Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Bost for yielding me time to speak.

I rise today to express my support for S. 2102, the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act. I was proud to introduce the House companion of this important bipartisan piece of legislation with Congresswoman Brownley. I thank Senators Boozman and Wyden for their work in passing this bill.

The importance of this bill is that the United States Preventative Health Service indicates mammography at an annual level after age 40, and our veterans who have risked their lives and their health in service to our country are exposed to toxins and burn pits and need treatment and screening to prevent long-term health issues and at an earlier time period. Female veterans are especially at risk for several types of cancer, especially breast cancer. Female veterans are at a 20 to 40 percent higher risk of breast cancer, and female veterans who have been exposed to toxic exposure are at an even higher risk.

As a doctor, I understand just how lifesaving early mammogram screenings can be. I have always told my patients that early detection is the key to successfully treating all types of cancer. This bill will allow for an earlier mammography screening for female veterans who served in locations with toxic exposure.

This bill is in honor of Dr. and Marine Corps veteran Kate Hendricks Thomas, who unfortunately passed away in April due to stage IV breast cancer. Dr. Thomas advocated for earlier mammography screenings for female veterans that were exposed to toxic exposure.

The bipartisan and bicameral SERVICE Act will give female veterans access to more screenings to stay ahead of this terrible disease. Today, as a 24-year Army veteran, I am proudly voting in support of this bill to protect and save the lives of our female veterans.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of S. 2102, the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act. I look forward to a strong bipartisan vote today and sending this bill to the President to become law.

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