Mass. governor's veto of long-term coverage for Lyme disease is overridden

After nearly 15 years of fighting to get insurance coverage for long-term treatment of Lyme disease, the Legislature finally did it, just two minutes before a midnight deadline on Sunday.

The legislation that requires private health insurers to cover the cost of long-term treatment for the disease went into effect as soon as the overriding votes in the House and Senate were cast. Previously, most coverage was only for 28 days of antibiotics. Proponents say people with chronic Lyme disease may need longer treatment.

“I’m very happy,” state Rep. David P. Linsky, D-Natick, sponsor of the bill, said Monday. “This measure will help a lot of people and a lot of families in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that’s the most important thing. It is law at this moment.”

Gov. Charles D. Baker Jr. vetoed the legislation that was attached in June as a budget amendment as the July 31 end to this session was drawing close. Legislators overrode the governor’s alternative and restored the original language in the bill. They also attached an emergency preamble, making the legislation, if approved, effective immediately.

Read more: http://www.telegram.com/news/20160801/mass-governors-veto-of-long-term-coverage-for-lyme-disease-is-overridden