ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session

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HB 2254: Lyme; vector-borne diseases; treatment.

Sponsor:  Representative Blackman, LD 6

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Allows licensed health professionals to use long-term antimicrobial therapy to treat patients who have Lyme or a vector-borne disease or symptoms consistent with Lyme disease.

History

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that if identified early, Lyme disease can be treated using appropriate antimicrobial drugs for up to four weeks.

Provisions

1. Allows a licensed health professional to prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antimicrobial therapy to eliminate infection or control a patient's symptoms after making a diagnosis that the patient has Lyme or a vector-borne disease or symptoms consistent with Lyme or a vector-borne disease. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires a licensed health professional to document a patient's diagnosis and treatment. (Sec. 1)

3. Specifies that a diagnosis may be based on medical history and physical examination only or in conjunction with testing that supports the diagnosis. (Sec. 1)

4. Prohibits a health profession regulatory board from disciplining a health professional for prescribing, administering or dispensing long-term antibiotic therapy to a patient who has Lyme or a vector-borne disease if the health professional has documented the patient's diagnosis and treatment. (Sec. 1)

5. Defines licensed prescribing health professional, long-term antimicrobial therapy and Lyme or a vector-borne disease. (Sec. 1)

6. Cites this act as the Ryan Montgomery Lyme Disease Treatment Act. (Sec. 2)

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10. Initials IG/ML                    Health & Human Services

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