September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month -- a good time to talk about a controversial issue doing the rounds in Capitol Hill. Many prostate cancer survivors are opposed to a bill of U.S. Senate that would end Medicaid coverage for drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. Some senators call them "lifestyle drugs."

Nevada Senator John Ensign is among those in Washington who believe federal dollars should not pay for drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra as they are considered as lifestyle drugs.

Las Vegas urologist Michael Kaplan says there are a number of medical conditions that can make a man impotent -- prostate cancer among them. He says, "And part of a patient's perception that he's beaten this disease, are with the return of normal bladder function and normal sexual function. That's what makes them feel whole, like they're back on track. Their cancer's defeated and they can get on with their life."

Most private insurance providers cover these drugs for erectile dysfunction, and Dr. Kaplan believes that Medicare and Medicaid patients should receive the same level of care.

The proposed legislation would block all funding for E.D. drugs under Medicare's new prescription drug benefit program.

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