AUGUSTA, Maine — People from across the state showed up to testify in support of legislation that would allow doctors to prescribe long-term use of antibiotics to treat Lyme disease, without fear of action by the medical licensing board.
Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. That was agreed by those testifying before the Legislature's Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development committee on a bill that would shield doctors from disciplinary action for using antibiotics over a long period of time to treat the disease.
There have been mixed reviews on the effectiveness of such treatment. Republican Rep. Deborah Sanderson of Chelsea sponsored the bill, saying other New England states have adopted similar legislation because many doctors fear action by the medical licensing board.
"There is still hesitancy for them to engage in a long-term regimen of antibiotic therapy for fear of potential disciplinary action by the board of licensure," she says.
In sometimes emotional testimony, several Mainers with Lyme disease told the panel they have gone to other states to get the long-term drug therapy because it has worked to ease their symptoms. But the legislation drew opposition from Maine Health, parent company of several hospitals in southern Maine and from the state Board of Licensure in Medicine. Executive Director Dennis Smith says the bill, as written, would prevent the board from doing its job.
"The board is very concerned that this legislation would, in essence, eliminate the board's ability to investigate and discipline any physician who may treat Lyme disease, even though that treatment might be well outside the standard of care, incompetent, and-or jeopardize the health of Maine residents."
Committee members asked Smith whether he had reviewed an amendment offered by Sanderson to address some of the board's concerns about what constitutes acceptable treatment, but he declined comment until the board can review the amendment. Independent Rep. James Campbell of Newfield, a member of the committee, challenged those who opposed the bill.
"A lot of people have suffered over the last seven, eight or nine years so I believe it is really time now that you people get together with the other states and find out what they are doing right and what we are doing wrong," he says.
Other panel members agreed and told Smith and other opponents to review the amendment and come back with suggestions.
