Berkley prods doctors to speak up on medical issues facing Congress

Wednesday, April 7, 1999 | 10:45 a.m.

Doctors need to fight for their right to make medical decisions, and they need to do so by making their views known to their representatives in Congress and in other political arenas, Rep. Shelley Berkley told members of the Clark County Medical Society Tuesday.

Speaking at the society's 1999 Legislative Dinner, Berkley, D-Nev., who married nephrologist Larry Lehrner one week ago Sunday, said dating a doctor during her campaign led to a deep appreciation for issues confronting the medical community.

Medical professionals, she said, need to ensure that medical decisions are made by them rather than the government or insurance companies.

She also touched on women's health care issues, focusing on osteoporosis, a deteriorating bone disorder that Berkley has. It affects mainly women as they grow older.

Providing Dexascan, a simple five-minute test that can detect osteoporosis in the early stages, can save millions of tax dollars through corrective measures, she said. Ten months since she was diagnosed, she said, she's not only seen a stop in the deterioration but her bone mass has actually improved.

Berkley received applause when she expressed confidence that a bill establishing a federal Patients' Bill of Rights would become law this year. It failed by five votes in the last Congress, she said, but Democrats have made it one of their priorities for this session.

"We're going to get this through this time," she said. "It's a very important piece of legislation."

Berkley also talked about her experience over the last 12 weeks as a freshman in Washington representing the "most unique district in the country."

Las Vegas has the fastest-growing senior population, the fastest-growing veteran population and the fastest-growing school-age population, she said.

Recently appointed to the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Berkley said she is eager to bring relief to the veterans community. Nevada, Florida and Arizona are the only states in the country with increasing veterans populations, she said.

Berkley said protecting the Social Security system and Medicare and providing long-term care for older Americans are important issues in Nevada because of the growing senior population.

Berkley, who is a co-sponsor for the Prescription Drug Fairness For Seniors Act, added that coming up with a method to provide medication for uninsured seniors without price-fixing is a challenge.