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Doctors, Nurses Blast GOP Senate Field On Mammograms

Reid Campaign Launches Health Care Professionals for Reid

LAS VEGAS – Today, Friends for Harry Reid held a news conference, bringing together an independent group of healthcare professionals as part of Health Care Professionals for Harry Reid that will advise the campaign on health care issues. During the event held at the Women’s Cancer Center of Nevada, the group of doctors and nurses blasted the 2010 Republican Senate field for their opposition to mandating insurance companies cover mammograms.

“This election is about a choice between the status quo and Senator Reid’s vision of quality, affordable healthcare for all Nevadans,” said Dr. Nick M. Spirtos, Director of the Women’s Cancer Center of Nevada’s Division of Gynocologic Oncology. “Unfortunately, Sharron Angle, Sue Lowden, and Danny Tarkanian would stand in the way of that goal by allowing health insurance companies to strip out coverage of basic preventive services like mammograms.”

“While Senator Reid is working to extend quality medical care to all Nevadans, the Republican candidates’ only idea is to block access to vital preventive care,” said Dr. Khan, President of the Quality Care Consultants.


Dr. Khan stands at the podium. (Left to Right: Dr. Debra Toney, Stephanie Kirby, Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Nevada, Dr. Jameson, Dr. Ruckdeschel, and Gary Fisher, Psychologist at U.N.R)

“Mammograms and other preventive care are critical to a woman’s health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Florence Jameson, a Las Vegas OB-GYN. “Denying coverage of this vital service is denying access to quality medical care.”

“Our nation’s healthcare system is in serious need of repair,” said Dr. Debra Toney, President of the National Black Nurses Association, who spoke at the press conference. “Whether they can’t afford insurance or have been turned down because of a pre-existing condition, Senator Reid knows hundreds of thousands of Nevadans are suffering because they can’t see a doctor. I support Senator Reid because he has the courage and determination to resolve one of the biggest problems facing our state.”


Dr. Spirtos stands at the podium. (Left to Right: Dr. Debra Toney, Stephanie Kirby, Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Nevada, Dr. Jameson, Dr. Ruckdeschel, and Gary Fisher, Psychologist at U.N.R)

Others in attendance at the event included Dr. John C. Ruckdeschel, Director and CEO of the Nevada Cancer Institute.

Three of the 2010 Republican candidates have stated their opposition to this common sense preventive measure.

Sharron Angle and Danny Tarkanian oppose minimum coverage standards for insurance plans to include the basics like mammograms, prostate screenings, and HPV vaccines. [Angle Town Hall 9/1/2009; KNXT Town Hall Meeting, 8/20/2009]

Sue Lowden voted against minimum coverage standards for insurance companies to include cost-saving preventative care like mammograms, pap smears, prenatal care, and prostate screenings. [NV Senate Commerce and Labor Committee minutes, 6/15/1995]

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