Leaders honored for legislative work aimed at improving access to bone density testing and regulating endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Newswise — Chevy Chase, MD—The Endocrine Society announced today that Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jim Moran (D-VA), and former Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) are the recipients of the Society’s 2010 Distinguished Legislator Award. This award recognizes and commends members of Congress who strive to advance endocrinology research and enhance public understanding of health issues pertaining to the field of endocrinology.

“This year’s winners have worked tirelessly on two issues of critical importance to the endocrine-related scientific and clinical communities, as well as the general public: improving the processes aimed at the regulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and ensuring patient access to bone density tests,” said Kelly E. Mayo, PhD, president of The Endocrine Society. “We are pleased to honor these leaders with the Society’s Distinguished Legislator Award for their demonstrated commitment to the care of patients with endocrine-related conditions and to the scientific advancement and practice of endocrinology.”

The 2010 award recipients have provided the following leadership on behalf of endocrine-related conditions and issues:

• Former Senator Lincoln was the 2010 champion in the Senate for the Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act and a dedicated advocate of bone health legislation in past congresses. She was a co-sponsor of legislation to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the special diabetes programs for Type I diabetes and Indians under that Act.

• Representative Berkley has been a long-time advocate for bone health as reflected by her sponsorship of the Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act in 2010 as well as when the bill was first introduced in 2008. She has been a champion in the area of diabetes as demonstrated through her co-sponsorship of House Resolution 69 recognizing the need to continue research into the causes, treatment, education and eventual cure for diabetes, and her co-sponsorship of H.R. 1402 Catalyst to Better Diabetes Care Act to create change and improve the care and treatment of diabetes in the U.S.

• Representative Markey, senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, was an original sponsor of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Enhancement Act of 2010 and sought scientific input from Society experts in the development of that legislation. In addition to his leadership seeking the regulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, he has advocated on behalf of patients with diabetes and research dedicated to the treatment of diabetes through his co-sponsorship of House Resolution 69.

• Representative Moran, an original sponsor of the Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act of 2009 as well as the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Enhancement Act of 2010, has been a dedicated advocate working to ensure safe drinking water for every American. He has also been active in the fight against obesity through his co-sponsorship of H.R. 2426 Menu Education and Labeling Act, his co-sponsorship of H.R. 966 expressing support for the designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and H.R. 3668 to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the special diabetes programs for Type I diabetes and Indians under that Act.

Please visit http://www.endo-society.org/advocacy/index.cfm to learn more about The Endocrine Society’s advocacy agenda.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society’s membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endo-society.org.