MINUTES 
        
                         SENATE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION 
            Tuesday, May 9, 2000 
                                     9:30 a.m. 
         University of North Texas Health Science Center, Ft. Worth, Texas 
        
                                       ***** 
        
       Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a  
       public hearing of the Senate Committee on Administration was held on  
       Tuesday, May 9, 2000, at  the University of  North Texas Health  
       Science Center, Ft. Worth, Texas 
        
                                       ***** 
                                           
       MEMBERS PRESENT:                          MEMBERS ABSENT: 
       Senator Chris Harris                      Senator Rodney Ellis 
       Senator Frank Madla                       Senator John Whitmire 
       Senator Florence Shapiro 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
       The chair called the meeting to order at 9:50 a.m.  There being a  
       quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
        
       Senator Harris introduced Dr. Benjamin Cohen, President, University  
       of North Texas Health Science Center.  Dr. Cohen greeted the  
       committee and welcomed them to the University.  He stated the  
       University was very pleased to be a part of the search for a  
       diagnostic test to determine tick-borne diseases.  He spoke briefly  
       about the mission of the University and it's commitment to the  
       citizens of Texas and was delighted that Senator Harris had asked  
       for their help. 
        
       Senator Harris spoke of his involvement and experiences with the  
       University of North Texas Health Science Center and how proud he was  
       of their efforts and accomplishments.  He spoke of how at the first  
       meeting on  tick-borne illnesses the committee had asked state  
       agencies to come together,  using existing monies, to try and come  
       up with ideas and solutions on ways to educate the citizens of   
       Texas as to the risks of tick-borne illnesses.  He commended Julie  
       Rawlings, Texas Department of Health and Bryan Richards, Texas Parks  
       and Wildlife Department for the excellent job they have done.  He  
       also talked briefly on the working group of state agencies and  
       different associations and what they have done and not done.   
       Senator Harris expressed his disappointment and anger with the Texas  
       Board of Medical Examiners at not having a representative at the  
       meeting.  He felt their absence  was arrogant and indicated  they  
       don't want to be a part of the solution but instead they continue to  
       be a part of the problem.  Senator Shapiro felt that the absence of  
       the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners was like  a slap in the  
       face.  Since they had been ask to participate they should respect  
       the time and commitment the committee puts in and  at least attend  
       the meetings.  
        
       Senator Harris stated that since the committee was on the subject of  
       the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners he would like to have the  
  
       doctor that  had spoken to him before the meeting to come and share  
       with the committee her experience with the State Medical Board.    
       Dr. Sheila K. Horsley is a Family  Practice physician at Hugley  
       Hospital.  Approximately  ten years ago she attended a Pan-American  
       Allergy Society meeting in San Antonio.  At the meeting she heard a  
       South Western University professor that presented at the meeting  
       recommenced  a product that was an experimental Lyme's vaccine that  
       demonstrated ethicality and health for patients.  Dr. Horsley went  
       on the explain what makes the vaccine unique.  The Lyme vaccine  
       offered a therapeutic option that had not been previously recognized  
       for vaccinations. This vaccine was before the current Lyme vaccine  
       was available.  She obtained the vaccine from Europe thru a  
       laboratory in California only after hearing about it at a national  
       meeting from a South Western University professor.  She presumed   
       what she was doing was an acceptable attempt to help a patient with  
       tertiary neurology Lyme proven CFS positive from a national  
       laboratory.  There was further conversation about her specific case. 
        
       Senator Madla moved adoption of the minutes from the previous  
       hearing held on March 16, 2000; without objection, it was so  
       ordered.   
        
       The next order of business was to hear invited testimony.  Listed in  
       the order of their testimony are the following: 
        
       Julie Rawlings, Texas Department of Health, spoke about the working  
       group they were a part of and future plans of the Texas Department  
       of Health dealing with tick-borne diseases. 
        
       Bryan Richards, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, spoke about the  
       press releases; an article in the  June issue of the Department's  
       magazine; the video being worked on in conjunction with the David   
       Johnson family; and a 10 minute spot for PBS.  Ten million cards  
       with tick information  will be ready  August 1, 2000 to be  
       distributed to every vendor  selling  hunting and fishing licences   
       and made available  at state parks.  An  INTERNET web site  
       (Ticktexas.org)  is being developed with other state agencies . 
        
       Dr. Eric Brown, Texas A & M University IBT Lab, talked about a  
       second generation vaccine that he has been working on and the hope  
       that a pharmaceutical company will become  partners with the  
       University on the research and development. 
        
       Dr. Arthur Eisenberg, Director of DNA Lab and Associate Professor at  
       the University of North Texas Health Science Center, spoke briefly  
       about the history of the DNA Lab; Senator Harris' role in the  
       foundation of the lab; what the primary functions are; and what the  
       hope for the future is.  He is very excited about the opportunity to  
       add the ability to test for the Texas tick-borne illnesses and offer  
       low cost testing to Texas citizens. 
        
       Dr. John Planz, DNA Lab at the University of North Texas Health  
       Science Center, spoke of some of the differences between ticks in  
       Texas and ticks in the Northeast and the need to develop different  
       testing guidelines. 
        
       There were questions and exchange between the speakers and committee  
       members during the above testimony. 
        
       At 11:15 a.m. Senator Madla assumed the chair.  
  
        The meeting continued with public testimony.  Listed in order of  
       their testimony are the following: 
        
       Michael Grace, has chronic Lyme's disease.  Most of his symptoms  
       have been primarily central nervous system.  He is a Optometrist  
       that had practiced for 25 years and is no longer able to work at his  
       profession. He went to many physicians, at least eight, to try and  
       find out what was wrong with him.  He was laughed at, demeaned,  
       humiliated and  told there was no Lyme disease in Texas.  He wanted  
       to encourage the committee to increase the education of the medical  
       community and the public.  This illness has had a debilitating  
       effect on his life.  
        
       Konge Guthrie, talked about her daughter Whitney who died of Rocky  
       Mountain Spotted Fever before she was diagnosed with the illness.  
       (Testimony attached) 
        
       Mary Ann Heaston, testimony attached.  
        
       R. James Martin, currently lives in Euless who believes he  
       contracted Lyme in New Jersey at a young age.  He has been diagnosed  
       with everything but Lyme until 1996 when he started seeing Dr.  
       Moayad.  He is now on the road to a cure.  He feels like lives have  
       been ruined and patients are still reduced to begging  to be seen  
       and heard.  
        
       Janet Rod, a thirty two year old  woman who has had Lyme for the  
       last five years.  (Testimony attached) 
        
       John Quinn, talked about his experience with Lyme disease. 
        
       Diane Self, talked about her two daughters that have Lyme; the  
       difficulty they have encountered with diagnosis and treatment; the  
       pain and disabilities they have suffered; and the effects on their  
       lives. 
       (Testimony attached) 
        
       Laurie Schick,  was bitten when she was twelve years old and she is  
       now forty four.  She spoke of the years of pain, disabilities, her  
       drug addition to relieve the pain and the many other problems her  
       Lyme disease has caused. 
        
       Maria Serrao, actually had a confirmed diagnosis by the Texas  
       Department of Health and has continued to have difficulty with  
       doctors believing that she has Lyme. 
        
       Barbara Watkins, contracted her Lyme disease in Bosque County and  
       had it for about five years but was only diagnosed in the past year.   
       Patricia L. Wilson, has chronic Lyme and has lost three children due  
       to the fact that the Lyme was passed in vitro to each of her  
       children. 
        
       Betty Ackerman, talked about her husband's experience with Lyme  
       disease.  (Testimony attached) 
        
       J. Ben Williams, talked about his wife and daughter who have both  
       been infected with Lyme disease.   
        
       Sharon Abercia Wilner, testified as to the problems she has endured  
  
       since 1987 when she was bitten by a tick and then misdiagnosed by  
       her doctor.  (Testimony attached) 
        
       Teresa Gaye Lucher, now believes she has had Lyme for about 20  
       years.  She is now 40 and suffers from many of the same symptoms as  
       described by the previous people. 
        
       Jo Vonna Hill, has suffered from Lyme disease for twenty years.  She  
       was finally diagnosed by Dr. Patricia Salvato who tested her with  
       the Western Blot; she tested positive with 6 bands.  (Testimony  
       attached) 
        
       Amber Putnam,  a young woman who believes she became infected in  
       1992.  She lost her chance of an  education, her boyfriend, some of  
       her family, and many of her friends due to the fact that she was so  
       sick and disabled by Lyme.   She is finally seeing a doctor that  
       treats her with respect and dignity.  She is getting better with  
       antibiotic treatment.  This disease has ruined her life. 
        
       Karen J. Rose,  has spent the past 5+ years researching every aspect  
       of Lyme disease.  Her case was extreme and diagnosed in a very late  
       stage, with significant and permanent damage incurring before  
       diagnosis.  (Testimony attached) 
        
       Louise Mueller, testimony attached. 
        
       There were many questions and comments between the committee and the  
       above witnesses.  
        
       There being no further business, at 2:15 p.m. Senator Madla moved  
       that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.   
       Without objection, it was so ordered.   
        
       ______________________ 
       Senator Chris Harris, Chair 
        
       ______________________ 
       Myra J. Schmitt, Clerk