Good news! On June 7, five important veteran-related bills were signed by the president and became public law.
The Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act – named after Marine Corps Officer Kate Thomas, who served near a burn pit in Iraq and died of breast cancer – expands eligibility for VA mammography screening to veterans who served in locations associated with toxic exposures. (P.L. 117-133)
The Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act gives VA the authority to restore important education benefits to veterans who were unable to complete a course or program as a result of the closure of an educational institution or the disapproval of a program by the state approving agency or the VA. (P.L. 117-138)
The Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act (MAMMO Act) strengthens and expands access to high-quality breast cancer screenings and life-saving cancer care for veterans nationwide. (P.L. 117-135)
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Extension Act extends a program that compensates individuals who were exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing, or uranium mining or processing, and who subsequently developed specified cancers or other medical conditions.
(P.L. 117-139)
The Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act gives the VA’s Office of Inspector General the authority to subpoena witnesses as necessary to carry out the duties of the office. (P.L. 117-136)
DAV supported all of these bills and is pleased that they have become public law.
In addition, on May 18, the U.S. House of Representative passed several other DAV-supported bills, which are now being considered by the Senate.
These include:
* H.R. 5738, the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act.
* H.R. 7335, the MST Claims Coordination Act.
* H.R. 6961, the Dignity for MST Survivors Act.
* H.R. 6064, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations to individuals who submit claims for compensation for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.
* H.R. 2724, the VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act; and
* H.R. 6052, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act.
DAV is closely following these bills and will make efforts to ensure their passage by the U.S. Senate.