Illinois state Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) is more than willing to share all the credit he’s getting for his fight against Lyme disease with Illinois Lyme Association director Jennifer Russell.

“Working with Jennifer Russell and many other Lyme advocates, we were able to pass House Bill 889 which mandates insurance coverage for Lyme suffers,” Swanson told WRMU Radio. “It’s been very exciting. Just a few weeks ago, we had an hour long conversation with a doctor and constituent in Texas trying to get their state legislature to pass some coverage.”

Swanson said the talks haven’t ended there.

“I’ve talked to legislators in Wisconsin and will be meeting someone next week in Chicago from Michigan,” he said. “We’ve had discussions with people in Arkansas. The eyes have been on Illinois for the past two-years because of what we’re doing in protecting our doctors and patients with Lyme disease through insurance policies.”