[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 97 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7076-S7077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DODD (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Reed, Mr. Lieberman, 
        Mr. Cardin, and Mr. Whitehouse):
  S. 1352. A bill to provide for the expansion of Federal efforts 
concerning the prevention, education, treatment, and research 
activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including the 
establishment of a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to join my fellow New 
Englander, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, in introducing the Lyme and 
Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2009.
  As families in New England look forward to outdoor fun this summer--
and as families around the country look forward to vacationing in New 
England--they might not be thinking about the risks and dangers 
associated with hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
  But every year, tens of thousands of Americans working or playing 
outdoors are bitten by ticks.
  For most, a tick bite is nothing more than a minor annoyance. But 
approximately 20,000 Americans contract Lyme disease each year, and the 
numbers are rising. And because Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose, 
many experts believe the true number of cases each year could be as 
much as 10 or 12 times the reported number. Worst of all, it is our 
children who are most at risk.
  Lyme disease was first described in my home State of Connecticut, and 
we still have the unfortunate distinction of being ten times more 
likely to contract Lyme disease than the rest of the Nation. But the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of new 
cases from 46 States and the District of Columbia. According to some 
estimates, Lyme disease costs our Nation more than $2 billion in 
medical costs each year.
  Lyme disease can affect every part of the body. Tens of thousands of 
Americans suffer through pain, severe fatigue, sleep disturbance, and 
cognitive difficulties, among many other symptoms. Some of these 
victims are able to lead normal lives, finding ways to cope with the 
disease. But many more find the disease significantly disrupts their 
lives, preventing them from everyday experiences that we all take for 
granted.
  The legislation we offer today directs the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services to establish a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee at 
HHS to coordinate efforts and improve communication between the federal 
government, medical experts, physicians, and the public.
  It will improve diagnostic efforts, establish a national 
clearinghouse for research and reporting, and require that scientific 
viewpoints on this often-frustrating disease be disseminated in a 
balanced way.
  It contains tools for researchers, physicians, and the public to 
improve awareness and treatment.
  Finally, it requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress 
an annual report tracking developments related to Lyme disease, its 
spread, its treatment, and its impact on families in Connecticut and 
around the country.
  Lyme disease is a frustrating puzzle for physicians, a burden on our 
Nation's health care system, and most importantly, a threat to American 
families enjoying our beautiful outdoor spaces.

[[Page S7077]]

  I want to specifically mention and thank the organization from my 
home State of Connecticut that worked closely with me to develop this 
legislation, Time for Lyme. The co-presidents and founders of Time for 
Lyme, Diane Blanchard and Debbie Siciliano, are tireless advocates for 
the patients struggling with chronic Lyme disease. This is not their 
job. They are parents whose children suffer from this disease. They 
work to find time in their busy schedules to make a difference. This is 
their mission and they give me hope that we can get this done.
  I also want to thank my good friend, Senator Collins, for her 
leadership on this issue. I want to thank Senators Reed, Lieberman, 
Cardin, and Whitehouse for their support for this bill. Whether it is 
fishing on the Housatonic River or exploring Gillette Castle State Park 
near my home in East Haddam, Connecticut families enjoy a variety of 
outdoor activities.
  But Lyme disease remains a persistent and dangerous risk for my 
constituents, for Senator Collins's constituents, and for those across 
the country. With leadership from this body and better coordination 
from federal agencies, we can more effectively combat this disease, 
better protect our children and families, and make our outdoor spaces 
safer places to work and play.
  I urge my colleagues to join Senator Collins and myself in support of 
this legislation and thank them kindly for their consideration.
                                 ______