HOUSE BILL NO. 4608

May 16, 2019, Introduced by Reps. Whitsett, Eisen, Peterson, Elder, Yancey, Rendon, Hoitenga, Garza, Chirkun, Tate, Cambensy, Haadsma, Kennedy, Brenda Carter, Wozniak, Neeley, Coleman, Jones and Robinson and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled

"Public health code,"

(MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding section 5147.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 5147. (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, the department, in consultation with interested persons, shall develop, by rule, both of the following:

(a) A standardized procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases that are identified by the department. The procedures must include, but are not limited to, providing guidance to health care providers if the result of a serological test for Lyme disease or another tick-borne disease is negative but a symptom of Lyme disease or another tick-borne disease persists.

(b) A standardized notification form to be distributed by health care providers to individuals who are being tested for Lyme disease or another tick-borne disease identified by the department. The notification form must be written in easily understood, nontechnical terms and contain all of the following information:

(i) The symptoms and risk factors for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases identified by the department.

(ii) The available methods for the detection and diagnosis of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases identified by the department, including, but not limited to, information on the relative accuracy of available detection and diagnostic techniques.

(iii) Possible coinfections.

(iv) Any other information that the department considers relevant.

(2) The department shall distribute the procedures and notification form described in subsection (1) to health care providers. The department shall also periodically review the procedures and notification form and provide updates if there are advancements in the testing and treatment of Lyme disease or other identified tick-borne diseases.

(3) As used in this section:

(a) "Health care provider" means an individual licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized to engage in a health profession under article 15.

(b) "Interested persons" means a health care provider, research expert, and any other person the department considers necessary or appropriate, including, but not limited to, the Michigan Lyme Disease Association, the Lyme Disease Association, the Michigan board of medicine, and the Michigan board of osteopathic medicine and surgery.