#NVSen: Reid Front Group Launches More False Attacks

Heller a Leader on Health Care for Women, Particularly Women Facing Breast Cancer

(Las Vegas, NV) – The latest ad from Reid front-group Patriot Majority completely disregards Dean Heller’s long record fighting for health care for women, including legislation he introduced with DNC chairman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz to expand preventive services for breast cancer. Even worse, Shelley Berkley and her Washington allies are trying to make the case that the government should be making health care decisions for women and all Nevadans.

“This ad is nothing but a false attack and further proof that Shelley Berkley and her Washington allies have no concern for the truth. Dean Heller has introduced bipartisan legislation to make sure women have access to services and has in fact championed mobile mammography programs.

“In a desperate effort to attack Dean Heller and talk about anything but her own record, Shelley Berkley and her allies are boasting support for a plan that puts Nevadans’ health in the hands of the federal government. Shelley Berkley wants the same massive bureaucracy that has run up a $16 trillion debt that has 24 programs dedicated to information technology, 100 programs for surface transportation and 82 programs for teacher quality making decisions about Nevadans’ health. Dean Heller believes those decisions should be made by doctors,” said Chandler Smith, Heller for Senate spokeswoman.

Dean Heller’s record fighting for women includes:

Dean has championed a mobile mammography program that allows women to receive care in underserved areas:

• While serving in the House of Representatives, Dean was the original author of the Mobile Mammography Promotion Act.  Initially introduced in 2009 as H.R. 2964, this bill gained the support of more than 70 bipartisan cosponsors. Democrat Melissa Bean (D-IL-8) was the original Democratic cosponsor of that bill.
• Dean reintroduced the Mobile Mammography Promotion Act in the 112th Congress (H.R. 879). Current DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was the original Democratic cosponsor of that bill.
• In October 2011, Dean sent a dear colleague letter asking other Senators to join him in support of the Mobile Mammography Promotion Act (S. 84) to help ensure continued access to breast cancer screening.

Dean Heller cosponsored the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act (H.R. 1157):

• Dean cosponsored legislation that encourages greater research into the factors contributing to breast cancer. The President signed this bill into law on October 8, 2008.

Dean Heller supports funding that would help women detect cancer early:

• Dean supported and voted for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1132), which was signed into law in April 2007.  This legislation authorizes $1.3 billion for the NBCCEDP over the next five years.

Dean Heller has worked to improve care for patients facing a variety of cancers:

• Dean was a member of the House Cancer Care Working Group.
•  Dean has supported legislation to convey public land to the Nevada Cancer Institute. This would allow for construction of a new facility to expand research and care facilities that will provide more access to care for Nevadans.