Area Lawmakers Author Lyme Bill

There is some controversy over the most effective treatment of Lyme disease and that controversy has found its way into a piece of legislation at the state capitol. State Senator Paul Koering of Fort Ripley is an author of a bill which protects physicians from disciplinary action by the state Board of Medical Practice for treating people diagnosed with Lyme disease with long term antibiotics.

State Representative John Ward of Brainerd is authoring a similar bill on the house side. He tells KLKS News, the Brainerd Lakes Area is ground zero for Lyme Disease, and doctors need the ability to treat patients as they see fit.

People who had Lyme disease symptoms testified during the committee process that long term antibiotic treatment was the only thing which cured their ailments and argued that they should have the right to seek this form of treatment in Minnesota .

Proponents of long term antibiotic treatment advocate for treatment lengths of as many as 15 months or more.