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State Reports Increase in Lyme Cases in 2016
Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of confirmed cases of Lyme disease, which was confirmed by an approximate 20 percent increase in people infected by the tick-borne illness last year. In total, more than 11,443 cases were reported in 2016, according to a report released this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Locally, Wayne County reported 101 cases and Susquehanna County reported 85 cases. Each county in the Commonwealth is confirmed to have a high risk of Lyme.
Legislatively, the House passed House Bill 174, which would require health insurers to cover treatment plans for Lyme disease or related tick-borne illnesses as prescribed by a patient’s health care practitioner, regardless if the treatment plan includes short-term or long-term antibiotic treatment. The bill is now with the Senate.
The best prevention against Lyme and other tickborne illnesses is to avoid tick-infested habitats, such as areas dense with shrubbery or tall grass. Proper use of personal protective measures such as repellents and protective clothing, and checking for and removing attached ticks are also important deterrents to tick-related complications. Other prevention tips are available here.
Protecting You from Scams
To better protect consumers from financial scams, the Office of Attorney General has created a unit dedicated to consumer financial protection.
The effort will focus on lenders that prey on seniors, families with students, and military service members, including for-profit colleges and mortgage and student loan servicers.
If you think you’ve been scammed, call the attorney general’s office at 1-800-441-2555 or send an email to scam@attorneygeneral.gov.
In 2016, the Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau handled 19,727 consumer complaints and returned a total of $8.5 million in restitution to consumers.
Live Free, Ride Alive
Motorcycle riders, per vehicle mile traveled, are 35 times more likely to die in a crash than people traveling in cars, according to PennDOT.
The Live Free, Ride Alive website <<www.livefreeridealive.com>> offers valuable information, resources, videos and tips for riding and equipping a bike to both beginning and expert riders, along with a list of rides and other events.
The site also includes information on permits and licenses, along with details about free training courses that are available through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP). Samples tests are also included on the site.
Ag Progress Days Hosts Fun, Education for All Ages
One of the largest outdoor agricultural expositions will draw more than 45,000 people to central Pennsylvania next week to learn more about the science and business of agriculture production during the annual Ag Progress Days near State College.
Sponsored by Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the event attracts nearly 500 exhibitors from 34 states and Canada, with more than 60 percent directly or indirectly involved in ag production.
In addition to the exhibits and trade show, attendees can participate in crop displays, machinery demonstrations, guided research tours, family and youth activities, horse exhibitions and workshops.
While there, the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees will hold an informational briefing on watershed improvement plans related to the federal Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts.
No admission fee is charged, and parking is free. For more information, visit agsci.psu.edu/apd.
Fun at the Wayne County Fair
Andrew Seder, from Sen. Lisa Baker’s office, joined me to congratulate Abigail Robson, whose goat won grand champion at the 155th Wayne County Fair.
Do You Have Unclaimed Property?
Did you know millions of dollars in unclaimed property comes into the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property each year? The most common types of unclaimed property are dormant bank accounts, stocks and dividends, uncashed payroll checks, uncollected utility deposits, unredeemed gift certificates and items in safe deposit boxes.
Some constituents may be receiving a letter from my office concerning unclaimed property. We are happy to help you claim what is yours. You may visit my website www.RepFritzPA.com to check the unclaimed property database or call us at 570-278-3374 or 570-253-5533.
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