[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 5, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Women Veterans' Healthcare

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the 
significant legislative victories the Senate recently delivered for 
women veterans with the passage of two pieces of legislation to 
modernize breast cancer screening polices and the delivery of 
lifesaving care for women veterans.
  Breast cancer is the second most common cancer for women. For women 
veterans and servicemembers, the incidence of breast cancer is 
estimated to be up to 40 percent higher than the general population.
  Given the dangerous environments in which military members serve and 
additional risk factors associated with these locations, it is long 
overdue for the Department of Veterans Affairs to update its policies 
for administering mammograms.
  We know early detection is crucial to preventing and treating breast 
cancer, so making sure those who are more vulnerable receive screenings 
at a younger age is not only reasonable but critical.
  This would have helped Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, a Marine veteran, 
who was unaware of her increased risk for breast cancer. She shared her 
memories of deployment to Fallujah in 2005 with the Senate Veterans' 
Affairs Committee last year.
  She understood the risk associated with IEDs, and she remembers the 
burn pits--so commonplace, they were largely ignored--but she wasn't 
concerned with the impact of what she called ``the flaming poison'' 
surrounding her would have on her own health.
  In a routine medical appointment with her VHA health provider in 
2018, Kate thought it was odd she was recommended to undergo a 
mammogram. That exam subsequently led to her diagnosis of stage IV 
breast cancer. She was 38 years old.
  That is devastating news for anyone to face, and I know the entire 
Senate joins me in praying for Kate as she continues her fight against 
cancer.
  Nobody would blame her for focusing on her own health battle, but she 
knows her story wouldn't be the last if something didn't change.
  That is why Kate is being an advocate for modernizing VA policies so 
other veterans don't experience the same struggles she is living with.
  We honored her activism by crafting and passing the Dr. Kate 
Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat 
Environments Act. It will broaden veteran access to mammograms and also 
require the VA to compile data regarding the rates of breast cancer 
among members of the veteran and civilian population so we can continue 
improving procedures to better treat breast cancer patients.
  The Senate also unanimously passed the MAMMO for Veterans Act to 
expand access to high-quality breast cancer screenings, improving 
imaging services in rural areas, and clinical trials through 
partnerships with the National Cancer Institute.
  The VA is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the prevention and 
treatment of breast cancer. Taking full advantage of the Department's 
unique capabilities, resources, and outreach will help deliver the 
lifesaving care that veterans deserve.
  Passage of the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act and the MAMMO 
for Veterans Act reflects the bipartisan support for improving veteran 
services and benefits. I appreciate Senator Wyden's support and the 
leadership in the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the leadership 
of Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tester, who has been my 
reliable partner in advancing policies to improve the VA's care and 
services for women.
  The VA estimates women make up 10 percent of our Nation's veteran 
population and continues to be the fastest growing population.
  Last Congress, we made significant progress to expand VA's care and 
services for women with the passage of the landmark Deborah Sampson 
Act.
  This was an important first step, and the legislation we passed last 
month continues to build on this foundation so we can fulfill the 
promise made to women who served in our Nation's uniform.
  I am pleased the Senate has approved these policies, and I urge my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to follow our example and 
quickly approve the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act and the MAMMO 
for Veterans Act so that they can be signed into law.
  The women who have served our country in uniform need to know we are 
taking every step available to protect their health. These bills are an 
important downpayment in that mission.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.