BILL NUMBER: S4453
SPONSOR: STEC
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to grants for gradu-
ate medical education in Lyme and tick-borne disease
 
PURPOSE:
To establish grants for graduate medical education in Lyme and tick-
borne disease, as well as allow the commissioner of health to designate
Lyme and tick-borne disease resource centers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Authorizes the commissioner of health to make grants, within
amounts appropriated, in support of certified fellowship education
programs to establish or expand education in Lyme and tick-borne disease
for graduate medical education. Guidelines for consideration of appli-
cants by the commissioner are also established. Additionally, creates
the designation of centers for Lyme and tick-borne disease excellence
and allows the commissioner to designate Lyme and tick-borne-disease
resource centers.
The commissioner is also instructed to prepare and submit a report to
the governor and the legislature by February 1, 2022, on the results and
effectiveness of this legislation.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Despite being the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the
United States, Lyme disease still does not garner the attention as
other, less common, diseases. This is especially counterintuitive since
Lyme disease is largely concentrated in the northeast, with New York
State having the third most confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the U.S.
in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With the alarming spread of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases in New
York State, it is critical that we help ensure our medical professionals
are adequately trained to treat patients for these diseases.
Over the past 20 years, the prevalence of Lyme disease has surged
throughout New York state, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
In recent years, several New York counties have had some of the most
significant infection rates per capita in the nation.
In 2019 alone, more than 4,200 New Yorkers were infected with Lyme,
according to the CDC.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S4507 referred to Health
2021-2022: S2825 referred to Health
2019-20: S.1247 Referred to Health
2017-18: S.2621A Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Within amounts appropriated.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.