An Act Concerning the Use of Long-term Antibiotics for the Treatment of Lyme Disease
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1709
Committee Amendment CA_A_H632 (House)
Amends: 1 MRSA §150-E, 22 MRSA §1645

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,If" to H.P. 1210, L.D. 1709, Bill, "An Act 
Concerning the Use of Long-term Antibiotics for the Treatment of Lyme Disease" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Enhance Public Awareness of Lyme Disease' 
Amend the bill by insel1ing after the title and before the enacting clause the 
following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease 
Control and Prevention rep0l1s that in 2008 and 2009 there were over 900 confirmed 
cases of Lyme disease in the State and the United States Department of Health and 
Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the actual 
incidence of Lyme disease is approximately 10 times the amount rep0l1ed; and 
Whereas, this Act designates the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month 
to raise public awareness and improve education for the prevention, diagnosis and 
treatment of Lyme disease; and 
Whereas, immediate enactment is necessary so that public awareness and education 
eff0l1s related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are conducted throughout 
the State this May; and 
Whel"eas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and insel1ing the following: 
'Sec. 1. 1 MRSA §150-E is enacted to read: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"fi" to H.P. 1210, L.D. 1709 
§150-E. Lyme Disease Awareness Month 
The month of May of each year is designated as Lyme Disease Awareness Month, 
and the Governor shall annually issue a proclamation inviting and urging the people of 
the State to observe the month through appropriate activities. During the month, the 
Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention shall make information available to the public to improve education and 
awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease that is 
consistent with the recommendations of the United States Department of Health and 
Human Services. 
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1645, sub-§l, ~, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 561, § I, is 
amended to read: 
B. The diagnosis and treatment guidelines for Lyme disease recommended by the 
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal United States 
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention; 
Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §1645, sub-§l, ewe, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 561, § 1, is 
amended to read: 
C. 
A summary or bibliography of peer-reviewed medical literature and studies 
related to the diagnosis, medical management and tfte treatment of Lyme disease and 
other tick-borne illnesses, including, but not liinited to, the recognition of chronic 
Lyme disease and the use of long-term antibiotic treatment; 
Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §1645, sub-§3 is enacted to read: 
3. 
Publicly accessible website. The Maine Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention shall maintain a publicly accessible website to provide public awareness and 
education on Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The website must provide 
information on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-
borne illnesses for use by health care providers and the public, including, but not limited 
to, links to resources made available and recommended by the United States Department 
of Health and Human Services. 
Sec. 5. 
24-A MRS A §4302, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 561, §2, is 
amended to read: 
5. Annual report; claims for diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other 
tick-bome illnesses. 
By February 1 st of each year, all carriers shall file with the 
superintendent for the most recent calendar year for all covered individuals in the State 
the total claims made for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-
borne illnesses. The filing inust include information on the number of claims made for the 
diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, the total dollar 
amount of those claims, the number of claim denials and the reasons for those denials, the 
number and outcome of internal appeals and the number of external appeals related to the 
diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The 
superintendent shall compile from all carriers this data in an annual report and submit the 
report by March 15th of each year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over health insurance matters. The superintendent shall consult with 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "Lo 1-1.1'.1210, L.D. 1709 
the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention to determine any additional information to be collected from carriers, 
beginning with data for calendar year 2011. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment does the following. 
1. 
It establishes the month of Mayas Lyme Disease Awareness Month. It also 
directs the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control 
and Prevention to make appropriate information available to the public to improve 
education and awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. 
2. 
It clarifies the annual reporting requirements on Lyme disease and other tick-
borne illnesses to include information on diagnosis as well as treatment. It also requires' 
the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to maintain a publicly accessible 
website to provide public awareness and education on Lyme disease and other tick-borne 
illnesses, including links to resources made available and recommended by the United 
States Department of Health and Human Services. 
3. It requires health insurers to report claims data related to Lyme disease diagnosis 
as well as treatment. 
4. 
It adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause. 
FISCAL i\OTE j{E(lLlRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 02/0811 0 wac 
LD 1709 
LR 2125(02) 
An Act Concerning the Use of Long-term Antibiotics for the Treatment of Lyme Disease 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '/1" 
Committee: Insurance and Financial Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the Department of Health and Human 
Services can be absorbed by the center utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR212S(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I 
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