Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON– The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee unanimously passed legislation authored by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) that would expand Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mammogram screening eligibility.
Boozman’s Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments (SERVICE) Act would require the VA to conduct mammograms for all women who served in areas associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures regardless of age, symptoms or family history.
“Given the additional risk factors associated with toxic exposure, which we know has occurred in recent combat settings, the VA must update its policies for administering mammograms,” Boozman said. “Committee passage of this bill is a positive step to providing women veterans with the health care they deserve and implementing improved procedures to better treat breast cancer patients.”
The SERVICE Act has the support of the Disabled American Veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and Burn Pits 360.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) helped introduce the bill, which also has the support of Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
This legislation is the latest example of Boozman’s continuing commitment to improving VA care and services for women. Last Congress, he championed the Deborah Sampson Act, a bipartisan initiative to eliminate barriers to care and services that many women face when accessing VA benefits. The landmark bill was signed into law by President Trump in January 2021. Boozman’s SERVICE Act builds on this foundation.