The evidence continues to mount that Chronic Lyme Disease (CLD) exists and must be addressed by the medical community if solutions are to be found. Four National Institutes of Health (NIH) trials validated the existence and severity of CLD. Despite the evidence, there are physicians who continue to deny the existence and severity of CLD, which can hinder efforts to find a solution. Recognizing CLD could facilitate efforts to avoid diagnostic delays of two years and durations of illness of 4.7 to 9 years described in the NIH trials. The risk to society of emerging antibiotic-resistant organisms should be weighed against the societal risks associated with failing to treat an emerging population saddled with CLD. The mixed long-term outcome in children could also be examined. Once we accept the evidence that CLD exists, the medical community should be able to find solutions. Medical professionals should be encouraged to examine whether: (1) innovative treatments for early LD might prevent CLD, (2) early diagnosis of CLD might result in better treatment outcomes, and (3) more effective treatment regimens can be developed for CLD patients who have had prolonged illness and an associated poor quality of life.

Drs. Cameron, Maloney, Ostroff, and Kimball along with Julia F. Wagner, Gretchen and Meghan Harrison, and Pat Smith testify before the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, Senator Don White, Chairman, Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Dr. Daniel Cameron, a board certified primary care physician in Mt. Kisco, NY, considered one of the pioneers in successfully treating recurrent or Chronic Lyme Disease, has recently published a research article detailing clinical studies that support the conclusion that Chronic Lyme Disease exists – Proof That Chronic Lyme Disease Exists. Dr. Cameron diligently researched and sourced information, leveraging credible research studies and evidence to outline and prove that Chronic Lyme Disease does exist in his research article. The goal of this article is to inform the public and medical community on the implications of Lyme disease when left undiagnosed and untreated.

The annual cost of acute Lyme disease in Pennsylvania under the ILADS conclusion reflects the additional cost for CLD. The annual cost of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania would be an additional $130 million if ten percent of the 80,000 cases of Lyme disease would become chronic.** The annual cost of CLD in Pennsylvania would be $609 million to $1.2 billion if individuals with CLD remained ill for the 4.7 and 9 years respectively as described in the NIH clinical trials.

How Doctors Are Selected Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is a healthcare research and information company founded in 1991 by a former medical college board chairman and president to help guide consumers to America’s top doctors and hospitals. Castle Connolly’s established survey and research process, under the direction of an MD, involves tens of thousands of top doctors and the medical leadership of leading hospitals.

A dramatic tale of microbes, medicine and money, this eye-opening film investigates the untold story of Lyme disease, an emerging epidemic larger than AIDS. Each year thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, told that their symptoms are "all in their head." Following the stories of patients and physicians as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, the film brings into focus a haunting picture of our health care system and its inability to cope with a silent terror under our skin. Producer, Director & Cinematograher ANDY ABRAHAMS WILSON Senior Producer KRIS NEWBY

But the same perseverance that helped both men through long, agonizing bouts with Lyme disease over the past several years would see them through the marathon bike trip, a trip Mr. Somoroff called "the longest and hardest" he has endured.