Barrett launches Lyme petition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 26, 2014

QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Toby Barrett is calling on the government to include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for Lyme disease under Ontario health coverage.

To that end, Barrett joined several of his counterparts in launching a petition calling for OHIP to cover more testing for Lyme disease patients. Barrett has heard stories of Haldimand-Norfolk residents who were bitten by a deer tick and contracted Lyme disease having to shell out thousands of dollars for testing in the United States.

“The north shore of Lake Erie is a hotbed for deer ticks and Lyme disease,” Barrett said. “We need to recognize Lyme disease is prevalent in Ontario.”

The petition is available both as a download and to be signed electronically on Barrett’s web site at www.tobybarrett.com