By: Shimmy Blum. A groundbreaking meeting was held on Monday afternoon in Trenton between the Life for Lyme organization, a division of the Orthodox Jewish
Chamber of Commerce (www.OjChamber.com),
The Life for Lyme delegation was led by Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, who delivered an extensive PowerPoint presentation to Commissioner Shereef M. Elnaha
Duvi stressed to the health officials the severe human toll that the diseases and related hardships take on patients and their families. Insurance companies often do not cover necessary treatments, leaving patients with as much as $100,000 a year or more in out-of-pocket medical expenditures. One frum family suffering from Lyme Disease is seriously contemplating sending their children to public school, since the strain of medical expenses left them unable to pay tuition. The State suffers financially as well from long term disability, medical costs and economic nonproductivity resulting from mistreatment of Lyme Disease and related diseases.
Life for Lyme explained why, compared to most other diseases, the diagnosis of Lyme Disease and related diseases is extremely complex. As these bacteria attack various bodily organs, there are many potential physical – and even emotional – Lyme symptoms that seem unrelated to the disease. Additionally, conventional tests often produce inaccurate results. Treatment regimens, especially when the disease is caught late, are oftenvery difficult and lengthy. Many physicians, including specialists, are not adequately aware of the relevant diagnosis, symptom and treatment options – leading to many misdiagnoses.
Item one on the agenda to remedy the heartbreaking circumstances for patients and their families is legislation that would mandate insurers to cover necessary physician visits, tests and treatment of Lyme Disease and related diseases. This legislation was introduced in the State Assembly as bill A678, but it currently remains stuck in the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. This is unfortunate, as New Jersey remains the only one among the top thirteen Lyme states that does not have such protections enshrined in law. Life for Lyme activists are aggressively lobbying that the bill should be brought to the Assembly floor for a vote, as well as that similar legislation should be introduced on the floor of the State Senate.
They have launched a campaign urging the public to make their voices heard by the legislators key to the bill’s passage. The public is urged to contact Assemblyman John McKeon at 973-377-1606 or [email protected], and Senator Joe Vitale at 732-855-7441, and implore swift implementation of this legislation.
In addition to legislative end, the health officials vowed to work with Life for Lyme on an array of projects, including educating medical professionals and the general public about Lyme Disease and related diseases, as well as working on various forms of prevention.
Excited about the historic progress on the horizon, Duvi expresses admiration of all the parties involved. “Governor Murphy and the leadership of the New Jersey Health Department have their finger on the pulse of residents’ concerns and are genuinely determined to make a difference,” he says. “Last but not least, the dedication and professionalism of Life for Lyme’s leaders, volunteers and partners have been indispensable in these efforts. I am confident that with continued cooperation, New Jersey is about to turn to a new page.”
For more information about Life for Lyme and its activities, please visit www.lifeforlyme.org.
Wow I applaud you for taking this initiative. A relative with lyme said the worst part about the machlah is that no one knows enough about it and there is little support and community awareness. She carries the burden on her own and no yid should be lonely in a time of need. Thank you for easing this for her and many others. This is lots of uninformed people, even physicians in New Jersey, hopefully this will start a movement.
Duvy,keep up the good work. This is a real mais mitzvah. I know someone who had lyme and the doctors insisted it was ALS. They did not treat him and he passed away.
great work , in my experiences it seems western medicine doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to Lyme, alternative methods have helped many people with a total cure, so all those suffering to stop searching for the right shliach
KEEP searching for right shliach, with siata dishmaya
I hope they do something about it.
Even the extensive testing isnt covered by insurance.
(It often doesnt show up in basic blood tests) and although I have had many lyme symptoms I dont get tested because I cant afford the $200 test to see if Lyme or a related infection.
Or the treatments either for that matter.
So I just suffer in silence.