Continuing to Fight Lyme

Terry Gipson

December 2, 2014

Dear Friend,

Throughout the last two years we have been working hard to ensure that those suffering from Lyme disease have the patient rights that they deserve and the treatment they need. I'm proud that during my first term our shared efforts resulted in the passage of the patient protection bill which I co-sponsored, S.7854.

This bill is now sitting on Governor Cuomo’s desk waiting to be signed. I contacted the Governor explaining how important this legislation is for those suffering from Lyme disease and their families across New York, and how it needs to be enacted into law immediately. You can read my letter HERE.

With your help we successfully educated my colleagues on the importance of this issue which led to this bill being brought to a unanimous vote in the NYS Senate. Now I’m calling on your help again. Join me in showing your support by urging Governor Cuomo to sign the bill.

We need to take action now. After Dec. 31, an unsigned bill is considered vetoed after 10 days!

Here’s what you can do:

1. Write a letter to Governor Cuomo addressed to:
            The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
            Governor of New York State
            NYS State Capitol Building
            Albany, NY 12224

2. Call the Governor’s office at 1-518-474-8390 (office hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm)

3. Additionally, advocates have started an online form where you can contact the Governor’s office. Click HERE to check that out.

With your help we can get this legislation signed into law. I look forward to this being a stepping-stone for New York State to take further action that will require health insurers to provide coverage for the long-term medical care of Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses.