The Ely Times: Senator Rosen Makes Stop in Ely As Part of Tour

By Kay Lynn Roberts-McMurray

Last week, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen traveled part of Nevada as part of her listening tour.  Rosen heard directly from Nevadans on issues ranging from economic development, access to broadband and health services including tele-medicine, and land management and conservation efforts.

Rosen traveled about 650 miles across nine counties, making stops in Ely, Elko, Fallon, Fernley, Lovelock, West Wendover, and Winnemucca.

When Rosen stopped into Ely, she met with several council members and personnel from the Ely Shoshone Tribe.

Rosen was asked about banking for cannabis companies in Nevada. “Marijuana banking, trust me. We we’re just talking about the top five things that are important to Nevada. Broadband, marijuana banking, affordable housing and Yucca Mountain.”

Diane Buckner, Ely Shoshone Tribal Council chairwoman, brought up the issue of tele-health medicine and discussed several contributing factors.

“We we’re awarded $155,000 and Westnet is going to begin the installation of fiber line to the reservation,” Buckner said. “Problem being, it doesn’t go towards the clinic, so we are going to have to figure out some way that we can take over across to the clinic  Our health director is a little bit concerned about that.”

Rosen noted that she would look into that since the company will be here taking care of several fiber lines in White Pine County.

“We need to develop ways to better provide health care to Nevadans in tribal and rural communities,” Rosen said. “Increased access to tele-medicine would allow those who live far away from physical hospitals and medical facilities to receive medical care without having to travel great distances.

“Nevadans elected me to be their advocate for increased access to quality, affordable health care, and I pledge to do so with forward-thinking solutions that address our state’s needs.”

Last congress, then-Congresswoman Rosen co-sponsored several bills that would have improved access to tele-health services. This includes ensuring that tele-health services for stroke victims are eligible under Medicare, expanding telehealth coverage for home dialysis and remote patient monitoring, and expanding tele-health programs for rural and Native American populations.