I firmly believe we should have term limits. I think it would help curb the corruption, and it would take care of this problem. And that they were turning to Frist for health advice is even scarier!!!

The average age of members of the U.S. Senate is older than it has ever been, according to Senate Historian Richard Baker. For many senators, advanced age is starting to show, raising questions about their ability to govern.

Until his retirement last month, former majority leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., a noted heart surgeon, was being consulted for informal medical advice by two dozen of his colleagues — more than 20 percent of the Senate, according to a former leadership aide. They went to Frist complaining about a host of illnesses and chronic maladies, most related to aging.

Among them were Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who flew on Frist’s jet for private consultation and treatment at the Frist Clinic in Nashville, according to Senate sources.

The average age of the 100 senators is 62, up from 60 in the last Congress. Among the new Democratic committee chairmen, it is 69. And, of the five longest’serving senators, three are there today. Including the grand-daddy of seniority, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., 89.

As far as illnesses, at least 10 senators have fought various cancers or suffered severe injuries. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., remains hospitalized here for a brain hemorrhage suffered last month. And others deal with chronic and debilitating infirmities.

In the past, the clubby atmosphere of the Senate provided cover for its frailest members. No longer. Today, a senator’s smallest stumble, nap or memory lapse gets instant and widespread public exposure online through blogs and videos posted on YouTube and other social-networking Web sites. (See related story.)

Few senators will talk publicly about their own health problems or those of their colleagues. But many sought counsel from one of their own, Frist. He offered informal and discreet medical advice to his colleagues and some spouses during his 12-year tenure, a former Senate leadership aide said.

“You would be surprised by the people who sought his advice” on health-related issues, said the former aide. “There was a steady flow of people in and out of the office.” Frist declined to comment.

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