As many of you are aware, the subcommittee met on Monday evening to hear evidence regarding Delegate Rust’s H.B. 512 and to deliberate, and we wanted to quickly update all of our readers on the outcome. All of the emails, letters and phone calls you sent to your delegates were heard; we had extensive support throughout the main committee. Unfortunately, we were up against a stacked deck and a subcommittee that was generally not in support of H.B. 512. It appeared as though the bill would be killed. However, proponents of the bill presented compelling statements for why this bill is so important, but what really saved the bill were the constituents! Over 100 people showed up to the subcommittee meeting, packed themselves into the committee meeting room, and stood when asked to show their support for the bill.
With all of the constituent support, the bill was not killed. Instead, the subcommittee motioned and seconded for the bill to be moved forward to the 2011 session. While this is not a complete win, this does give us another year to continue our efforts in awareness, education, and grassroots campaigning. Any suggestions that you may have to help us in our endeavor over the next year to raise awareness, increase education, and participate in grassroots campaigning is greatly welcome!
Please check back in the following weeks for posts regarding what went into this bill, including the creation, lobbying, and subcommittee meeting. If we all continue to join together, we can get this bill passed in the 2011 session and allow our doctors to treat Lyme disease with antibiotics for more than four weeks without fear of disciplinary action!
Thanks for inviting me to the hearing last week. I learned a lot about chronic Lyme disease and long-term antibiotic treatment. It will be interesting to follow what happens with Virginia HB 512.
It was so great to finally meet you and for you to join us! Thanks for coming out to support!