STATEMENT OF ASSEMBLYMAN FRED W. THIELE, JR.
FOR THE NOVEMBER 9, 200 RALLY
IN SUPPORT OF DR. JOSEPH BURRASCANO, JR., M.D.
The myriad of issues surrounding Lyme disease - research,
scientific integrity, diagnosis and treatment modalities - have
become the basis for an increasingly heated debate between
government agencies, medical professional, patients and their
families. Under close scrutiny are medical professionals who
disagree with the current standard protocol of 3-4 weeks of
antibiotic treatment for Lyme Disease, and are aggressively
treating this insidious disease with a long-term antibiotic regimen.
Dr. Burrascano began treating Lyme patients in the mid 1980’s on
eastern Long Island, an area said to have the highest case rate of
Lyme Disease in the world. He has managed the care of
thousands of patients with this disease from forty-two states and
eleven countries. Physicians from all around the world call him
daily for his advice and his copyrighted guidelines for diagnosis
and treatment is in its thirteenth edition and has been translated
into three languages.
Lyme Disease can present as a terribly serious illness and until
there is a diagnostic tool that can positively identify this insidious
disease, we must work together to ensure that our constituents,
friends and family are able to receive the best care possible.
I receive hundreds of letters weekly from constituents and
patients
expressing their strong support for Dr. Burrascano, lauding his
efforts and accomplishments in the field of Lyme Disease
treatment. In consideration of the controversy surrounding this
issue, and the knowledge and dedication of this physician, I
respectfully requested of the Governor, that he intercede to halt this
review until the validity of the charges against Dr. Burrascano can
be confirmed. Lyme Disease has adversely impacted the lives of
many of my constituents and I do not want to see them denied
access to Dr. Burrascano if they could be helped by his treatment
modalities.
FRED W. THIELE, JR.
Assemblyman 2nd district
Presented by
Rick Laferriere
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