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