness of treatment.

Senator Akshar says while there are already bills in the legislature to make sure long-term treatments for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are covered by insurance, the new bill is aimed at getting families dealing with the illness to get the diagnosis and treatment they need quickly and with less confusion.

The requirements would make sure providers give patients listings of the symptoms and risk factors, the available methods for detection and diagnosis and the medical protocol as established by the Health Commissioner.

The full legislation can be found at www/nysenate.gov.